Portugal report warns of police repression and far‑right surge

A report released by the European Civic Forum and the Observatory of Civic Space says Portugal’s public space remains formally open but is under growing pressure. The authors warn of a “normalisation of xenophobic narratives” that fuels an “increase in hate crimes” and creates “an environment hostile to the defence of human rights”. They document “violations of data privacy, abusive police repression of peaceful protests, and intimidation of vulnerable communities”, citing incidents such as police raids on an LGBTQI+ gathering in Loures that resulted in physical assaults and homophobic insults. The study notes a “substantial deterioration of civil liberties” and that “freedom of association is increasingly limited by restrictive migration reforms, administrative dysfunction, systemic financing insecurity and pressure from gentrification and real‑estate speculation”. Financial strain on NGOs is highlighted, with 25 % of social welfare organisations running annual deficits while being called upon to support more people. The report also criticises the removal of the “Extremism and Hybrid Threats” chapter from the Internal Security Annual Report and calls for scrutiny of neo‑Nazi elements within the security forces. It urges the government to address these structural barriers to protect civic space.