Open letter condemns police actions

An open letter signed by Jan Robert Suesser, a member of the national board of the LDH, and representatives from other organizations has criticized the police's response to a demonstration at the "Porto Encampment" for the right to housing. The event took place in the early hours of October 15, 2026, on Praça D. João I in Porto, and involved the removal of tents and the dispersal of participants.

Participants report injuries and property damage

Videos and testimonies from those present suggest that the police charged individuals who had gathered peacefully, even after they had followed orders to dismantle their tents. The Housing Movement reported that 37 people were injured, with two suffering serious injuries such as fractures. There were also reports of people being aggressed for filming the operation, as well as the destruction of tents and personal belongings.

Mayor insists on no camping in public space

The mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte, had previously stated that he would be "absolutely uncompromising" about the installation of tents and that the square would not become a "campsite." However, the letter argues that a demonstration for the right to housing cannot be reduced to a simple camping issue, emphasizing that it is a form of political participation and expression of social demands.

Constitution guarantees right to peaceful assembly

According to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, citizens have the right to assemble peacefully and without weapons in public places, without requiring any authorization. The letter highlights that the requirement for prior notification under Decree-Law No. 406/74 does not amount to a request for authorization and cannot be used as a political tool to prevent peaceful gatherings.

Letter calls for transparency and legal clarity

The letter demands an investigation into whether the prior notification requirement was used to prevent the demonstration and asks for the legal foundations and criteria that guided the police and municipal authorities' actions. It stresses that rules governing public space cannot be used to strip away fundamental rights and that the justification for an intervention must be clear and proportionate.

Concerns over intimidation and democratic principles

The letter warns that when a peaceful mobilization is met with police intervention, it sends a message that could discourage future participation in demonstrations or public demands. It emphasizes that this issue is not just about law enforcement but touches on democracy and the rule of law itself, stating that the law should regulate power, not justify it automatically. The letter calls for an independent investigation, transparency in legal decisions, and guarantees that rules will not be used to selectively restrict peaceful gatherings.