Summary:
Luís Neves, PJ Director, reveals that 27% of detainees in Portugal are foreigners.
Distinction made between 'immigrants' and 'foreigners' in relation to crime statistics.
Data on nationality of detainees not disclosed due to legal restrictions.
Pakistani and Indian nationals do not show a higher criminality rate.
Neves emphasizes the need to combat fake news related to crime and immigration.
PJ Director's Testimony in Parliament
On Wednesday, Luís Neves, the National Director of the Judicial Police (PJ), was heard in Parliament, where he addressed the issue of foreigners and crime in Portugal. He emphasized that the PJ is aware of the nationality of all detainees in the country, but is unable to disclose this information publicly due to restrictions.
Neves highlighted the difference between 'immigrant' and 'foreigner', stating that the data regarding their involvement in crime is currently under discussion, especially regarding the inclusion of nationality in the Annual Internal Security Report (RASI).
“The PJ knows the nationality of all our detainees, but we do not share it because it has not been allowed,” Neves stated, responding to accusations that he used “truncated data” to downplay the contribution of immigrants to crime rates.
In 2023, foreigners constituted 27% of all detainees in Portugal (465 out of 1716), a figure that is two percentage points lower than in 2022, yet represents the highest level in the last 14 years.
Distinction Between Immigrants and Foreigners
Neves clarified a crucial point: “An immigrant is a foreigner, but a foreigner is not necessarily an immigrant.” He pointed out that many individuals in prisons are foreigners who came to Portugal solely to commit crimes without any intention of residing there.
He mentioned that Pakistani and Indian nationals living and working in Portugal do not show a higher rate of criminality compared to others.
Additionally, Neves noted that preventive detentions are more frequently applied to foreigners due to a perceived flight risk.
During the session, the Liberal Initiative's voice, Mariana Leitão, defended a proposal aimed at moderating the discussion on crime, while Neves underscored the significance of combating fake news that feeds into societal fears.
This testimony comes at a time when the Portuguese public is increasingly concerned about crime and immigration, raising questions about transparency and the narrative surrounding these issues.
Comments
Join Our Community
Create an account to share your thoughts, engage with others, and be part of our growing community.