UNHCR says Italy mistreated migrants

The United Nations' refugee agency accused Italy yesterday of mistreating African migrants who were stopped from crossing the sea to Europe and diverted to Libya.

Italy rejected the accusations as false and demanded an apology.

UNHCR officials who interviewed 82 migrants intercepted on the high seas on July 1 and sent to detention camps in Libya found that a "significant number from this group are in need of international protection".

Under Italian measures in place since May, at least 900 would-be migrants trying to reach Italy by sea have been sent to other countries, mainly to Libya, according to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Geneva-based agency has repeatedly voiced concern at Italy's new "push-back" policy which it says can prevent access to asylum procedures and undermines international law.

The Italian navy made no attempt to establish the nationalities of the migrants, most of whom were Eritrean, or their reasons for fleeing their homelands, the UNHCR said.

"During interviews, UNHCR heard disturbing accounts alleging that force was used by Italian personnel during the transfer to the Libyan vessel," spokesman Ron Redmond told reporters, saying six Eritreans reportedly needed medical attention as a result.

Italy's European Affairs Minister Andrea Ronchi said the UNHCR "should be ashamed of itself" and should "apologise to Italy."

Mr Ronchi said he had read a letter the UNHCR had released and was shocked that the agency had not asked Italy for its version of events.

"These accusations are rash, false, demagogic, offensive and repugnant and they offend our armed forces who every day around the world demonstrate their morality, dedication, humanity, competence and sacrifice," he said.