Progress report on the implementation of the hotspots in Italy

On 29 September 2015, the Commission adopted a Communication outlining the immediate operational, budgetary and legal measures under the European Agenda on Migration, and calling for the full roll-out of the Relocation Scheme and Migration Management Support Teams working in 'hotspot' areas. At the request of the Commission, Italy soon after submitted its Roadmap for relocation and for the Support Teams for the 'hotspots'.

However, the implementation of European Union Law with regard to building a Common European Asylum System has been proceeding too slowly in the Member States. As a result, on 14 October, the Commission presented a Communication on the state of play of the implementation of the Priority Actions under the European Agenda on Migration. In particular, the Commission called on Italy to operationalise all hotspots on schedule, to ensure full use of the existing detention capacity and consider reforms of existing norms regarding detention, as well as a swift transfer of migrants from the hotspot areas to the second-line reception facilities, or to detention facilities.

Despite consistent encouragements by the Commission, at present only one of the six designated hotspot areas is fully operational, in Lampedusa. The Commission expects that two other facilities, namely Pozzallo and Porto Empedocle/Villa Sikania, will be opened as soon as the Italian Government gives its agreement. Relevant European agencies are alerted and ready to deploy additional staff as needed. The roll-out of hotspots in Taranto, Trapani and Augusta require major works and will not be ready before early 2016. In these locations, reception capacities have to be built as registration is currently happening in tents and there is no place to accommodate people.

The current relatively low level of arrivals provides an opportunity to ensure that the hotspot concept is thoroughly rolled out and that any shortcomings identified so far are addressed. Infrastructure, equipment, staffing, and the organisation of the hotspot have to be stepped up. It should be ensured that the hotspots are as efficient as possible to cover screening, documents check, fingerprinting and registration. The implementation of the hotspot concept will also guarantee that migrants are properly informed and channelled to either the asylum procedure (including relocation) or return procedures. Security features should be improved as a matter of priority.

The formal opening of further hotspot locations is essential to guarantee that all migrants disembarked in Italy go through this hotspot procedure. The effectiveness of hotspots at times of high demand will also depend on the readiness of Member States to deploy more experts to Italy. In parallel, further efforts are needed by the Italian government on the legal framework for hotspot activities of all stakeholders working on the ground. A Commission team of 3 officials is now permanently stationed in Italy to assist coordination.

Effective hotspots are also essential to make relocation work. At the same time, the active participation of all participating Member States is an obligation. In parallel, eligible asylum seekers must be adequately informed about their rights and obligations to participate in the scheme. Until now, only 19 Member States have appointed Liaison Officers to facilitate the implementation of the relocation scheme and only 12 Member States have made places available for relocation candidates – a total of 1,041 places. The pace of relocation needs to be stepped up in view of the 154 asylum applicants relocated so far from Italy.

ESO: Background information: Refugee Crisis: European Commission reports on progress in implementation of priority actions http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-refugee-crisis-european-commission-reports-on-progress-in-implementation-of-priority-actions/

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