The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recently denied involvement in the identification process of migrants transferred to Italian centers in Albania, following claims by an Italian minister. This statement arose in response to comments made by Italy’s Minister for Parliamentary Relations, Luca Ciriani, during a parliamentary session on October 23. Ciriani suggested that UNHCR was part of the migrant identification team on the Italian Navy’s ship Libra, where 79 rescued migrants were assessed.
According to Ciriani, this team was composed of cultural mediators, medical staff from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and a police officer. He claimed that UNHCR was involved in evaluating the vulnerabilities of migrants selected for transfer to Albania. However, UNHCR clarified in a later statement that, while it monitors the Italy-Albania agreement independently, it plays no role in identifying individuals among those transferred. This clarification is part of the agency’s commitment to transparency in monitoring migrant treatment.
UNHCR emphasized that its role is limited to observing the processes and treatment of migrants transferred to Albania, ensuring these follow the guidelines of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The agency conducts ad hoc missions to review the identification, health screenings, and vulnerability checks. However, it reiterated that it does not conduct or directly influence any identification activities, aligning strictly with its mandate.
Minister Ciriani detailed the onboard screening process for the migrants, stating that medical examinations and assessments were conducted by IOM personnel. Additionally, each individual was interviewed in their own language to identify any vulnerabilities, including physical and psychological concerns. During the journey, the migrants were provided with medical assistance, meals, and essential supplies, and they received information about their rights.
Upon arrival in Albania, additional screenings and health checks were conducted. Four migrants were found to need specialized care. Two Bangladeshi nationals later identified themselves as minors, while two Egyptians were deemed unfit for life in a restricted environment due to health conditions. These individuals were subsequently transported to Italy’s reception system, under the guidance of an IOM cultural mediator.
UNHCR stated it would monitor the Italy-Albania migration procedures for an initial three-month period. After this, the agency plans to publish findings and make policy recommendations based on its observations. UNHCR also clarified that it neither participated in the negotiation of the Italy-Albania agreement nor received funding from parties involved in its development.
This clarification by UNHCR reflects the agency’s commitment to safeguarding refugee rights and observing international agreements independently. Their role strictly remains within observation, separate from Italy’s operational control over migrant identification under this arrangement.