Portugal Grapples with Organized Crime and Corruption

Overview

As a stable parliamentary democracy, Portugal has made significant strides in protecting civil liberties and transferring power between rival political parties. However, concerns persist over corruption, legal constraints on journalism, poor prison conditions, and the impact of racial discrimination and xenophobia.

The Threat from Organized Crime Groups

The country is facing a growing threat from organized crime groups, particularly from Latin America, responsible for producing and transporting drugs or recruiting and transporting trafficking victims to Portugal. Brazilian, Ukrainian, Cape Verdean, and Chinese criminal organizations have been identified as operating in the country, with evidence suggesting their involvement in various illicit activities.

Corruption: A Growing Concern

Corruption has also become a significant issue in Portugal, with allegations of fraud, bribery, and embezzlement affecting high-profile figures and even government officials. The “Golden Visa” scheme, which allows foreign investors to obtain residency in exchange for investing in the country, has been criticized for its lack of transparency and potential links to money laundering and tax evasion.

Legal Framework: Vulnerable to Corruption and Loopholes

Despite efforts to tackle organized crime, Portugal’s legal framework remains vulnerable to corruption and loopholes. Human smuggling is only considered a crime if there is profit associated with it, which does not comply with international standards. Additionally, the country’s cybersecurity measures are inadequate, leaving it vulnerable to cybercrime.

Government Efforts: A Focus on Human Trafficking

The Portuguese government has made tackling organized crime a priority, with a focus on human trafficking. However, the effectiveness of these efforts has been hindered by limited enforcement resources and corruption within law enforcement agencies.

Support for Victims

Victims of drug trafficking and human trafficking in Portugal often receive assistance from state-operated integrated response centers or non-state actors such as NGOs. However, the number of victims assisted remains low due to limited capacity, particularly for male victims.

Media Freedom: Challenges and Concerns

Journalists in Portugal generally enjoy freedom of press without fear of retribution. However, they often face poor job security, threats and aggression from the public, and are poorly paid. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with several media outlets shutting down due to budget cuts.

Role of Civil Society

Portugal’s civil society organizations play a crucial role in the fight against organized crime, focusing on developing preventive initiatives and providing support and assistance to people affected by crime activity. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of corruption and organized crime, as well as to strengthen the country’s legal framework and cybersecurity measures.

Conclusion

Portugal is facing a complex challenge in combating organized crime and corruption. While the government has made efforts to tackle these issues, more needs to be done to address the underlying problems and ensure that justice is served. It is essential to prioritize transparency, accountability, and effective law enforcement to combat organized crime and corruption effectively.