The ANNOTICO Report

OK, so it's a slight exaggeration, But Amnesty International "alleges" that
Detention Centers for those who have violated the borders, and are
apprehended, are not "comfortable" enough.

Amnesty International readily acknowledges that States have a sovereign
right to control the entry, residence and expulsion of foreigners on their
territory.

And while I don't advocate it, I offer as an analogy: If a Burglar breaks
into your home, you are entitled to SHOOT them!

If those Burglars are apprehended by law enforcement, as in any country,
they are put in Jails, Not sent to a Hotel Resort!!

Further, AI alleges that people in temporary holding centres have been
subjected to physical assault by law enforcement officers and supervisory
staff,  and to excessive and abusive administration of sedative and
tranquilizing drugs, while at the same time admitting the Italian
authorities are faced with high tension in the centres, encouraged by the
detainees advocates, resulting in frequent protests, including escape
attempts, and high levels of self-harm.

AI complain that Riots are met with reasonable force, and Wildly Unruly
Detainees are sedated.

Is AI suggesting throwing flowers and playing soothing music instead??

Additionally, Amnesty International offers NO EVIDENCE of any Inhumane
Treatment, only Speculation.

And this I like the best. AI seeking to put the most favorable light on the
"intruders" generically by classifying them all as "asylum seekers" and
bemoans the fact that "they" experience difficulty in gaining access to the
asylum determination process while detained.

Why didn't the "asylum seekers" apply at the Italian Consul in their
country of Origin, where the facts could be ascertained SO much more
quickly, or in any of the Transit countries they travelled through on their
way to Italy.

Is it that AI is more interested in helping the intruders "game" the
system???

Amnesty International Press Release
AI Index: EUR 30/007/2005 (Public)
News Service No: 164
20 June 2005

Italy is increasingly placing asylum-seekers in detention in violation of
international refugee standards. In its latest report, Temporary Stay --
Permanent Rights, Amnesty International reveals a range of human rights
abuses to which foreign nationals are subjected while detained in
'temporary stay and assistance centres', and expresses concern that similar
problems will be perpetuated in the 'identification centres'.

"Detention is an extreme sanction for people who have committed no criminal
offence. Asylum-seekers should only be detained in exceptional
circumstances, in line with international refugee standards," said Nicola
Duckworth, Europe Director at Amnesty International. "Likewise, the
detention of migrants who have entered or are present in the country
without authorisation should be resorted to only on grounds prescribed by
law, in accordance with international human rights principles."

Each year Italy expels or refuses entry to thousands of foreign nationals,
some of them asylum-seekers, on grounds of illegal entry, attempted illegal
entry or illegal residence. While awaiting expulsion, many of these people
are detained in 'temporary stay and assistance centres', sometimes for up
to 60 days.

Two months ago legislation came into force allowing the majority of
asylum-seekers to be detained as a matter of course in 'identification
centres' while their asylum applications are examined via an accelerated
process.

The report details allegations that people in temporary holding centres
have been subjected to physical assault by law enforcement officers and
supervisory staff and to excessive and abusive administration of sedative
and tranquillizing drugs. Many experience difficulties in gaining access to
the expert advice necessary to challenge the legality of their detention
and of expulsion orders. Tension in the centres is high, with frequent
protests, including escape attempts, and high levels of self-harm. The
centres are often overcrowded, with unsuitable infrastructures, unhygienic
living conditions and unsatisfactory medical care.

States have a sovereign right to control the entry, residence and expulsion
of foreigners on their territory. That right must, however, be exercised in
accordance with international refugee and human rights law and
standards.The exercise of state sovereignty cannot be at the expense of the
fundamental human rights of asylum-seekers or migrants, whatever their
legal status.

Access to the holding centres has been increasingly restricted and Amnesty
International's applications for visits to such centres have so far been
turned down. Although it is not possible to confirm the accuracy of all the
allegations concerning the holding centres, their number, consistency and
regularity, taken together with the conclusions of international
governmental bodies and reputable international and domestic
non-governmental organizations, give them credence.

Many people in temporary holding centres experience difficulty in gaining
access to the asylum determination process, resulting in the return of
people to countries where they risk serious human rights violations. Over
the last year Italy has repeatedly expelled entire groups of people
detained after arriving by sea, without properly considering each
individual's situation, in violation of international human rights and
refugee law. The government's attempts to deal with arrivals by sea are
seriously compromising the fundamental right to seek asylum and the
principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forcible return of anyone
to a territory where they would be at risk of serious human rights
violations.

Amnesty International has drawn up a series of recommendations which it is
urging the Italian authorities to address as a matter of priority. The
recommendations point out the key international standards that already
apply to people detained in the temporary holding centres and highlight a
set of guidelines on the process of the "forced return" of foreign
nationals, recalling existing rights under international legislation, which
were adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in May
2005.

"Now is the moment for the Italian authorities to re-examine thoroughly
their current policy, legislation and practice regarding the detention,
conditions and treatment of irregular migrants and asylum-seekers and to
ensure they are brought fully in line with international human rights and
refugee law," said Nicola Duckworth.

For a copy of the full report, Italy: Temporary Stay -- Permanent Rights:
The treatment of foreign nationals detained in 'temporary stay and
assistance centres', please go to:
http://web.amnesty.org/library/
index/engeur300042005.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/
document.do?id=
80256DD400782B8480257021004F9CF9