Italian court scraps Riace exclusion from refugee protection system
A court in Calabria has ruled that it was wrong of the interior ministry to exclude the town of Riace from its refugee and asylum seeker protection system, known as SPRAR.
court ruling
ECJ: Refugees cannot automatically be deported after committing crimes
The European Court of Justice has ruled that countries cannot deport people who would be in serious danger in their countries of origin, even if they commit crimes. However, they could lose their refugee status.
EU countries put pressure on refugee sea rescue missions
A court in Malta has fined a German captain for sailing an improperly registered rescue ship to save displaced people on the Mediterranean Sea. Malta and Italy have repeatedly closed ports to volunteer rescue ships.
Authorities must avoid stereotypes and generalizations when assessing asylum claims, Italy's high court rules
It is not legal to reject asylum requests on the basis of generic "international sources," Italy's highest court has ruled. Instead, the authorities must avoid "stereotyped formulas" and seek out "updated information" on the safety situation in the country of origin.
Italy's high court rules on gay migrant who was denied asylum
The Italian Supreme Court of Cassation has ruled in favor of a homosexual migrant from the Ivory Coast. He had been denied refugee status in Italy even though he said he faced serious threats from his family back home.
Riace mayor still banned from residing in town
The court of appeals has upheld a residency ban on suspended mayor Domenico Lucano. Lucano is being accused of fraud, of aiding and abetting clandestine immigration, and of abuse of office. The former mayor has insisted that he is innocent.
Refugee denied payout in deportation detention case
An Afghan refugee in Germany has unsuccesfully sued for compensation after being held in prison for 27 days. Both the federal government and the state of Bavaria have been absolved of wrongdoing.
Italy: Three 20-year sentences for 'Ferragosto Massacre'
The Italian Supreme Court of Cassation has definitively confirmed sentences of 20 years in jail for three human traffickers responsible for a boat rescued in the Strait of Sicily carrying 313 migrants as well as the bodies of another 49 migrants who died during the crossing. The rescue took place in the summer of 2015 and the event is known as the "Ferragosto Massacre", Ferragosto being an Italian holiday on August 15.
Court of cassation says no fraud by Riace mayor Lucano
The highest Italian court of cassation has ruled that Riace Mayor Domenico Lucano did not commit fraud. The judges also annulled the residency ban against Lucano in Riace.
Lombardy region in Italy discriminates against migrants on baby bonus, court
An Italian court has found a resolution by the Lombardy regional council to be discriminatory against migrants. The resolution limits access to regional 'baby bonuses' to households in which both parents have been living in the region for 5 consecutive years prior to the baby's birth.
Alleged traffickers on 2015 shipwreck acquitted in Italy
Seven migrants accused of aiding and abetting clandestine migration and multiple homicide were acquitted by the Palermo Court of Assizes. The case was over their role in the August 2015 shipwreck in which at least 56 people lost their lives.
Salvini decree not retroactive for humanitarian permits
The Italian Cassation Court said the Salvini decree, which tightened the criteria on issuing stay permits for migrants, is not retroactively applicable. Therefore, applications presented prior to the decree's implementation must be considered under the previous regulations.