The PS proposed the criminalization of discrimination based on ‘political or ideological beliefs’, but today withdrew in a debate amid criticism from the opposition, namely the PSD, which accused the Socialists of seeking a ‘return to the Estado Novo’ want. .
The disagreement took place this Tuesday in the parliamentary committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees, over a proposed government law that aims, among other things, to expand the scope of the crime of discrimination and incitement to hatred and violence.
The amendments to this bill presented by the PS stated that discrimination against a person or group of people would be criminally punishable due to various factors, including their ‘political or ideological beliefs’ – in the government’s original version. it said ‘political or ideological opinion’ – or even because of their ‘education, economic situation, social condition or the pretext of collective guilt based on any of these factors’.
The socialist proposal also proposed that, if the foreseen crime were committed “through social communication,” the penalty would be “increased by one third in the minimum and maximum limits” – a suggestion that was not initially withdrawn, but which , until the end of the debate, eventually fell.
Immediately at the beginning of the debate in the specialty, the Socialist deputy Pedro Delgado Alves announced the withdrawal of the part that referred to “political or ideological beliefs, education, economic situation, social conditions or under the pretext of collective guilt on the basis of a of these factors. “, or not to generate “mistakes” or “more doubts”, by defending the objectives of the initiative presented by the executive.
Despite this withdrawal, PSD deputy Mónica Quintela was harsh in her criticism on this point, finding it “incredible that the government had the audacity” to propose what she classified as a “blue pencil” and a “return to what existed in the Estado Novo”. “.
“Who does the PS want to silence? Does it want to silence the Portuguese, its political opponents? This is an attack on the freedom of expression of the Portuguese, of deputies, of politicians who defend their ideological beliefs,” he shot.
The final proposal, with the deletion of some socialist amendments, was ultimately approved unanimously.
The text states that anyone who “establishes or establishes an organization or carries out propaganda activities that incites or incites discrimination, hatred or violence against a person or group of people because of their ethnic-racial origin, national or religious origin, skin color, nationality, descent, territory of origin, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or sexual characteristics, physical or mental disability” or participation in these types of organizations is punishable by imprisonment of one to eight years.
Anyone who, based on these criteria, provokes acts of violence against people, defames or insults, threatens or incites discrimination, hatred or violence against people or groups in these categories will be punished with a prison sentence of six months to five years.
Source: DN
