Protect people instead of externalising asylum procedures, Seebrüecke advises Italy

Seebrüecke International has asked Italian authorities to protect people instead of externalising asylum procedures.

Seebrüecke said this in reaction to the Italian authorities’ move to circumvent court decision on the country’s pact with Albia on repatriation of asylum seekers.

A statement by Seebrüecke International reads:

In Albania, repatriation centres have been set up on behalf of Italy to detain refugees rescued at sea until their reasons for seeking asylum have been examined. Albania would then be responsible for deportations in the event of rejection.

With this deal, Italy wanted to create an opportunity to prevent refugees from entering Italian – and therefore European – territory to apply for asylum, as required by European and international law.

An Italian court has now stopped this deal for the time being. Last week, Italy picked up 16 people seeking protection in international waters and initially brought them to Albania. 4 of them were allowed to enter Italy for example because they were minors.

On Friday, a court in Rome then ruled that the remaining 12 people must also receive their asylum procedure in Italy, as the countries of origin of the people concerned cannot be considered ‘safe’ across the board.

Prime Minister Meloni is now trying to circumvent the court’s decision. On Monday, the Italian government therefore passed a decree that stipulates that politicians decide on the categorisation of countries as ‘safe’ and that courts can no longer challenge this decision.

For us, one thing is clear: human rights are non-negotiable and the externalisation of external borders must stop! Safe passage and freedom of movement are finally needed for all people! We demand: Protect people instead of externalising asylum procedures!