Amnesty International deeply concerned about excessive use of force by authorities

Amnesty International expressed deep concern over the excessive use of police force during protests in Lisbon and Porto, resulting in numerous injuries. The organization criticized the indiscriminate actions of law enforcement, emphasizing the need for urgent investigation into the incidents. João Godinho Martins, the executive director, highlighted that the police must only use force as a last resort and in a proportional manner. He called for immediate action to prevent further violations of protest rights, asserting that Portugal must respect peaceful assembly rights. The police reported seven injuries and 31 arrests, while protest organizers claimed many more were hurt.