This June 20th is World Refugee Day. The pandemic crisis we are experiencing has particularly affected people who are forced to leave their countries of origin and seek international protection. More than 150 countries have imposed border restrictions to contain the spread of the virus and, according to the report of the Secretary General of the United Nations,…
In 2019, the Ombudsman received 51,313 requests through the various channels available to citizens (6.6% more than in 2018), and 9823 complaint procedures were opened, representing an increase of 5% in relation to 2018. Compared with 2017, the growth in new complaint procedures is 26%; taking 2016 as a reference, the increase is 42%. In 2019, therefore, the activity indicators…
Every year on June 26th, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is celebrated. Today is an opportunity to pay tribute to those who strive daily to combat all forms of torture and ill-treatment. The Ombudsman, as a National Prevention Mechanism, reaffirms his solidarity with the victims and his commitment to fight for the eradication of a practice…
The Ombudsman welcomes the compliance with the recommendation she made to Infraestruturas de Portugal regarding the danger of being run over by two octogenarians whenever they circulated and crossed the EN327, near their residence in Macieira de Sarnes. In the recommendation, the Ombudsman noted that the two elderly people were limited in their mobility, isolated and prevented from moving. In…
The Ombudsman sent a recommendation that the social water tariff be applied to the first m3 of consumption/month legally provided for consumers who meet the requirements for its benefit, regardless of whether they may exceed this monthly consumption. It is up to municipal councils to set maximum consumption limits on which discounts or exemptions are applied, but not a maximum…
The Ombudsman issued a new communication on how the Tax Authority (TA) is interpreting and applying the rule contained in Decree-Law 10-F/2020, which suspended tax executions until June 30. After exchanging correspondence with the Director General of TA, the Ombudsman now addressed the Secretary of State for Fiscal Affairs, drawing attention to the issues addressed in that correspondence that are…
Celebrating the Children’s Day, more than a ritual in which every year we renew our words of appeal for the respect of the collection of rights long recognized at international and national levels, must be a moment, an opportunity, to mobilize the community, the State, the citizens, to respond assertively to the problems that affect the children of our country.…
The Ombudsman sent a communication to the government drawing attention to the need to clarify fully with motorway concession companies the toll payment regime applicable to vehicles dedicated to the transport of patients (VDTD). The most recent communication follows complaints from the Portuguese Fire Brigade League that tolls are being levied on this type of vehicle and after the Ombudsman’s…
The services of the Ombudsman’s Office resume face-to-face service on May 18, at normal hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., requiring, however, prior appointment by telephone (213926600) or by electronic means (relações.publicas@provedor-jus.pt). Attendance will be provided on an individual basis, being the presence of accompanying persons not permitted, and will take place in compliance with the rules of hygiene…
The Lisbon City Council informed the Ombudsman that it will place H43 information signs on Ceuta Avenue, in each direction of traffic, which will make it possible to inform that this is a route with "instantaneous speed" detectors. The Ombudsman welcomes this decision, which follows a complaint procedure regarding the signposting of that road, where fixed radars are placed by…