Italy's detention centers face condemnation from Europe's anti-torture watchdog

In December 2024, the Council of Europe released a report highlighting serious issues in Italy's migrant detention centers following an inspection in April. The report criticized the treatment of migrants at four facilities in Milan, Gradisca, Potenza, and Rome, noting instances of physical violence, excessive use of force, and the administration of unprescribed psychotropic drugs. Under Italian law, the centers are designed for migrants without visas or asylum rights, who are classified as 'socially dangerous' by authorities. Prior to the report, Italy had defended the role of these centers in preventing illegal migration and had extended the maximum detention period from three months to eighteen months in 2023, heightening concerns over the detained individuals' welfare. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) pointed out the lack of rigorous oversight and transparent documentation of injuries inflicted upon detainees, raising alarms about the centers operating without adequate monitoring. The CPT also discovered widespread practices of over-medication in the Potenza center and noted frequent handcuffing during detainee transfers, which further emphasized the strict security measures in place. These issues appear even more alarming given the context of a broader European conversation about the treatment of migrants and the responsibilities of European nations in managing migration flows. Amidst ongoing criticism, the Italian government has sought to promote its detention model abroad, including an initiative with Albania to establish migrant holding centers. However, this aspect of Italy's approach has faced significant legal challenges and scrutiny. The death of a young detainee at the Ponte Galeria center earlier this year intensified public outrage and concern regarding the conditions inside these facilities, described by activists as 'black holes' for human rights violations. In the wake of the recent report, Italian officials stated that allegations of ill-treatment had not led to criminal investigations, shedding light on existing gaps in accountability and oversight. The report's conclusions suggest that the present model of migrant detention in Italy is inherently flawed, with implications not only for Italy's own practices but also for its plans to export such models abroad. Human rights advocates have redoubled their calls for reform, as the current state of detention centers raises fundamental questions about the treatment of vulnerable populations and the responsibilities of governments to uphold human rights standards. The findings of the CPT compel a closer examination of both Italy's internal policies and its intentions on the international stage regarding migrant welfare and rights.