The European Union (EU), founded on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, has long been celebrated as a beacon of progress and unity. However, the resurgence of far-right extremism across its member states has exposed deep contradictions within this vision. Beneath the veneer of democratic governance, an alarming trend of authoritarianism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism has taken root, threatening the integrity of the Union. Nowhere is this more evident than in the treatment of migrants and the widespread abuses in Centres for Preliminary Reception (CPRs), where crimes against humanity unfold under the tacit approval of political elites. The rise of far-right extremism in Europe can be traced to a combination of historical grievances, economic instability, and fear-mongering around migration. Parties like Hungary’s Fidesz, Poland’s Law and Justice Party (PiS), and Italy’s Brothers of Italy have capitalized on public discontent, using nationalist rhetoric to scapegoat minorities and immigrants. These movements have not only normalized hate speech but also reshaped national policies to align with their exclusionary ideologies. The EU, for all its proclamations of democratic values, has often failed to confront these regimes decisively, allowing them to flourish within its ranks. This failure is exemplified by the concept of “puppet democracies”—member states that maintain the formalities of democratic governance while systematically dismantling checks and balances. In Hungary, Viktor Orbán’s government has curtailed press freedoms and judicial independence, while in Poland, the ruling PiS has undermined the judiciary and suppressed dissent. Despite repeated warnings and sanctions from the EU, these governments continue to receive substantial funding, effectively propping up regimes that flout the Union’s core principles. The implications of these dynamics extend beyond national borders, particularly in the context of migration. CPRs, established to manage the influx of migrants and refugees, have become sites of unimaginable suffering. Reports of overcrowding, abuse, and neglect paint a grim picture of a system that dehumanizes vulnerable populations. These conditions are not accidental; they are the direct result of policies shaped by far-right ideologies that view migrants as threats rather than individuals in need of protection. The EU’s complicity in these abuses is difficult to ignore. Frontex, the Union’s border and coast guard agency, has been accused of turning a blind eye to—or even participating in—pushbacks and other violations of international law. While the EU has mechanisms to address such issues, political expediency often takes precedence over accountability. This double standard undermines the Union’s credibility and fuels further disillusionment among citizens and migrants alike.

Italy’s Covert Devious Fascism in Defiance of Democratic Laws

Italy presents a particularly striking example of the contradiction between democratic values enshrined in law and the persistence of far-right extremism within its institutions. Despite constitutional protections and laws explicitly banning the promotion of fascist ideologies, such as the Scelba Law (1952) and the Mancino Law (1993), Criminal post-fascist organizations and ideologies have not only survived but have infiltrated parts of the government and public institutions. The country’s failure to decisively confront this legacy has enabled a culture of impunity, authoritarianism, civil rights repressions, and Anti-Semitism even against Italian citizens, while Italy commits widespread human rights abuses, including the systematic mistreatment of migrants in detention centres.

Fascist Ideologues in Italian Politics and Society

Post-fascist organizations, such as CasaPound and Forza Nuova, operate openly in Italy, often under the guise of cultural or political movements. These groups celebrate Mussolini’s regime, propagate ultranationalist and xenophobic ideologies, and engage in acts of violence against migrants and political opponents. While these organizations are officially marginal, their influence extends into mainstream politics. The current political climate, including the prominence of the Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, has created an environment where far-right rhetoric is increasingly normalized. Leaders within these movements have connections to historical fascist ideologies, subtly reframing them to appeal to contemporary anxieties over migration and national identity.

Institutional Tolerance of Fascist Symbols and Celebrations

One of the most troubling aspects of covert fascism in Italy is the tacit acceptance of illegal commemorations and symbols. Despite the Scelba and Mancino laws explicitly banning the glorification of fascism, public events celebrating Mussolini and his legacy continue. In Predappio, Mussolini’s birthplace, annual pilgrimages draw hundreds of neo-fascists who openly display fascist symbols and slogans. These events, which glorify a regime responsible for widespread atrocities, are rarely disrupted by law enforcement. This tolerance undermines Italy’s commitment to its post-World War II democratic principles and emboldens extremist groups. Even within the police and security forces, there are documented instances of complicity and ideological sympathy with far-right groups. Reports of officers participating in far-right demonstrations, overlooking hate crimes, or engaging in discriminatory practices contribute to a culture of impunity. This alignment between elements of the state and far-right movements creates a dangerous feedback loop, where extremist ideologies influence public policy and enforcement.

