Overview

• The Italian government’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania faces another setback as a court orders the return of 43 migrants to Italy.
• The migrants, mostly from Bangladesh and Egypt, were transferred to Albania under a controversial agreement signed in 2023 to house and process migrants outside EU borders.
• Italian judges referred the case to the European Court of Justice, questioning the legality of the safe country designations used to justify the transfers.
• This marks the third failed attempt since October to implement the policy, which has faced criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties in Italy.
• The European Court of Justice is expected to rule on the legality of the scheme by February 25, potentially determining its future viability.