Judges in the European Union’s apex court ruled on Friday that Italy may rapidly track the exile, if it fulfills certain conditions, designates it as “safe”.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) was asked whether there is a quick refuge process that allows authorities to repay the migrants quickly from countries who do not face war or significant crises.
If the authorities disclose the sources for their assessment, the court ruled, the European Union rural is allowed to nominate safe countries of origin for fast-track refuge processes.
“Sources of information about the discovery of a designation must be sufficiently accessible to the applicant and to be the jurisdiction for the court or tribunal,” The top court of the European Union wrote.
A second situation by the court is that a state can only be designated as a safe country of origin if it provides adequate protection to the entire population including minorities.
The Luxembourg-based court said that the fast-track process does not violate the European Union law, the designation of safe countries should be subject to judicial inquiry so that the migrants can challenge the decisions made on their refuge claims.
How did Italy react?
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the ECJ’s decision on the classification of safe countries of origin. He said that the decision banned the already limited room for the exercises of governments.
“This is a step that everyone should worry,” said Meloni. “The court’s decision weakens the policy to combat illegal collective immigration and protect national borders.”
Why did the European court asked to pronounce a verdict?
Two Bangladeshi citizens, who were rescued by the Italian Navy last year, were taken to a detention center in Albania.
As Bangladesh is in a list of the country, Italy considers safe, a quick assessment was given before rejecting their claim to asylum.
However, last year the Italian court stated that Bangladesh and Egyptian migrants could not be refunded immediately because those countries are not safe enough.
In the Rome District Court, judges, who referred to Luxembourg to the case, would have to say whether the process was correctly implemented for two Bangladeshi Nationals.
Why was the migrants sent to Albania?
In Albania, the fast-track process and expansion migrants were introduced by the government of Meloni in an attempt to curb the number of migrants entering the country.
Both policies have faced intensive criticism. Italian courts ruled against the policies and referred to several cases in the European Union’s top court in Luxembourg for clarification.
The opposition politician argues that the scheme is expensive, complex and harmful for the rights of migrants. Given the process in Albania, a non-governmental delegation says it illegally deprives migrants of assistance along with claims of asylum.
Scene edited by Sinico
