17. The Committee notes that article 240 of the new Penal Code, concerning non-discrimination, now covers not only discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic  or national origin and religion, but also discrimination based on sex and sexual orientation. It is nonetheless concerned by reports of numerous acts of violence of a discriminatory nature directed against certain minorities. The Committee is also concerned that the membership of the police forces does not reflect the diversity of minorities present in Portugal (art. 16).

The State party should take the necessary measures to effectively combat acts of violence based on any form of discrimination and to punish the perpetrators appropriately. The State party should also strive to include representatives of minorities residing in its territory in the police forces.

Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CAT-Portugal-2008-eng

 

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