In March, the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSM) projected the operational launch of the space by “the end of the first half of this year,” with a judge assigned to the Lisbon Minor Crime Court.
When questioned this week about the absence of this position in the current judge movement, which is set to begin on September 1, the council acknowledged that the facility has not opened as it is still under construction.
“The implementation of this project continues to depend on the completion of the necessary construction, the execution of which is not the responsibility of the CSM,” stated the council, led by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The CSM further added that “until now,” it has not received “any forecast regarding the completion date” of the space, which will operate near the international area of Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon.
“As soon as the room is operational, the CSM will assign the judge to ensure the functions needed in this context,” they concluded.
The Lisbon Minor Crime Court is responsible for deciding on the measures to be applied to foreign citizens detained at the border and currently operates exclusively at the Lisbon Justice Campus, about three kilometers from the airport.
In March, the CSM clarified that the measure is part of ongoing work between this council and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to “implement solutions that strengthen the protection of human rights.”
Currently, the hearing of foreigners detained in border procedures occurs in person “only in rare situations.”
“The Portuguese state must ensure the in-person hearing of all detainees to uphold their fundamental rights. The way to guarantee this, given the legal and operational constraints on bringing detainees to court, is to create a space at the airport itself for such hearings,” they justified.
Contacted by the agency, an official source from ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal clarified that the company only authorized the police to carry out work in the relevant room and had no other involvement in the process.
As of late today, the agency has questioned the police and is awaiting a response.