Human Rights Violations in CPRs

The persistence of fascist ideology is not merely symbolic; it has real-world consequences, particularly for Italy’s migrant population. Centres for Preliminary Reception (CPRs), ostensibly designed to process and house migrants, have become sites of widespread abuse. Detention conditions in these facilities often amount to inhumane treatment, with overcrowding, lack of medical care, physical violence, and psychological abuse being common. Reports from organizations such as Amnesty International and testimonies from detainees have likened conditions in these centres to torture. Despite international condemnation and numerous cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), Italy has failed to address these systemic abuses. Instead of deporting migrants, which would at least fall within the framework of international law, many are held indefinitely in CPRs without clear legal justification. This practice not only violates European human rights standards but also reflects a broader strategy of deterrence rooted in xenophobia and systemic neglect. Italy’s violations of international human rights standards have been the subject of thousands of cases at the ECHR. These include claims of unlawful detention, denial of asylum rights, and failure to protect migrants from inhumane treatment. Despite rulings against Italy, systemic change remains elusive. The government’s failure to act on these judgments highlights the deep entrenchment of far-right ideology in public policy and governance. The coexistence of covert fascist networks, institutional complicity, and systematic human rights abuses undermines the very foundation of Italy’s democracy. By failing to enforce its own laws against fascist propaganda and symbols, Italy risks normalizing extremism and eroding its post-war democratic achievements. Furthermore, the EU’s inaction in addressing these violations within its member states reflects a broader failure to confront authoritarian tendencies and uphold its values.

Italian Governments gross Human Rights and Civil Rights Violations and its ECHR record

The situation regarding human rights violations in Italy’s immigration detention system (CPRs) raises significant concerns. Reports indicate systemic abuses within CPRs, including denial of basic rights, poor healthcare management, and abusive practices, contravening European and international human rights standards.

Human Rights Violations in CPRs: CPRs have been likened to lagers where detainees, often undocumented migrants, are deprived of fundamental freedoms without proper judicial oversight. Reports highlight inadequate legal representation, extremely short detention hearings, and denial of access to case files until after crucial proceedings. Healthcare within these centres is poorly regulated, with evidence of inappropriate or excessive use of psychiatric medications to suppress dissent and maintain order. Some centres report a lack of monitoring by national health authorities, contributing to substandard care and even deaths in detention due to neglect or unsuitable conditions​Alternatives To Detention​Open Migration. Deaths and Suicides in CPRs: Several detainees have died under questionable circumstances, often related to mental health neglect. Notable cases include Moussa Balde, a Guinean man who committed suicide after being beaten and subsequently isolated in a facility lacking proper medical oversight. The abuse of solitary confinement—prohibited under current detention regulations—is a common issue​. Open Migration.

Failures in Repatriation: Despite the stated purposes, safe repatriation rates are strikingly low, calling into question the justification for detention. In 2020, only 3,351 of the estimated 517,000 undocumented migrants were repatriated. This inefficiency has led to critiques of the detention system as a costly failure, costing Italian taxpayers millions while primarily benefiting private companies managing these centres​Alternatives To Detention. Legal Accountability: Italy has faced numerous lawsuits at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) related to its treatment of migrants. Cases often concern violations of Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 5 (right to liberty and security) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The country has been repeatedly fined for these practices, underlining systemic issues in its immigration policies​Human Rights Watch. Broader Context of Covert Fascism: Beyond CPRs, the persistence of far-right extremism in Italy complicates the situation. Organizations like CasaPound and Forza Nuova openly promote fascist ideologies, with their activities often tolerated or inadequately sanctioned despite laws prohibiting such behaviour (e.g., Scelba and Mancino Laws). Symbolic commemorations of Mussolini and the visibility of fascist symbols further reflect the normalization of these ideologies within certain parts of society. This environment can exacerbate xenophobia and reinforce discriminatory practices against migrants​Alternatives To Detention​Open Migration.

