This report highlights Amnesty International's concerns about the situation of people, the majority of them irregular migrants but some of them asylum-seekers, detained in 'temporary stay and assistance' centres, commonly known as 'CPTAs'. There have been reports of people in some CPTAs being subjected, among other things, to physical assault ; administration of sedative and tranquillizing drugs; unhygienic living conditions; unsatisfactory medical care; lack of communication with the outside world; difficulties in gaining access to the legal advice etc. Amnesty International itself has sought, but so far been refused access to centres detaining asylum-seekers and unauthorized immigrants in Italy.