UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination commends Portuguese policies highlighted in MIPEX

The Committee particularly commends the innovative policies, laws and actions ofthe State party regarding the integration of immigrants as confirmed by the United Nations Human Development Report 2009 and the Migrant Integration Policy Index. 9. The Committee welcomes ACIDI’s national telephone information service, “SOS Imigrante”, providing information in the languages mostly common to immigrants in Portugal, and the Translation Phone Service available  free of charge  in 60 different languages...
Despite innovative measures by the State party to promote integration, prevent and address racial discrimination of less favoured communities, including the impact of  the work of  socio-cultural mediators, the Committee is  concerned about prevalent  racial stereotypes and prejudices against immigrants, foreigners and some citizens. Reports have been received regarding discrimination against Brazilians, as well as against other  groups including Chinese, Sub-Saharan Africans, and in particular Ciganos and Roma. The Committee is also concerned at the incidence of racist and xenophobic speech emanating from a few extremist political parties, and manifestations of racism and intolerance in sport towards members of ethnic minorities (arts. 2 and 4). The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to prevent and prosecute manifestations of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. It recommends that the State party condemn racist and xenophobic speech by politicians and promote tolerance and diversity, including in sport...Read more