An illegal Albanian migrant in the UK has avoided deportation by invoking his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights, despite having breached deportation orders multiple times and lacking current family ties in Britain. The migrant was deported twice and re-entered the country a third time. A judge overturned a previous ruling that dismissed the migrant's claim of being trafficked from Albania as 'purely fictitious.' This case has sparked debate over the UK’s immigration system and calls for the country to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Similar concerns about deportation policies have been raised in other European countries, including Germany and Sweden, where individuals with criminal records have avoided removal due to legal or procedural issues.

The Court of Appeal in Rome ruled that a Moroccan migrant who applied for asylum cannot be held at the detention center for repatriations (CPR) in Gjader, Albania, and must be returned to Italy. This decision highlights ongoing challenges with the CPR facility in Albania, which has seen only one repatriation despite high costs to Italy. Following the transfer of 40 migrants to Albania, four have already been sent back to Italy amid reports from parliamentarians of serious rights violations at the Gjader center. The situation underscores broader concerns about migrant treatment and repatriation policies involving Italy and Albania.

Recent polling data from Albania and Portugal indicate shifting political landscapes ahead of upcoming elections. In Tirana, Albania, the Socialist Party (PS) led by Edi Rama holds 39.9% of voter support, an increase of 3.7 percentage points, with a projected 19 seats. The Democratic Party (PD) led by Sali Berisha follows with 25.2%, up 0.6 points, projected to secure 12 seats. Other parties include the New Social Movement (NShB) at 6.1%, the Movement for Change (PM) at 6.1%, and the Liberal Bloc (LB) at 3.4%. Notably, 18% of voters remain undecided, a decrease of 6 points. In Portugal, recent polls from Expresso and SIC show the Alliance Democrática (AD) leading ahead of the Socialist Party (PS), although the margin of error indicates a technical tie. AD maintains an advantage in voter conviction, but only 73% of PS supporters are certain of their vote. Despite AD's lead, it does not hold a majority on the right. These polling insights highlight competitive electoral environments in both countries.

The Italian Interior Ministry (Viminale) reported a protest and minor damage at the CPR (Centro di Permanenza per i Rimpatri) in Gjader, Albania. The facility, which has not yet been opened as a prison, currently holds no detainees in its cells. Approximately 40 migrants were transferred to the center last Friday. The ministry emphasized that the damage was limited and no individuals were held in detention at the time of the protest.

On April 11, Italy transferred 40 migrants to Albanian reception centers, which are being repurposed as deportation centers pending their return to their countries of origin. This move has sparked legal concerns within the European Union. Meanwhile, the UK and France are engaged in discussions regarding a migrant returns agreement. British officials are contemplating a pilot scheme that would allow the UK to deport migrants who cross the English Channel in exchange for accepting asylum seekers from France with legitimate claims. The French Interior Ministry has indicated that negotiations are ongoing, which may include a family reunification scheme on a one-for-one basis for migrants crossing the Channel. Additionally, recent reports indicate that 119 migrants attempted to cross the Channel in two boats, while French authorities returned 30 individuals who faced difficulties at sea.

Albania aims to conclude its European Union accession negotiations by 2027, with full membership anticipated by 2030. Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted Albania's rapid progress, having opened 16 out of 33 EU accession chapters within six months, positioning the country as one of the fastest-moving candidates for EU membership. European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the importance of integrating Western Balkan nations like Albania into the EU, citing benefits for peace and prosperity. The recent developments indicate a significant step forward in Albania's EU integration efforts.

An Albanian lesbian couple has won their asylum claim to remain in the United Kingdom, successfully arguing that they would face discrimination and persecution in their home country. The couple's lawyers highlighted Albania's patriarchal and conservative societal norms, which contribute to a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, despite homosexuality being legal in the country. This ruling underscores ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Albania and reflects the UK’s immigration policies regarding asylum seekers facing discrimination based on sexual orientation.

On April 11, Italy transferred 40 migrants whose asylum applications had been rejected to a detention center in Gjader, Albania. This action is part of Italy's efforts to manage illegal immigration, as the country struggles with repatriating migrants, having returned only 4,000 individuals in 2023. The migrants will be held in Italian-run facilities until they are repatriated. The use of handcuffs during the transfer has sparked controversy, with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defending the practice as standard procedure. Critics, including Cardinal Repole, have condemned the treatment of migrants, describing it as a deep wound to humanity. The migrants are all subject to expulsion orders, and their detention period could last up to 18 months under Italian law.

Greece has reaffirmed its recognition of Turkey as a safe third country for asylum seekers, as stated by the Ministry of Migration. Concurrently, Italy is preparing for the fourth transfer of migrants to Albania, where a center has been repurposed for repatriation. The initial transfer is set to occur with two ships carrying a total of 40 migrants. However, the arrival of these migrants has been delayed due to protests at the detention center in Brindisi. The European Court of Justice's Advocate General has indicated that EU member states can designate safe countries for asylum seekers, which supports Italy's strategy for the migrant center in Albania. This advisory opinion allows for legislative designation of safe countries, but mandates that the government must provide justification for such designations. The first ship, the Libra, departed from Brindisi carrying 40 migrants destined for the Gjader center in Albania, which is equipped to accommodate up to 144 migrants.

