Portugal - October 2024

On 23 October, a police officer fatally shot 43-year-old Odair Moniz, originally from Cabo Verde, leading thousands to protest police violence in Lisbon in a demonstration organised by Vida Justa, a rights organisation. In parallel, riots broke out around Lisbon resulting in injuries, torched vehicles, and 16 arrests. The police allege that Moniz fled and resisted arrest on the night of the shooting, and initially claimed that Moniz was armed with a knife. The officer involved has been charged with manslaughter, and both the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration and the police have opened investigations into the incident. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination had previously expressed concern over the excessive use of force by Portuguese police, particularly against people of African descent. 

Sources: PSP, Euractiv, The Guardian, Reuters, Vida Justa, Publico