Italy Rome's migrant policy in spotlight

18 Sep 2009 |

reports that on the same day as Human Rights Watch published its report “Pushed Back, Pushed Around” with interviews of 91 migrants and asylum seekers in Italy and Malta on Italy’s “push back policy”, UNHCR and the EC have both expressed concern about the situation of asylum seekers in Libya. Both Mr. Guterres, representing UNHCR and Mr. Barrot, Justice and Security Commissioner have expressed strong reservations over Italy’s “push-back” policy, saying that conditions in Libya did not provide safeguards to protect asylum seekers. The Italian government’s special envoy for humanitarian emergencies, Margherita Boniver, admitted conditions in Libya were problematic but said efforts were being made to rectify the situation, like inspections and recommendations, while Libya could face penalties until its mistreatment of migrants ends.