It should also ensure that the alleged perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice and, if found
guilty, given appropriate sentences and that the victims obtain adequate redress, including the means
for their physical and psychological rehabilitation.
(13) The Committee takes note of the restructuring of the various police forces, including the Public Security
Police (PSP) and the National Republican Guard (GNR), and the report that the use of firearms by the GNR during
vehicle pursuits has been prohibited since 2005 “except in cases expressly provided for by law” (CAT/C/67/Add.6,
para. 117). It is nonetheless concerned by reports of excessive use of force by the police allegedly involving gunshot
injuries, threats at gunpoint, abuse of power and, in one case, death (arts. 11, 12 and 14).
The State party should continue its efforts to raise awareness among the police forces with respect to
compliance with the provisions of the Convention by means of ongoing and targeted training.
Furthermore, it should ensure that any complaints made against the police forces for acts of torture or
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are immediately investigated, that the alleged perpetrators are
prosecuted and that the victims are given appropriate compensation.
Use of “TaserX26” weapons
(14) The Committee is deeply concerned about the recent purchase by the State party of electric “TaserX26”
weapons for distribution to the Lisbon Metropolitan Command, the Direct Action Corps, the Special Operations
Group and the Personal Security Corps. The Committee is concerned that the use of these weapons causes severe
pain constituting a form of torture, and that in some cases it may even cause death, as recent developments have
shown (arts. 1 and 16).
The State party should consider relinquishing the use of electric “TaserX26” weapons, the impact of
which on the physical and mental state of targeted persons would appear to violate articles 1 and 16 of
the Convention.
Domestic violence, particularly against women and children
(15) The Committee is concerned about reports received of numerous cases of domestic violence affecting women
and children, as well as a high number of deaths among women due to such violence. Moreover, the Committee is
deeply concerned at the Supreme Court decision of 5 April 2006, according to which “moderate corporal
punishment of a minor by a duly entitled person for solely appropriate educational purposes is not illegal” in the
family context (art. 16).
The State party should strengthen its efforts to establish a national strategy to prevent and combat
domestic violence against women and children. It should take the necessary legislative measures to
prohibit corporal punishment of children in the family. The State party should: guarantee that women
and children who have been victims of violence have access to complaints mechanisms; punish the
perpetrators of these acts in an appropriate manner; and facilitate the physical and psychological
rehabilitation of the victims.
The State party should also ensure that public law enforcement agents receive ongoing and targeted
training on the issue of violence against women and children.
Human trafficking, including of residents in Portugal
(16) The Committee notes with satisfaction that, under Act No. 23/2007 of 4 July 2007, victims of human
trafficking can obtain residence permits, and welcomes the awareness-raising campaign launched by the State party
to combat this problem. The Committee is, nonetheless, concerned about the extent of human trafficking, which
affects a very high number of women, for the purposes of economic and sexual exploitation (art. 16).
The State party should continue its efforts to combat human trafficking and should adopt the
necessary measures to punish the perpetrators with appropriate penalties.
32
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