European Union cover-up of human rights violations and the fostering of Far-Right Governments and politicians

The humanitarian crisis facing migrants in Europe extends beyond Italy, as numerous countries have faced accusations of human rights violations and inhumane treatment. On the Kosovo border, there have been reports of migrants living in freezing conditions in open camps, lacking adequate shelter and essential services. This reflects broader systemic failures across Europe to uphold the rights of asylum seekers and migrants under international law. Elsewhere, countries like Greece, Hungary, Croatia, and Spain have faced severe criticism for practices such as pushbacks, where migrants are forcibly returned without due process. These actions often involve excessive violence and violate fundamental human rights principles. For example, the Greek coast guard has been accused of endangering lives by forcing migrants back into Turkish waters. Similarly, Croatian authorities have been implicated in violent pushbacks to Bosnia, while Hungary has openly supported deportations to Serbia without allowing asylum applications. Spain has faced allegations of illegally expelling migrants from its enclaves in North Africa, Ceuta, and Melilla, leading to fatalities during border clashes​.

Organization for Migration​ Deutsche Welle​ EUR-Lex.

The European Union’s external border management agency, Frontex, has also been implicated in illegal pushback operations and tolerating abuses by national authorities, raising concerns about accountability within EU institutions. Calls for comprehensive reform of Frontex have yet to yield substantial changes​ Deutsche Welle​ EUR-Lex. The widespread failure to address these issues has been compounded by political shifts toward xenophobia and far-right ideologies in several EU member states, leading to policies that criminalize migration and humanitarian assistance. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights have repeatedly urged EU states to adhere to international laws protecting refugees and to establish mechanisms ensuring accountability and humane treatment​ International Organization for Migration​ EUR-Lex. These issues underscore a critical need for coordinated European action to address the root causes of migration, ensure humane treatment at borders, and counter the rise of extremism and xenophobia shaping migration policies.

The European Union’s role as an Institution of democracy and human rights has increasingly come under scrutiny. Critics argue that the EU, far from being a bulwark against authoritarianism, has become complicit in fostering reactionary, far-right policies across its member states. This paradox arises from the tension between the EU’s stated values and its governance structures, which some claim prioritize economic integration and geopolitical stability over democratic accountability and individual freedoms.

Worrying Authoritarian Trends in Member States

Countries like Hungary and Poland have been at the forefront of this critique, with leaders such as Viktor Orbán and the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) systematically dismantling democratic institutions while maintaining EU membership. In Hungary, constitutional changes have concentrated power in the executive, curtailed media freedoms, and suppressed independent civil society organizations. Poland has seen similar trends, with judiciary reforms undermining the independence of courts and the rule of law. Despite triggering Article 7 proceedings against both countries, the EU has struggled to impose effective sanctions or meaningful reforms. The reluctance to act decisively stems from the EU’s reliance on consensus decision-making, where vetoes by member states can block collective action​

International Organization for Migration​ Deutsche Welle.

Economic Leverage and Far-Right Politics

Critics argue that the EU’s financial mechanisms, such as structural and cohesion funds, inadvertently support authoritarian governments. In Hungary, billions of euros in EU funds have been funnelled into infrastructure projects controlled by oligarchs closely tied to the ruling party, reinforcing an entrenched patronage system. Meanwhile, in Italy, far-right rhetoric targeting migrants aligns with EU migration policies that focus on border security and externalizing asylum processing, creating conditions for human rights abuses in detention centres. These dynamics illustrate how EU resources and policies can be co-opted to bolster reactionary agendas​. Deutsche Welle​ EUR-Lex. Weak Enforcement of Democratic Standards The EU’s reliance on legal and procedural frameworks to address democratic backsliding has proven insufficient. Mechanisms such as the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, which links EU funding to adherence to democratic principles, have faced implementation delays and legal challenges. In the meantime, far-right and authoritarian leaders exploit the EU’s bureaucracy and internal divisions to delay accountability. This failure to enforce its principles has emboldened governments to continue undermining democratic norms with minimal repercussions​ International Organization for Migration​Deutsche Welle.

