Migration researcher Thais França argues that the racist attacks in Porto are not an isolated case and expose a problem in Portuguese immigrant integration policies.
Migration researcher Thais França believes that The attack on a group of immigrants in Porto shows that Portugal “has a problem” in its “integration policies” that, until now, “were hidden” in society.
For the researcher from ISCTE – Lisbon University Institute, “it is no longer possible to say that these are isolated cases” and “we must think about the entire situation in which these attacks occurred.”
The author of an international study on anti-immigration movements in Portugal argues that those making political decisions must, first of all, “recognize that there is a problem” and that “it is not an isolated case” or “just an isolated group of people.” people”.
In his opinion, the attack on a residence for North African immigrants in Porto last Friday shows that it is necessary to “recognize that there is a problem in Portuguese society and recognize that the integration policies, which Portugal values so much and about which it boasts so much, failed.”
Group armed with batons and knives attacks Algerian immigrants in Porto
What happened was “a deliberate attack” against immigrants, which meets the requirements of a neo-Nazi or racist action.
To solve this problem, “stricter laws” are not enough, but rather promoting a debate on reception policies.
“To me, what these attacks do is Highlight that there is a problem in relation to immigration in Portugal.” and shows that “the way Portuguese society views immigration is not so peaceful.”
The February anti-immigrant demonstration, promoted in Lisbon by the Group 1143 collective (led by Mário Machado), “had much more force than these attacks can have” to energize a part of public opinion.
In Camões, people shouted “Portugal is ours.” The mayor responded with “We love Portugal”
However, “since it is a very violent event,” it may “make some people review their anti-immigration positions,” because they do not see themselves in these acts.
There is the “idea that Portugal is not so racist, that Portugal receives” and “now there is evidence that this is not the case.”
The anti-immigrant discourse, “capitalized by Chega,” is increasingly normalized in Portuguese society, warns the researcher, considering that “the discourse circulates” in various sectors.
Besides, Associating immigration with crime became an election campaign issuethe researcher admits.
And therefore, this attack is a “visible sign” of a “dynamic and a trend that seems increasingly strengthened within society,” he concluded.
In the early hours of Friday there were three attacks and assaults on immigrants in the Campo 24 de Agosto area, on Bonfim Street and Fernandes Tomás Street, in Porto.
According to the PSP, the attacks were carried out by several groups and five migrants were taken to hospital due to their injuries.
Following the attacks, six men were identified and one was arrested for illegal possession of a weapon.
Due to suspicion of the existence of a hate crime, the case was investigated by the Judicial Police.
Source: Observadora
