In its annual report for 2025, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) acknowledges progress in certain areas in recent years, but also highlights worrying signs on the treatment and living conditions of individuals in detention in Europe.

During its visits to immigration detention centres, the CPT continues to find serious shortcomings, including overcrowding, unsuitable premises and poor material conditions.

The report expresses serious concern about the treatment of migrants in vulnerable situations, such as children and mothers with infants, for whom alternatives to detention should be found.

The committee remains also concerned about the credible allegations of so-called “pushbacks”, whereby individuals apprehended by security forces are summarily and forcibly returned across land or sea borders, sometimes involving severe physical violence.

The CPT met with the UNHCR in ongoing dialogues to discuss collaboration and cooperation to prevent ill-treatment in the context of immigration.