ROME: The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner has said that she is “deeply concerned” about Italy’s treatment of migrants at home and at sea and is seeking clarification from the government about a recent law and move to empty big migrant welcome centres.

Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic told Premier Giuseppe Conte in a letter released on Thursday that she regretted the “apparent hastiness” with which one centre was emptied. She also cited “disconcerting reports” that some migrants deserving of protections might be made homeless by a new law restricting their benefits.

Mijatovic also took aim at Italy’s refusal to let aid group rescue ships dock and its “relinquishing responsibility” of rescues to Libya. She wrote: “I urge you to ensure that the human rights of persons rescued at sea are never put at risk.”

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2019