Strasbourg, 10/7/2012 - “The most vulnerable social groups have been hit hardest by the fiscal austerity measures implemented in Portugal. The government should strengthen its efforts to mitigate the negative impact of the financial crisis, in particular on children, elderly and the Roma” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, publishing a report based on the findings of his visit to Portugal last 7-9 May.

The Commissioner also invites the Portuguese authorities to continue providing adequate support to independent National Human Rights Structures and non-governmental organisations involved in human rights work.

Together with the report, the Commissioner also published a letter to the Minister of Justice of Portugal recommending tackling the problem of excessive length of judicial proceedings, strengthening anti-discrimination measures and eradicating abuse and violence against older persons. (more...)

Portugal and the Council of Europe