Asylum seekers in Italy will in future have to pay 4,938 euros to avoid ending up in deportation centers while their asylum application is being processed. This measure, adopted by the government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is causing controversy and is sharply criticized by opposition parties.
Currently, migrants seeking asylum in Italy can move freely within the country while their asylum claim is examined.
Deposit of 4938 euros
However, the government decision published on Friday states that if their asylum application is rejected and they wish to appeal, they will have to pay a deposit of 4,938 euros to avoid the threat of detention in deportation centers.
This government decision was condemned as inhumane by the opposition parties. “This regulation is illegal because the European Court of Justice already condemned a similar measure by Hungary in 2020. It is a discriminatory, classist and inhumane measure against people fleeing hunger and war,” said the head of the opposition force “Più Europa”, Riccardo Magi.
The maximum duration of detention for deportations has been extended
Meloni’s government announced this week that it would expand the number of deportation centers across the country to detain migrants before their possible repatriation. The government, which wanted to increase the number of deportations of undocumented migrants, also decided to extend the length of detention from three months to 18 months.
The number of return centers should be at least doubled
There are currently ten repatriation centers in Italy with only 619 places. Meloni said she wants to at least double that number and set up a deportation center in each of the country’s 20 regions. However, many regional presidents and mayors from across the political spectrum have said they do not want to set up new centers.
Meloni calls for a ‘global war’ against smugglers
Before the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday evening, Meloni called on all countries to wage a “global war” against human trafficking. Since the beginning of the year, 130,000 people have arrived in Italy by sea.
“It is the duty of this organization to declare global war on human traffickers. To achieve this we must work together at all levels and Italy wants to be at the forefront,” said the Prime Minister, who is coming under increasing pressure in her home country due to the increasing number of refugees.
Source: Krone
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