(Adnkronos) – Naval blockades to halt migrant boats posing “a serious threat to national security” and immediate expulsion for migrants convicted of serious crimes are among crucial “innovations” in a bill approved by Italy’s cabinet, foreign minister Antonio Tajani wrote late Wednesday on X.
“Naval blockades in the event of a serious threat to national security, new rules for detention centres, immediate expulsion for those convicted of serious crimes,” read the post.
“These are the most important innovations contained in the bill approved by the government, in line with the European Pact on migration and asylum and with the European Parliament vote that has indicated the list of safe countries of origin,” the post added.
Italy’s rightwing premier Giorgia Meloni hailed the bill as “extremely significant for the fight against illegal mass immigration and human trafficking”.
The European Parliament this week approved changes to EU asylum rules, paving the way for fast-track asylum rejections without review and the possible transfer of asylum-seekers to countries with which they no or little connection.
The list of safe countries approved by the European Parliament includes Egypt and Tunisia, whose human rights records have come under scrutiny.
The changes to the EU’s Asylum Procedures Regulation comes as anti-migration sentiment has mounted across the bloc over the past decade since an influx of over a million refugees and migrants in 2015-2016, boosting support for far-right parties.
The new rules, a response to pressure from member states including Italy for a tougher approach to migration, have drawn strong criticism from humanitarian groups. The groups say the move could lead to human rights violations and contravene a 1951 convention that prevents the return of asylum-seekers to a country where they could be in danger.
The changes stem from the Migration Pact – a set of EU rules and processes for handling migration approved in 2023, which are due to be fully implemented in June.
