Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, said he had "serious concerns" over Italy's migration policy and practices.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said in a reply attached to Thursday's report that its policies are in line with European human rights standards. "Italy does not intend to put at risk the effectiveness of the European system for the protection of human rights," it said.

In a report, Hammarberg said he was worried by the continuing practice of forcing back refugee claimants to Tunisia on security grounds. Italy had been requested by the Council of Europe's court of human rights to suspend the practice in February out of fears that many that were repatriated to Tunisia faced torture.

Hammarberg said Italy's move to ignore the court request to halt deportations was "seriously jeopardizing the effectiveness of the European system of human rights protection."

The commissioner also said Italian authorities had to "condemn more firmly" racist or intolerant acts and ensure more effective implementation of anti-discrimination laws.

He recommended Italy move to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the police and set up an independent ombudsman office to handle complaints over human rights violations.

Thursday's report was released after Hammarberg visited Italy in January. It was his second in the last 12 months over increased concern by the Council of Europe that recent moves by Italy to implement an immigration crackdown have unleashed a surge in racism and xenophobia.

A report issued last July slammed Italy's crackdown that have targeted Africans and nomadic groups known as Roma, Stinti and Gypsy.

Italian officials have given different reasons for the crackdown, including to tackle street crime and illegal immigration and to encourage more Roma children into school.