Wider Implications for Human Rights

The normalization of far-right policies is evident in the EU’s handling of migration and border control. Policies like the Dublin Regulation and agreements with third countries (e.g., Turkey and Libya) have prioritized deterrence over humanitarian obligations. Reports of pushbacks, inhumane detention conditions, and violence at borders highlight systemic failures to uphold the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. These practices disproportionately affect marginalized groups, reinforcing xenophobic narratives and empowering nationalist movements across the continent​. International Organization for Migration​EUR-Lex.

Brexit, and the Rise of European Fascism

The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union—Brexit—has been widely criticized as a monumental error with far-reaching consequences for both the UK and the continent. While framed as a reclaiming of sovereignty, Brexit has been a rallying cry for far-right populism, fostering nationalism and authoritarian rhetoric that have reverberated across Europe. This decision is increasingly seen as a catalyst for the normalization of xenophobic and reactionary politics, which have emboldened far-right movements and fractured European unity. Brexit campaigns leveraged nationalist and often xenophobic rhetoric, focusing on immigration as a perceived threat to British identity and security. The infamous “Leave” slogans demonized migrants and asylum seekers, fueling racialized fears. This messaging has provided a blueprint for far-right groups across Europe, legitimizing anti-immigration platforms that scapegoat migrants for broader socio-economic issues. Post-Brexit, UK policies targeting migrants, such as the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, have echoed and reinforced far-right propaganda​ NATO​ European Institutions Office.

Brexit has been among the Root Cause of Rising Fascism

Since Brexit, the UK has witnessed increasing concerns about authoritarian tendencies. The government has been accused of undermining democratic norms by restricting judicial review, limiting protest rights, and exerting undue influence over media narratives. These actions mirror broader European trends where nationalist governments leverage similar tactics to consolidate power. Brexit not only weakened the UK’s influence in promoting democratic values within the EU but also provided a rhetorical framework that other nations have adapted to justify illiberal policies​ NATO​ European Institutions Office. Economically, Brexit has diminished the UK’s global standing, leading to slower growth, supply chain disruptions, and isolation from EU decision-making. Politically, it has strained relations with EU member states and destabilized the UK itself, especially in Northern Ireland and Scotland, where pro-European sentiments remain strong. This instability feeds into a broader narrative of distrust toward international cooperation, a cornerstone of far-right ideology. The timing and consequences of Brexit coincided with a wider European trend of far-right resurgence. By normalizing nationalist and isolationist rhetoric, Brexit inadvertently empowered fascist movements across the continent. The UK’s departure has also undermined the EU’s collective stance against authoritarianism, as it lost a key member capable of counterbalancing illiberal trends in countries like Hungary and Poland.

The European Union, in its mission to unite diverse nations under the principles of democracy and human rights, has increasingly been exposed as complicit in the rise of authoritarian and far-right regimes. Its failure to effectively confront the far-right extremism that has taken root in several of its member states has severely undermined its credibility as a guardian of democratic values. As far-right ideologies thrive, particularly in countries like Hungary, Poland, and Italy, the EU’s reactive, rather than proactive, approach to ensuring compliance with its founding principles has emboldened these regimes, allowing them to dismantle democratic structures and systematically oppress minorities, particularly migrants. While the EU’s institutional frameworks, such as the rule of law conditionality mechanisms, are intended to safeguard human rights, they have proven insufficient in halting the normalization of fascist and xenophobic politics. In this environment, the treatment of migrants within Centres for Preliminary Reception (CPRs) becomes emblematic of the Union’s broader failure to live up to its moral and legal obligations. The lack of accountability for such systemic abuses, coupled with the EU’s economic entanglement with far-right governments, reflects a deep paradox within the Union—a union that, while professing values of equality and solidarity, has failed to prevent the rise of oppressive, nationalist movements. Until the EU confronts this stark contradiction and holds its member states to account for their human rights violations and democratic backsliding, its credibility as a beacon of freedom and justice will continue to erode, leaving vulnerable populations—especially migrants—at the mercy of increasingly authoritarian regimes