PortuguêsEurope is experiencing a dangerous rollback of civic freedoms, in a context where the promise of universal rights and democratic values, enshrined in the EU treaties, is being steadily eroded by interconnected economic, social, cultural, and political factors. In the latest Civic Space Report, European Civic Forum documented an “unprecedented and intensified attack” on civil society and civic freedoms, including restrictions on protest rights, challenges to non-profit funding, and smear campaigns.
O European Civic Forum documentou um “ataque sem precedentes e intensificado” contra a sociedade civil e as liberdades cívicas, incluindo restrições ao direito de protesto, desafios ao financiamento de associações sem fins lucrativos e campanhas de difamação.
Charpter on Portugal
espite maintaining its classification as having an “Open” civic space in the CIVICUS Monitor, Portugal has seen a progressive decline in the assessment of its civic freedoms.
- Direito de protesto sob ameaça, especialmente para ativistas climáticos, o movimento de solidariedade com a Palestina e grupos antirracismo;Right to protest under threat, especially for climate activists, the Palestine solidarity movement, and anti-racism groups
- Concerns over rising hate speech online, in public rhetoric, and from institution against marginalised groups and CSO defending their rights;
- The amendment to the Foreigners’ Law could have negative effects on the freedom of association and migrants’ rights organisations;
There has been no significant progress in addressing the key issues highlighted in the European Commission’s Rule of Law 2024 report and there were no recommendations on civic space. Excluded groups face worrying challenges in terms of access to an enabling environment. For example, in February 2025, the LGBTQI+ cultural space Planeta Monas in Lisbon was
the target of a police raid for the fourth time in five months. Civil society organisations (CSOs) were also not meaningfully consulted on the National Plan to Combat Racism and Discrimination.
key issues highlighted in the European Commission’s Rule of Law 2024 report and there were no recommendations on civic space. Excluded groups face worrying challenges in terms of access to an enabling environment. For example, in February 2025, the LGBTQI+ cultural space Planeta Monas in Lisbon was the target of a police raid for the fourth time in five onths. Civil society organisations (CSOs) were also
not meaningfully consulted on the National Plan to Combat Racism and Discrimination. The continued use of repressive measures against activists, the rise of hate speech, and the lack of enforcement of anti-racism policies demonstrate
a failure to uphold the rule of law and protect fundamental rights. However, despite the direct attacks on democratic freedoms in Portugal, civil society has generated organised responses through protests and collective networked movements.