IRCT REGIONAL REPORT 2016 Italy ABOUT CIR Italy garnered a lot of international attention during the refugee crisis, primarily due to the tragic deaths of refugees in unseaworthy boats in its territorial waters. The Italian government introduced changes to the legal framework for asylum procedures and reception conditions in an attempt to implement the Asylum Procedures Directive and the Reception Conditions Directive. Legislative Decree 142/2015 entered into force on 30 September 2015 and although it has several references to torture victims, there are still no specific procedures in place to ensure identification. CIR provides assistance to refugees and asylum seekers who have been forced to flee their countries. This is done through the provision of direct services and also through communication, awareness raising and advocacy efforts that promote greater understanding in Italy of refugee issues by fostering social and cultural initiatives to benefit exiles who have reached our country. Under the name ‘Vi.To’ (short for ‘victims of torture’), CIR offers a range of medical and specialised psychological services to victims of torture by providing legal, social, medical and psychological assistance to victims of torture and their families. The primary objectives are to engage in the early identification of torture victims, to provide adequate care, and medical and psychological assistance and to raise awareness of the plight of victims of torture in Italy. Refugees fleeing the war leaving the ship Flaminia ferry in the port of Genoa. © Riccardo Arata page 29