Italy Approves Decree for Migrant Repatriation

Italy's government has enacted a new decree to resolve legal challenges to its controversial migration agreement with Albania, reducing the list of 'safe' countries from 22 to 19 by excluding Cameroon, Colombia, and Nigeria. This change is aimed at facilitating the repatriation of migrants who are denied asylum, following a court ruling that deemed the repatriation of 12 migrants from Bangladesh and Egypt unsafe. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni supports the deal as a model for managing illegal immigration, despite criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts who warn of potential conflicts with EU laws. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi emphasized that the new decree aligns with European Court of Justice rulings, aiming for clearer legal standards on safe countries. The decree is seen as a response to the judiciary's recent challenge to the government's plan to send migrants to Albania for processing. Concerns about future legal issues persist, as the decree's ability to withstand EU regulations remains uncertain.