In the repatriation detention centers in Italy, migrants are " mistreated and sedated with psychotropic drugs ." This is what the Council of Europe denounces in a report drawn up after a visit conducted between April 2 and 12 in 4 of the 9 operational centers in Italy, located respectively in Milan, Gradisca, Potenza and Rome.
The Council of Europe's anti-torture body, the CPT, says it " has found several cases of alleged physical ill-treatment and excessive use of force by police officers ."
Furthermore, the report highlights "the widespread practice of administering non-prescribed psychotropic drugs diluted in water , as documented in the Potenza centre".
More generally, the Committee is " highly critical of the physical layout and design of the CPRs and in particular of the prison environment, which could be considered similar to those observed by the Committee in detention units housing prisoners under special regimes. Examples of such elements include triple metal screens on windows and external cage-like structures. Other shortcomings identified include the poor quality of food provided to detainees and the shortage of supplies of toiletries".
The CPT had "the clear impression that the high rate of critical events and violence recorded within the CPRs was a direct consequence of the disproportionate security restrictions, the lack of individual risk assessments of foreign nationals and the fact that detainees were effectively provided with nothing to occupy their time".
(Online Union)
