British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with far-right Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss irregular immigration has drawn criticism from members of his left-leaning Labour Party. Starmer, who has promised to fight illegal immigration, has faced backlash for seeking advice from a neo-fascist government.
The visit came amid far-right riots in the UK targeting mosques and migrant accommodation centers, highlighting the contentious issue of undocumented migrants crossing the English Channel. The dangerous journey has resulted in several deaths, including a recent incident where a boat carrying 60 people crashed on rocks.
Despite rejecting a previous plan to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda, Starmer has not ruled out offshore processing of asylum claims. Italy has agreements with Albania and Tunisia to process claims, with rejected applicants being sent back to their countries of origin.
Meloni’s government has also worked with Libya to crack down on refugee departures. This policy has been criticized by human rights groups for sending refugees back to Libya, where they face torture and abuse.
During the visit, Starmer commended efforts to prevent people from traveling in the first place, noting the decrease in refugee arrivals to Italy this year. The Ministry of the Interior reported a significant drop in sea arrivals compared to the previous year.
As the UK grapples with immigration challenges, the meeting with Italy’s far-right government has raised concerns about the tactics being considered and the potential human rights implications of such policies.
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