In its 2009 report on Italy, pubished on 28 April, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) condemned Italy’s “push-back” policy. The report can be found here: http://www.cpt.coe.int/documents/ita/2010-inf-14-eng.htm. This push-back policy means that hundreds of mainly African people trying to reach Italy by boat are intercepted in international waters and subsequently brought back to countries such as Libya. Since May 2009 at least 900 individuals were returned this way in only two months. While it is possible, even probable, that among these people risking their lives to reach European shores, many are in need…