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Human Rights Watch has accused Italy and the EU of being \u201ccomplicit\u201d in crimes carried out against migrants in Libya, reporting cases of \u201cmurder, enforced disappearance, torture, enslavement, sexual violence, rape, and other inhumane acts\u201d in the north African country.<\/p>\n
The EU\u2019s outgoing foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reportedly wrote of the \u201cincomprehension\u201d of some member states over the deal struck by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Tunisia, due to a sharp deterioration in its democracy.<\/p>\n
Tunisia’s President Kais Saied has suspended parliament, while opposition MPs, journalists and lawyers have been arrested.<\/p>\n
Some members of the European Parliament have complained of \u201cbankrolling dictators across the region”.<\/p>\n
In Rome, Sir Keir is likely to hear about the range of measures Italy is taking to counter irregular migration, including reception centres it is building in neighbouring Albania, which are due to open later this year after some delays.<\/p>\n
The two centres, funded and managed by Italy, could hold up to 36,000 migrants per year. While there, they will be able to apply for asylum in Italy. If refused, they will face deportation.<\/p>\n
While the Albanian government has suggested that such a deal is only with Italy, its closest ally in Europe, Sir Keir has shown interest in the outsourcing model, holding talks with his Italian and Albanian counterparts at the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace in July.<\/p>\n
Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the BBC on Sunday that the prime minister would discuss with Meloni the work Italy had done on migration, “particularly with Albania”.<\/p>\n
Lammy said that because Italy\u2019s arrival numbers had reduced, “we are interested” in discussing the country\u2019s schemes, not just with Albania, but with Syria and Libya as well.<\/p>\n
Alberto-Horst Neidhardt, a migration specialist at the European Policy Centre thinktank, said that \u201cBritain is exposed to the consequences of decisions in the EU, without having a say \u2013 and that weakens its capacity to manage migration flows\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite difficult for the previous British government to seek effective solutions with France \u2013 and so it makes sense to turn to Italy for this new prime minister.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meloni was probably Rishi Sunak\u2019s closest ally in Europe. Both right-wingers, their political chemistry was clear, with Sunak calling her \u201ca lovely person\u201d after their last meeting at the G7 summit.<\/p>\n
His successor may not be such a natural political fit for Meloni \u2013 but she is arguably the EU\u2019s strongest right-wing leader and Starmer knows that to solve the migration challenge, all roads lead to Rome.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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