Overview
- The European Court of Justice ruled that Italy may fast-track asylum rejections only if its ‘safe country’ designations meet strict legal standards and allow applicants and courts to access and challenge the supporting evidence.
- The court held that a country cannot be classified as ‘safe’ unless it offers adequate protection to its entire population.
- Italy’s detention centres in Albania have remained empty amid successive legal challenges, and the ECJ judgment casts fresh doubt on their future use.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government condemned the ruling as an encroachment on its authority and is exploring further legal and technical options.
- Amnesty International described the decision as a heavy blow to the Italy-Albania migration deal and urged EU authorities to enforce transparent, judicially reviewable asylum safeguards.