UK Explores Italian Asylum Model: Challenges and Limitations Revealed

Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK's Labour Party, has reportedly expressed interest in Italy's plan to process asylum seekers offshore in Albania during a recent visit to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This development comes as the UK government grapples with increasing illegal immigration rates.

Italy has seen a notable 62% decrease in illegal arrivals as of July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This success has caught the attention of British politicians seeking solutions to their own immigration challenges.

However, experts caution that replicating Italy's approach in the UK context may prove challenging. The Italian plan, which involves processing asylum seekers in Albania, is yet to be fully implemented. Facilities in Albania, initially scheduled to open in summer 2024, are now expected to begin operations in autumn 2024.

Italy's success in reducing immigration is largely attributed to the Mattei Plan, named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of Italy's national oil company Eni. This initiative involves substantial investments in African countries to address root causes of migration. Additionally, Italy cooperates with Libya for "pull backs" of migrant vessels, a practice that raises human rights concerns.

The UK faces significant obstacles in adopting similar strategies. Unlike Italy's relationship with Libya, France is unlikely to conduct "pull backs" in the English Channel. Moreover, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which the UK has been a party to since 1959, limits certain actions in managing asylum seekers.

"We should invest aid money in the countries where asylum seekers come from to reduce the desire to migrate."

While Foreign Secretary David Lammy has proposed a plan similar to Italy's Mattei Plan, its effectiveness for the UK is questionable. Many source countries for UK asylum seekers, such as Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, are not viable for investment, while others like Vietnam are already experiencing economic growth.

The Albanian offshoring plan, which involves intercepting boats and processing asylum claims in Albania, may not serve as a deterrent for the UK due to its high rate of asylum grants. This approach could potentially increase costs and complexity without addressing the core issues.

Giorgia Meloni, who became Italy's first female Prime Minister in October 2022, has faced criticism from some Labour backbenchers. However, her meeting with Starmer highlights the ongoing search for effective immigration policies.

The UK government finds itself in a challenging position. By cancelling the Rwanda plan and recommitting to the ECHR, which has been in force since 1953, their options for managing asylum seekers have become limited. The expansion of human rights law has narrowed the scope for government action, unless there's a willingness to directly challenge these legal frameworks.

As the debate continues, it's clear that finding a solution that balances humanitarian obligations with effective border control remains a complex and contentious issue for the UK.