On 21-22 November, the Department for the Execution of Judgments carried out a mission to Lisbon, organised in close cooperation with the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the Council of Europe and the Government Agent before the European Court, to discuss and promote various aspects related to the implementation of the European Court’s judgments.
The delegation met with the Minister of Justice Ms Rita Alarcão Júdice and her team and was also received by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Deputy Minister of Justice, and other representatives from both ministries.
During these meetings Portugal’s generally positive record in terms of closure of cases was highlighted. The Minister of Justice and the members of the Portuguese Government emphasised Portugal’s strong commitment to implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and to strengthening the Convention system.
The discussions focused on the status of execution, current obstacles and future perspectives in the pending cases, notably concerning overcrowding and poor conditions of detention (Petrescu group), the renewal and the conditions of the high security prison regime (Fernandes), preventive detention of persons declared not criminally responsible due to their mental disorders (Miranda Magro), length of proceedings (Vicente Cardoso group), and freedom of expression (Almeida Arroja).
A meeting was also held with the newly appointed Director-General for Reintegration and Prison Services, to discuss the measures already adopted and those still outstanding to fully implement the judgments concerning different aspects of detention in prison.
The delegation further exchanged views with representatives of the High Council of the Judiciary, the High Council of the Administrative and Fiscal Courts, the High Council of the Public Prosecution Service, and the Centre for Judicial Studies, discussing potential synergies to strengthen and further promote awareness raising activities.
Finally, the Department’s delegation held a meeting with representatives from the Ombudsperson’s office to discuss the cases under supervision.
