Archive · 9 Aug 2025
EU Court Ruling Deals Blow to Italy's Asylum Policy
The EU's highest court said Italy can't send asylum seekers to other countries, like Albania, to process their requests.
Italy wanted to do this to manage the large number of people seeking refuge.
The court's problem is that these countries don't always protect human rights for everyone.
Italy's government is not happy with this decision, calling it interference.
Human rights groups also say Italy's approach is not good.
This ruling affects the EU's overall plans for managing migration, which are still being developed.
The CJEU ruled against Italy's offshore asylum policy.
Italy's policy involved processing asylum claims in detention camps in Albania.
The court stated that countries cannot be designated as safe if they don't guarantee human rights for all.
Meloni's government has criticized the ruling, viewing it as EU interference.
Rights groups like Amnesty International criticize Italy's border control externalization.
- Who
- The Court of Justice of the European Union, Italy, asylum seekers.
- What
- A court ruling against Italy's offshore asylum policy.
- When
- August 1, 2024
- Where
- European Union (CJEU)
- Why
- To address Italy's policy of processing asylum claims outside its borders.
Human Rights Advocates
Italian Government
Legality of Asylum Policies
Human Rights Advocates
The CJEU verdict underlines the extent to which the refugee policies pursued by European capitals are at variance with domestic and international law.
Italian Government
Italy's far-right government of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party had determined that, with certain exceptions, Bangladesh was a safe country and that, accordingly, the asylum-seekers in question—petitioners in the instant case—could be returned.
- Court
- Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)
- Policy Addressed
- Italy's offshore asylum policy
- Location of Camps
- Albania
- Key Issue
- Human rights guarantees in 'safe' countries
- Criticism Source
- Amnesty International