Latest news and stories about discrimination in Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Amílcar Correia analyzes the rise of discrimination and exploitation against immigrants, attributing these trends to the government's alignment with xenophobic and racist political rhetoric.
The Left Bloc (BE) has formally questioned the Lisbon City Council regarding allegations of discrimination after a Bangladeshi woman was reportedly expelled from a Carris bus for refusing to remove her surgical mask.
The Public Prosecutor's Office has archived the investigation into controversial campaign posters by Chega leader André Ventura, ruling that while the content may be subject to civil penalties, it does not constitute a criminal offense under the Penal Code, citing political freedom of expression.
A citizen-led legislative initiative is set for its first vote in the Portuguese Parliament this Friday, aiming to criminalise discriminatory practices that currently fall outside the scope of the Penal Code. Activists argue that the current law fails to address everyday discrimination, as it only punishes such acts when they occur publicly. The proposal, supported by over 35,000 signatures, seeks to ensure that discriminatory motivation is treated as an aggravating factor in criminal cases, amid rising reports of racism and xenophobia recorded by police forces.
A Muslim woman was prevented from boarding a bus in Lisbon for wearing a face mask. Feeling humiliated, the Bangladeshi citizen filed a complaint with the PSP.
A Carris bus driver was accused of preventing a Muslim woman from boarding the bus.
Carris states it has initiated procedures to investigate the facts. The 26-year-old woman was wearing a hijab and a mask. Her daughter's school supported the complaint and expects Carris to provide a “quick response” to the family.
Parents accuse the Famões Parish Community Centre in Odivelas of illegal actions and discriminating against a child with a disability. The non-profit organisation claims the boy's aggressive behaviour compromises the rights of other children. The Portuguese Autism Federation receives daily requests for help from parents of children excluded from the school system.
The Real Madrid coach spoke out following the Islamophobic chants during the Spain-Egypt match in Barcelona, which have already prompted a police investigation and condemnations from Sánchez and Lamine Yamal.
Brazil has taken another step in its efforts to combat discrimination and xenophobia against Brazilian students in Portuguese schools. The Consulate-General in Lisbon has launched a competition to reward work that promotes positive relations between the two countries. Prizes for students and teachers range from 80 to 500 euros and include trips to Brazil. The launch was attended by the ambassador and the consul in Lisbon.
The lawyer believes there are crimes of discrimination and incitement to hatred and violence in the posters regarding Bangladesh and the Roma people.
Representing six plaintiffs, the lawyer challenged the Public Prosecution Service's decision to shelve the case and requested criminal charges against the Chega leader over posters regarding Roma people and Bangladeshis.
On the International and National Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, marked last Saturday, the 21st, “O Tal Podcast” accepted an invitation from Casa Capitão in Lisbon to join a day of reflection by recording a special episode. Live, with audience participation and the presence of podcasters José Rui Rosário and Justino Sacalumbo as guests, the conversation began with a commitment: “To undo the silence, confront the noise, and take ownership of the discourse.”
Award-winning students will receive money for works that express friendship between the countries, being evaluated by a jury from the Consulate-General of Brazil. Teachers can win a trip to Brazil.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS) is to investigate the nationality requirement imposed by the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (ULSLO) in its recruitment processes. The inspector-general, António Carapeto, confirmed the review after reports that the unit was unlawfully requiring Portuguese nationality for private-law contracts, potentially misleading candidates. Legal experts, including Maria Antónia Beleza, argue that the practice is discriminatory and legally incoherent, as it confuses residency and visa requirements with nationality status, potentially deterring qualified applicants.
The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS) is to investigate the nationality requirement imposed by the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (ULSLO) in its recruitment processes. The inspector-general, António Carapeto, confirmed the review after reports that the unit was unlawfully requiring Portuguese nationality for private-law contracts, potentially misleading candidates. Legal experts, including Maria Antónia Beleza, argue that the practice is discriminatory and legally incoherent, as it confuses residency and visa requirements with nationality status, potentially deterring qualified applicants.
The Lisboa Ocidental Local Health Unit (ULSLO) is facing accusations of illegality for requiring Portuguese nationality in recruitment notices for roles governed by private labour law. Legal experts argue that this requirement is discriminatory and contradicts both the Labour Code and European Union law, potentially deterring foreign candidates. While the health unit claims it follows legal requirements and exceptions, lawyers maintain that the reference to public service laws in private contract procedures is incoherent and unlawful.
Musician and former 'Dilema' contestant exposed the serious situation on social media.
The appeal comes after messages considered “discriminatory, stigmatising and xenophobic” were displayed at the Chega stand at Futurália. Researchers from the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon also warned about the content shared at the event.
The Faculty of Social and Human Sciences (FCSH) at NOVA University Lisbon condemned today the promotion of discriminatory content at the Chega stand at Futurália and requested intervention from the organisers.
Parents report discrimination at the table in a Cascais school: children in the public system eat worse, feel humiliated, and avoid the canteen. The Ministry of Education did not respond.
The Faculty of Social and Human Sciences of the NOVA University of Lisbon requested the intervention of the organisation.
André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, has announced he will appeal to the Constitutional Court after the Lisbon Court of Appeal upheld a ruling ordering the removal of a poster stating 'Roma people must obey the law'. The court deemed the message discriminatory and beyond the limits of free speech, contradicting a separate Public Prosecutor's decision to archive a criminal inquiry into the same posters. Legal experts argue the Court of Appeal's ruling highlights the limits of free expression regarding hate speech, while criticizing the Public Prosecutor's reasoning as unfounded.
The Institute of Social Sciences warns the organisers about the risk of the party using its space at an education fair to disseminate “discriminatory messages”. The organisation has not commented.
The content of the messages led the ICS to issue a 'statement regarding the discriminatory posters'.
Although the Chega leader justified the appeal citing the “right to freedom of political expression”, the court stated there was a “discriminatory message regarding all people of an ethnic group”.
The Lisbon Court of Appeal has upheld a civil court order requiring the removal of campaign posters by André Ventura that targeted the Roma community. The court ruled that the message “Roma must follow the law” is inherently discriminatory and not protected by political freedom of speech. The ruling cites European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence to argue that political discourse loses protection when it attacks ethnic groups. This decision contrasts sharply with a recent Public Prosecutor's ruling that archived criminal complaints regarding the same posters, a move lawyer Garcia Pereira described as being written as if by someone from the Chega party.
Lawyer Garcia Pereira will appeal the decision of the Lisbon DIAP to archive complaints alleging a crime of discrimination.
