Nearly 3,000 migrants are hosted in reception centers in Sardinia. This number has steadily increased in recent years, as evidenced by reports from the Minister of the Interior. A year ago, again in June, there were approximately 2,600, while until 2022, they had not even surpassed the 1,000 mark. This growth is creating difficulties for the various centers, including the one in the former penitentiary school in Monastir, which less than a week ago became a hotspot, causing all the associated management challenges.
The differences
Before the decree, the facility was a CPA, or first reception center, where migrants are generally already identified, divided into categories, and can leave at will. The rules, however, are substantially different for hotspots. These are designated areas and are usually located near a disembarkation point. In the case of Monastir, all those arriving in southern Sardinia are taken: approximately a thousand since the beginning of the year and 150 in June alone, particularly in the areas of Teulada and Sant'Antioco. Once safely disembarked, those arriving undergo medical checks, receive initial assistance, and are briefed on immigration and asylum regulations. They are then screened, pre-identified, and photographed, after being informed of their current status as irregular migrants and their options for applying for international protection. During the wait—generally 48 hours—they cannot leave until they have completed all procedures. This, however, doesn't happen in Monastir, as reported by law enforcement unions. Officers report that they escape by climbing over the walls of the facility, taking advantage of the darkness. Several reportedly fled within hours of their arrival and before they were even identified.
The protests
The change in rules had been controversial from the very first days. The attack on the Carabiniere further reignited the controversy. "Unfortunately, the attack he suffered represents an incident that cannot be considered unforeseeable," reads a statement from SIAP (the Italian Police Union), which expresses its full solidarity with the officer and wishes him a speedy recovery. "We had already reported," it continues, "from the very early stages of activating the Monastir Hotspot, a series of serious organizational, logistical, and operational issues, calling for immediate intervention from the Cagliari Police Chief and our national secretariat, which responsibly engaged with the Department of Public Security. What is most concerning is that such a delicate and complex facility was launched without any prior consultation with the unions representing the personnel called upon to operate in the field on a daily basis. Such involvement would have been crucial to evaluating the deployment methods, safety levels, and sustainability of the entire facility."
The request
The union, in addition to highlighting "the chronic staffing shortage affecting the Cagliari Police Headquarters and provincial offices," announced that it had sent a note to Cagliari's prefect, Paola Dessì, requesting "immediate institutional involvement so that, within the scope of its prerogatives and coordination functions regarding public order and safety, the situation at the facility is carefully assessed and all necessary initiatives are taken to protect the operators working at the Hotspot." Just a few days ago, the prefect himself had opened a discussion with the unions: "We are always available. I constantly monitor the police force's extensive commitment." "We are organizing surveillance, which, however, is never entrusted to a single patrol and has always been 24-hour," announced Police Chief Rosanna Lavezzaro. However, the SIAP reiterated: "We are no longer dealing with a routine security service. We are facing a highly tense situation, a veritable powder keg. We cannot wait for an even more serious event to occur."
