During the 20 years of its existence, the CPT (European Committee for the Prevention of Torture) has carried out some 270 visits to detention places in 47 European States. In its 19th General Report, the CPT looks back over two decades of combating torture and ill-treatment in Europe. It discusses the achievements to date - the concrete improvements brought about and the standards developed - as well as the challenges which lie ahead. The report gives a detailed snapshot of the CPT's activities over the last twelve months. Highlights from recently published visit reports and government responses are also provided; they offer an insight into some of the major issues with which the Committee is confronted during its work and the approaches of States to address them. A specific section describes the safeguards that should be offered to irregular migrants deprived of their liberty, with a special emphasis on the situation of children. The report will be of interest to all those who are concerned by the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, whether in prisons, juvenile detention centres, police stations, holding centres for immigration detainees, psychiatric hospitals, social welfare institutions or any other institution.