Title: Prominent Figures Condemn Government’s "Intolerable Attack" on Social and Legal State
In an open letter to Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, 21 prominent figures from the political and legal spheres have united to condemn what they see as an "attack on the social and legal state" perpetrated by the government’s recent policing operation. The letter, published by the newspaper Público on Sunday, bears the signatures of a broad range of influential individuals who contend that the government is perilously departing from the principles established by the Carnation Revolution in 1974.
The authors of the letter,mostly from the left of the political spectrum, include former President of the Assembly of the Republic Augusto Santos Silva, ex-Minister of Internal Administration Constança Urbano de Sousa, and former Secretary of State Isabel Oneto, among many others. They argue that the government has demonstrated a lack of understanding of the true meanings of the ‘social state’ and the ‘rule of law‘, thereby undermining the very democratic foundations of Portuguese society.
At the heart of their criticism lies a now-iconic image from the week’s police operation, which showed migrants lined up against a wall, an organizing method that has been described as dehumanizing. The signatories assert that such actions constitute a violation of the law and the Constitution, recalling a past that many believed had been surpassed. They quote President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has previously defended the principle that security should be exercised with discretion, and contend that the migrants’ treatment was degrading and in contravention of constitutional principles.
The letter’s signatories express respect for law enforcement officers who uphold the law, criticizing those in political positions who exploit these agents as symbols of authoritarianism. They warn that the government is adopting a divisive, electioneering strategy that has historically led to greater inequality, exclusion, and violence. They conclude by emphasizing that community policing should not be equated with "police proximity to targets of its violence," stressing the need for empathy and understanding in maintaining security.
The open letter serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance that must be struck between maintaining security and upholding the fundamental rights and dignities of all citizens. As Portugal faces ongoing challenges in integrating its increasingly diverse population, this issue will continue to be a point of critical debate.
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