The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today a report on an ad hoc visit conducted in Italy to examine the situation of foreign nationals deprived of their liberty in the so-called “hotspots” and immigration detention centres, in a context of large-scale arrivals from North Africa. The CPT recognises the significant challenges faced by the Italian authorities regarding the influx of new arrivals by sea. It also acknowledges the substantial efforts in carrying out rescue operations and in providing shelter and support to the hundreds of thousands of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants currently present in the country. In this framework, the CPT recalls the need for a co-ordinated European approach and support system to address the phenomenon of mass migratory arrivals.
CPT’s delegation visited the “hotspots” in Lampedusa, Pozzallo and in Trapani (Milo), as well as a mobile “hotspot” unit at Augusta’s port. Further, it was able to observe a disembarkation procedure at Trapani’s harbour. The Council of Europe experts also visited the closed removal centres (Centri di Permanenza per i Rimpatri, CPRs) in Caltanissetta, Ponte Galeria (Rome) and Turin, as well as holding facilities at Rome Fiumicino’s Airport.
