Human Trafficking in [Portugal] [other countries]
Street Children in [Portugal] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Portugal] [other countries]
 

Prevalence, Abuse & Exploitation of Street Children

Portuguese Republic (Portugal) [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The Portuguese Republic [map] is located in SW Europe on the western side of the Iberian Peninsula and includes the Madeira Islands and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal is bordered by Spain (E & N) and by the Atlantic Ocean (W & S). Its capital and largest city is Lisbon. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the 1990’s, but fell back in 2001-04. GDP per capita stands at two-thirds that of the Big Four EU economies. A poor educational system, in particular, has been an obstacle to greater productivity and growth.

CAUTION:  The following links and accompanying text have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Portugal. Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005

CHILDREN - The government was strongly committed to children's rights and welfare. Nine years of compulsory, free, and universal education was provided for children through the age of 15. The majority of children attended school; however 45 percent dropped out before completing high school. The government also provided preschool education for children age four and older upon entry into primary school.

The government provided free or low cost health care for all children until the age of 15; girls and boys had equal access.

SECTION 6 WORKER RIGHTS – [d] There were reports that Romanian minors were often used for street begging.

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2001

[48] In the light of its 1995 concluding observations [below], the Committee remains concerned at the number of street children in the State party's main cities.

[54] Noting the State party's policies targeting the specific needs of children of some minorities, the Committee remains concerned at the difficult social situation of Roma children and their insufficient access to the education system.

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 1995

[17] The Committee is concerned by the increasing number of children living in the streets of the main cities and the lack of information in this area.

[24] The Committee recommends that measures be taken to give appropriate support to all children living at risk, especially children living on the streets. The Committee suggests that a comprehensive study be undertaken by the authorities so that they may be in a position to promote and implement policies and programs.

UN Committee On Economic, Social And Cultural Rights 24th Session

DISCUSSION - Portugal said that a number of agencies had been set up to oversee the well being of children and their development in and outside the family. In order to reduce child prostitution, particularly that catering to tourists, the Government had taken measures to create employment for street children.

A Session At The European Parliament...Words From The Street

MADAME MATILDE SIRGADO, INSTITUTO DE APOYO A CRIANÇA, PORTUGAL

It was in 1989 that street work was born in Lisbon, with the backing of the European program to fight poverty: the number of street children had increased so much that it could no longer be denied.

Street work includes three types of action:

(a) The rescue of children in the street, especially those who are confronted with exploitation;

(b) The acquisition of personal and social skills leading to the autonomy of the community which the children belong to;

(c) The bringing back of values in order to change attitudes and policies in this field; the revalorization of children, through a preventive approach, interventions in the families and community-based actions.

Housing Policy In The EU Member States

3.9 Portugal - Minimal past policies, poor housing

The Portuguese housing shortage is not merely cyclical but persistent, structural in its nature. The numerous shanty-towns, particularly in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Oporto where there are more then 42,000 barracas (huts) affecting about 162,000 people, are its most obvious manifestation. Significant and persistent migration from low-employment regions of the "interior" and from the former Portuguese African colonies has added to urban housing pressures. "Street children" and roofless families are evident in the streets of the two main cities, Lisbon and Oporto.

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Human Trafficking in [Portugal] [other countries]
Street Children in [Portugal] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Portugal] [other countries]