Italy Approves Bill Allowing Naval Blockades Against Migrant Vessels

(MENAFN) Italy’s government has passed legislation authorizing the use of “naval blockades” to prevent migrant boats from entering the country during periods of “exceptional pressure” at its borders. The measure, approved Wednesday by the Cabinet, represents another step by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration to tighten controls on irregular migration.

Under the bill, access to Italian territorial waters can be restricted for up to 30 days, extendable to six months in cases posing serious threats to public order or national security, such as potential terrorist activity or infiltration. The law allows authorities to implement a naval blockade in situations of extreme migratory pressure that could compromise the secure management of Italy’s borders.

Migrants intercepted at sea under these conditions may be transferred to third countries—excluding their nations of origin—with which Italy has special agreements. Reports indicate that this provision is designed to support the Italy-Albania migration protocol signed on November 6, 2023. The agreement envisions rescued migrants being held in two Italian-managed centers in Albania while their asylum claims are processed, though the protocol has not yet been implemented due to administrative rulings by Italian and European courts.

The new migration package also includes stricter border monitoring and enhanced coordination with European agencies. It comes a day after the European Union approved its updated migration and asylum framework, which Rome intends to implement promptly.

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