The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, has agreed to monitor the first three months of the Italy-Albania agreement, which involves processing some migrants’ asylum requests at holding centers in Albania. This move comes despite the agency’s initial concerns and reservations about the accord.
UNHCR clarified that it was not a party to the deal and had requested further details about its implementation. Nevertheless, the agency stated on Wednesday that it would oversee the agreement to help “safeguard the rights and dignity of those subject to it.” The UNHCR’s role will include advising migrants on their right to seek asylum and ensuring that the procedures align with international human rights standards.
The five-year deal, signed last year, allows Albania to host up to 3,000 male migrants rescued in international waters while Italy fast-tracks their asylum claims. Although the agreement was supposed to begin this month, delays in constructing two new detention centers in Albania have postponed its start.
Italy’s right-wing government has promoted the deal as a model for sharing Europe’s migrant responsibilities and deterring potential refugees. The European Commission has also supported the agreement. However, human rights groups have criticized the arrangement as outsourcing Italy’s legal obligations to process asylum requests, with some Italian opposition members labeling the centers as “Italy’s Guantanamo.”
UNHCR emphasized that its monitoring mission would be independently funded, ensuring impartiality, and would provide recommendations after three months. The agreement stipulates that migrants will initially be screened aboard rescue ships, with vulnerable individuals sent to Italy and others to Albania for further processing.
UNHCR and other organizations have raised concerns about the onboard screenings and whether vulnerable migrants will be properly identified. They have also questioned the adequacy of legal representation for migrants in Albania.
Chiara Cardoletti, UNHCR’s Italy director, previously highlighted the complexities of providing legal representation to migrants housed in Albania and noted the lack of established protocols for repatriating those not eligible for asylum. She also suggested that more resources be allocated to strengthening Italy’s migrant processing centers.
The two Albanian centers, fully funded and operated by Italy, will cost 670 million euros ($730 million) over five years. While Italy will manage the facilities, Albanian guards will provide external security.
UNHCR’s decision to monitor the agreement was announced ahead of Italy’s interior minister’s annual update on security issues, including migration. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi reported a 20% increase in the repatriation of migrants not eligible for asylum this year, while new migrant arrivals in Italy have significantly decreased compared to the previous year.
