The national Judicial Police (PJ) have announced stronger measures to tackle the increasing problem of hate speech and hate crime in Portugal.
Much of the hate is racist, religious or misogynistic directed at immigrants in this country.
Hate speech is verbal or written expressions that attack or insult individuals or groups, while hate crimes are of a similar but more offensive nature. They are both of growing concern not only to the legal authorities, but to the wider public.
Public concerns include the gap between the number of prosecutions and the high number of unreported hate crimes. Although speech offences are punishable with up to five years imprisonment, official data remains unclear. The number of speech and crime offences are believed to have increased significantly over the past five years.
The latest initiatives will involve the close coordination of different law enforcement sectors and improve victim support.
The PJ is closely aligned with an EU-funded anti-hate crime project, as well as civil society, academic and various other organisations working to greatly quash hatred.
Portugal does not yet have a unified hate crime law but it includes it in existing legislation against violence.
The ruling centre-right democratic alliance in the Portuguese Parliament has introduced stricter control over immigration.
The strongest advocate for greater anti-immigrant action is the right-wing Chega (Enough) party that is enjoying significantly rising public support. Chega is particularly opposed to Portugal’s increasing thousands of resident Romanies (gypsies). The backlash seems to extend to many other immigrant ethnic groups, including those from Brazil, former Portuguese colonies in Africa, Ukraine, EU countries such as Poland and France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Chega’s irritation is that all sorts of immigrants are renting or buying homes while local Portuguese residents face the unresolved housing crisis. Many foreigners are able to depend on greater financial resources while locals battle on with latest inflation rates of between 2.4% to 2.8%. Even low-income foreign workers are disliked because they take jobs from local Portuguese workers.
One of the most significant movements of people has included the return of many Portuguese residents from the United States who feel unwanted or worse by supporters of Donald Trump’s administration.
CHARITY HELP AVAILABLE
ALZHEIMER
PORTUGAL
Alzheimer Portugal is a nationwide organisation created more than 30 years ago specifically to promote the quality of life for people with dementia, as well as their families and carers.
It is there for you should you need their professional advice.
Alzheimer Portugal actively participates with its European and worldwide partners to gather and disseminate the latest information about dementia.
Website:
https://alzheimerportugal.org
Email:
Phone
Lisbon: +351 21 361 04 60
Portimão: 96276 690
Lagoa: 965 276 69
MADRUGADA
This unique Algarve organisation provides a home-based, end-of-life palliative nursing care service for people wishing to spend their final days professionally cared for in their own home.
Established in 2009, they are now renowned for the excellence of palliative care, which is provided free of charge.
Based in Praia da Luz in the western Algarve, their specialist clinical teams work extensively to help people, and those important to them, manage the challenges of life-limiting illnesses through counselling, therapeutic and creative activities, complementary therapies, advice, and education.
Phone
+351 282 61 375
Email: admin@madrugada-portugal.com
The more donations they receive, the more their specialist volunteers are able to care for the community
No comments:
Post a Comment