Invitation to a transnational mobilization across Europe Open Assembly in Rome, 15th -16th March 2025

The Network Against Migrant Detention is a transnational coalition of activists calling for the abolition of administrative detention for migrants in Italy, Albania, across Europe and everywhere. We believe in the urgent need to build a broad collective movement capable of challenging all forms of administrative detention and the societal model it represents.

This purpose-driven coalition was established in Italy last year in response to the securitarian policies of the Meloni government. These policies include the reinforcement of detention centers for migrants and the Rama-Meloni Protocol, which initiated the construction of an Italian-run hotspot and detention center on Albanian soil. This agreement, valid for five years, demands continued scrutiny and firm opposition as it seeks to become a precedent for similar models across Europe.

After a national assembly in Bologna last October, which gathered hundreds of participants and various organizations, we organized two significant days of protests on December 1–2 in Albania. Together with Albanian collectives, activists, and allies from other territories, we expressed our dissent by demonstrating both at detention sites and key governmental institutions in Tirana, including the Italian Embassy, the Albanian Prime Minister’s Office, and the House of Europe.

Links to the statement: municipiozero.it, meltingpot.org

The Italy-Albania Protocol is just the tip of the iceberg of anti-migrant populist policies, primarily supported by the numerous conservative and sovereignist governments in Europe and beyond, with the backing of big capital — as evidenced by Elon Musk’s support for Giorgia Meloni on immigration issues and for the worst European neofascist right.

However, these policies also receive support from liberal forces, who, instead of opposing the populist and illiberal drift, end up granting it political and legal legitimacy, continuing in the footsteps of previous policies, as highlighted by the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will come into effect in 2026.

We believe in the importance of building alliances and creating a broad, shared social mobilization capable of tackling the challenges of our time.

February 25 – Luxembourg

On the occasion of the publication of the European Court of Justice ruling on the definition of Safe Countries of Origin, we will organize a press conference as NADM to express our position. At the same time, coordinated territorial protests will be held in various Italian cities.

March 15-16 – Rome

We invite you to a transnational public assembly to discuss and build a common mobilization in Europe. During the two-day event, we will also propose an action against administrative detention to denounce institutional violence and promote concrete alternatives.

Proposal to be discussed at the assembly:

May 9-10-11 – Albania

In conjunction with the first stage of the Giro d’Italia, hosted this year in Albania, we propose organizing a transnational mobilization against the Rama-Meloni Protocol. This will be a symbolic and strategic event, which could attract the attention of millions of people worldwide, transforming media visibility into a space for denunciation and shared struggle.

To stay in touch, be added to the mailing list, and join the organizational chat, please send an email to:
againstmigrantdetention@gmail.com along with 1–2 contact persons from your organization.

ABOLISH DETENTION CENTERS FOR MIGRANTS IN EUROPE AND BEYOND!