Il CPT del Consiglio d’Europa in epoca COVID: il caso italiano come esempio di coordinamento virtuoso (e di interrogativi irrisolti)

This paper focuses on the role played and practices adopted by the “European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” (CPT) during the pandemic. In this period, CPT had to adapt its functioning due to severe travel restrictions, but nevertheless managed to successfully fulfil its mandate, by formalising also ten “Principles relating to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the context of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic” in March 2020. Starting from these principles, and with reference to the Italian context, we also intend to investigate whether and how CPT pandemic practices have affected prisoners' rights. Our analysis will also concern the role and function of the “National Guarantor for the Rights of Persons Detained or Deprived of Liberty”. In Italy, this institutional body acts also as National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs)”, in accordance with The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture.