UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNHCR Recommendations on Important Aspects of Refugee Protection in Italy, July 2013

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reiterated, in 2013, certain recommendations he had addressed to Italy in 2012. Despite some progress achieved also in the framework of the EU cooperation, there were still gaps regarding, inter alia: reception conditions for asylum seekers, including in new special reception centres (CARAs); access to asylum procedure; and the protection of unaccompanied children. Regarding non-refoulement, the Italian Government confirmed in 2012 that it had abandoned the ‘push-back’ policy, in application of the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on the case Hirsi; however, no practical measures were taken on this point, and no specific provision was included in the new Italian-Libyan agreement, to enhance respect for human rights and the rights of asylum seekers. The UNHCR noted, lastly, that Italy has generously increased its financial contribution to the UNHCR work in favor of refugees all over the world.