UK Home Secretary to meet with Italian officials to address illegal migrant influx

British Home Secretary James Cleverly is in Rome to discuss joint efforts to combat illegal migration from North Africa, following the tragic news of five migrants dying in an attempt to cross the English Channel. Cleverly’s visit comes on the heels of the UK parliament passing the controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill, which will result in some illegal migrants being deported to Rwanda.

“This vital legislation means we can now proceed with our Rwanda plan and begin removing people with no right to be here,” Cleverly stated. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has indicated that the first deportation flight could leave the UK in 10-12 weeks. However, human rights groups have raised concerns about the bill potentially facing legal challenges, as similar legislation was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court in November.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has also criticized the bill, stating that it hinders the rule of law and could impact the human rights and dignity of refugees and migrants seeking protection. Despite these criticisms, Cleverly is set to meet with Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi in Lampedusa to discuss collaborative efforts to crack down on irregular migration.

Italy has previously announced plans to open third country migrant processing centers in Albania, a move that was approved by the Albanian government earlier this year. The discussions between Cleverly and Piantedosi highlight the ongoing efforts of European countries to address the complex issue of illegal migration and ensure the protection of human rights for all individuals involved.