Giorgia Meloni, who will meet with Alberto Núñez Feijóo in Rome on Thursday, welcomes anyone who comes to take a photo with her to legitimize her model of fighting against illegal immigration, one of the main pillars of her leadership. Her approach is based on controversial measures that sometimes push the boundaries of international law, criticized by human rights organizations but aspires to become a European reference. She rejects the notion that these are far-right policies, as they have the endorsement of the EU. Over the years, she has had the support of the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and recently, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was “very interested” in her model, visited Rome.
In Italy, the EU continues to follow the controversial formula that was initially scandalous when it was first used with Turkey in 2016: outsourcing border control through significant investments, sometimes under questionable human rights conditions. Italy has agreements with Libya and Tunisia, considered insecure countries, which have received funding from the EU. In return, these countries are responsible for preventing or intercepting immigrants attempting to reach Italy by sea. This strategy has led to a significant decrease in the number of illegal migrant arrivals in Italy this year, with a reduction of over 60%. This shift has moved the migration emergency from Lampedusa to the Canary Islands, showcasing the effectiveness of these tactics.
The model implemented by Meloni has attracted the interest of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, despite his recent decision to cancel his predecessor’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. Meloni’s approach, which involves establishing centers in Albania to house rescued immigrants, has received more acceptance from the EU compared to previous proposals. This initiative, aiming to delegate asylum responsibilities to a third country, presents legal challenges. The two centers planned in Albania, with a capacity for 3,000 people, pose logistical and legal questions regarding their operation and costs. The involvement of NGOs in this process remains uncertain.
Italy’s agreements with Libya and Tunisia, despite their contentious nature and human rights concerns, have consistently been renewed every three years, including the most recent one under Meloni’s government. The focus on border management with these North African countries has had a direct impact on the number of arrivals in Italy. The recent agreement with Tunisia, triggered by a significant influx of migrants, demonstrates the EU’s increasing reliance on partnerships with third countries to address migration challenges. The controversial nature of these agreements highlights the complexities and ethical dilemmas involved in managing migration flows in the Mediterranean region.
One of Meloni’s strategies to reduce overall migrant numbers involves restricting the activities of NGOs conducting rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The government’s decree, passed in December 2022, imposes strict regulations on NGO vessels, requiring them to seek permission before conducting rescues and limiting the number of operations before returning to port. NGOs accuse the Italian government of criminalizing their activities and undermining international maritime rescue laws. The clashes between the government and NGOs, as well as the legal challenges faced by Matteo Salvini for his actions as Interior Minister in 2019, highlight the ongoing debate over border control, human rights, and international law in managing migration in Italy. The implications of these policies on the protection of human rights remain a subject of contention and legal scrutiny.
