Portugal needs to improve its efforts to protect the rights of the Roma community, as highlighted by a new opinion from the Advisory Committee monitoring the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM). The Roma continue to face discrimination, especially in employment and housing.
Despite increased diversity due to immigration, the committee notes that the treaty applies only to Portuguese Roma citizens. By the end of 2023, the national framework for Roma policies faced setbacks: the National Roma Integration Strategy expired without evaluation, and no new strategy was adopted. Key support bodies have ceased operations, and financial support for Roma organisations remains inadequate.
A permanent consultative structure for Roma participation in policymaking is critical, as their representation in public affairs is lacking. While improvements in inclusive education for Roma have been noted, challenges like high dropout rates and insufficient integration of Roma culture in schools persist. There is also a need for greater support for labour market inclusion and for better living conditions for the Roma community.
The re-establishment of the Commission for Equality and Combating Racial Discrimination in 2024 is a positive step, although its effectiveness is limited. The recent National Plan to Combat Racism and Discrimination (2021-2025) has had limited implementation due to a lack of awareness among municipal officers. Discrimination against Roma is often underreported, and the committee advises recognising antigypsyism as a specific form of racism.
Recent legislative amendments, including those strengthening protections against hate crimes, are welcomed, but enforcement needs further assessment. The rise of hate speech, particularly online, is concerning. Stronger institutional responses and public awareness are necessary to combat intolerance and promote acceptance of Roma. Lastly, there is a need for more Roma women mediators and efforts to address early marriage and traditional gender roles.
The Advisory Committee recommends immediate action to enact regulatory legislation to enhance the functionality of the Commission for Equality and Combating Racial Discrimination and provide support services, create a national inclusion strategy for Roma communities with their representatives’ input, strengthen Roma intercultural municipal mediators through adequate funding and defined career status, revitalise the Intercultural Mediation Municipal Teams programme and address the needs of Roma families in forced nomadism by offering housing, social and educational assistance, and intercultural mediation.