An illegal Albanian migrant in the UK has avoided deportation by invoking his right to family life under the European Convention on Human Rights, despite having breached deportation orders multiple times and lacking current family ties in Britain. The migrant was deported twice and re-entered the country a third time. A judge overturned a previous ruling that dismissed the migrant's claim of being trafficked from Albania as 'purely fictitious.' This case has sparked debate over the UK’s immigration system and calls for the country to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. Similar concerns about deportation policies have been raised in other European countries, including Germany and Sweden, where individuals with criminal records have avoided removal due to legal or procedural issues.

The Court of Appeal in Rome ruled that a Moroccan migrant who applied for asylum cannot be held at the detention center for repatriations (CPR) in Gjader, Albania, and must be returned to Italy. This decision highlights ongoing challenges with the CPR facility in Albania, which has seen only one repatriation despite high costs to Italy. Following the transfer of 40 migrants to Albania, four have already been sent back to Italy amid reports from parliamentarians of serious rights violations at the Gjader center. The situation underscores broader concerns about migrant treatment and repatriation policies involving Italy and Albania.

Recent polling data from Albania and Portugal indicate shifting political landscapes ahead of upcoming elections. In Tirana, Albania, the Socialist Party (PS) led by Edi Rama holds 39.9% of voter support, an increase of 3.7 percentage points, with a projected 19 seats. The Democratic Party (PD) led by Sali Berisha follows with 25.2%, up 0.6 points, projected to secure 12 seats. Other parties include the New Social Movement (NShB) at 6.1%, the Movement for Change (PM) at 6.1%, and the Liberal Bloc (LB) at 3.4%. Notably, 18% of voters remain undecided, a decrease of 6 points. In Portugal, recent polls from Expresso and SIC show the Alliance Democrática (AD) leading ahead of the Socialist Party (PS), although the margin of error indicates a technical tie. AD maintains an advantage in voter conviction, but only 73% of PS supporters are certain of their vote. Despite AD's lead, it does not hold a majority on the right. These polling insights highlight competitive electoral environments in both countries.

The Italian Interior Ministry (Viminale) reported a protest and minor damage at the CPR (Centro di Permanenza per i Rimpatri) in Gjader, Albania. The facility, which has not yet been opened as a prison, currently holds no detainees in its cells. Approximately 40 migrants were transferred to the center last Friday. The ministry emphasized that the damage was limited and no individuals were held in detention at the time of the protest.

On April 11, Italy transferred 40 migrants to Albanian reception centers, which are being repurposed as deportation centers pending their return to their countries of origin. This move has sparked legal concerns within the European Union. Meanwhile, the UK and France are engaged in discussions regarding a migrant returns agreement. British officials are contemplating a pilot scheme that would allow the UK to deport migrants who cross the English Channel in exchange for accepting asylum seekers from France with legitimate claims. The French Interior Ministry has indicated that negotiations are ongoing, which may include a family reunification scheme on a one-for-one basis for migrants crossing the Channel. Additionally, recent reports indicate that 119 migrants attempted to cross the Channel in two boats, while French authorities returned 30 individuals who faced difficulties at sea.

Albania aims to conclude its European Union accession negotiations by 2027, with full membership anticipated by 2030. Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted Albania's rapid progress, having opened 16 out of 33 EU accession chapters within six months, positioning the country as one of the fastest-moving candidates for EU membership. European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the importance of integrating Western Balkan nations like Albania into the EU, citing benefits for peace and prosperity. The recent developments indicate a significant step forward in Albania's EU integration efforts.

An Albanian lesbian couple has won their asylum claim to remain in the United Kingdom, successfully arguing that they would face discrimination and persecution in their home country. The couple's lawyers highlighted Albania's patriarchal and conservative societal norms, which contribute to a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, despite homosexuality being legal in the country. This ruling underscores ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Albania and reflects the UK’s immigration policies regarding asylum seekers facing discrimination based on sexual orientation.

On April 11, Italy transferred 40 migrants whose asylum applications had been rejected to a detention center in Gjader, Albania. This action is part of Italy's efforts to manage illegal immigration, as the country struggles with repatriating migrants, having returned only 4,000 individuals in 2023. The migrants will be held in Italian-run facilities until they are repatriated. The use of handcuffs during the transfer has sparked controversy, with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defending the practice as standard procedure. Critics, including Cardinal Repole, have condemned the treatment of migrants, describing it as a deep wound to humanity. The migrants are all subject to expulsion orders, and their detention period could last up to 18 months under Italian law.

Greece has reaffirmed its recognition of Turkey as a safe third country for asylum seekers, as stated by the Ministry of Migration. Concurrently, Italy is preparing for the fourth transfer of migrants to Albania, where a center has been repurposed for repatriation. The initial transfer is set to occur with two ships carrying a total of 40 migrants. However, the arrival of these migrants has been delayed due to protests at the detention center in Brindisi. The European Court of Justice's Advocate General has indicated that EU member states can designate safe countries for asylum seekers, which supports Italy's strategy for the migrant center in Albania. This advisory opinion allows for legislative designation of safe countries, but mandates that the government must provide justification for such designations. The first ship, the Libra, departed from Brindisi carrying 40 migrants destined for the Gjader center in Albania, which is equipped to accommodate up to 144 migrants.