Organizations speak of the need to resolve migrants' problems, such as housing, and warn of the "increase in hate speech and anti-immigration."
In an open letter addressed to the ministers of the Presidency, Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, 37 civil society organizations call for "dignified, fair and effective measures and policies for the reception, integration and inclusion of migrants".
Caritas Portuguesa , Médicos do Mundo, the European Anti-Poverty Network, the Renovar a Mouraria Association and Humans Before Borders are among the organizations that signed the letter, in which they call for "migration policies that respect human rights", make recommendations and point to the need to resolve the concrete problems of migrants, such as housing, warning of the increase in anti-immigration discourse.
The organizations that signed this document say that "there are still inconsistencies in the implementation of migration policies that respect Human Rights". Inconsistencies that, they say, "are aggravated by the focus on the securitization of migration, by the increase in hate speech and anti-immigration".
The letter addressed to the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Margarida Blasco, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel, also points out "possible contradictions present in the new European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum".
Several recommendations are made, such as the “importance of an in-depth understanding of the facts to deconstruct myths”. The organizations therefore call for “public policies to be based on ‘hard facts’ about migration”.
The open letter to the Government states that it is "necessary to respond to the specific problems of migrants in Portugal, including accommodation and housing". In this sense, they recommend the creation of an "emergency structure that allows the necessary monitoring and support for migrants and refugees".
They add that it is necessary to resolve the “lack of legal support and monitoring, aggravated by bureaucracy”, the “language barrier faced by immigrants” and the “review of health agreements”.
“It is crucial that the protection of human rights is guaranteed from the migrant’s first contact with the reception system, ensuring dignified and equitable treatment, especially for the most vulnerable groups,” the organizations argue in a statement sent to newsrooms.
The 37 signatory organizations also call for "stereotypes and misinformation to be combated, appealing to a narrative that values diversity and the contribution of migrants to the country".
"It is necessary to raise awareness in local communities to better welcome migrants, since various clichés and prejudices, often spread due to lack of knowledge, make integration even more difficult", they consider.