The municipalities of Loures and Amadora, in the district of Lisbon, conducted demolition operations this week on illegal precarious housing, home to over a hundred people, built by the residents themselves.
Today, in a statement, Amnesty International (AI) Portugal announced it has requested urgent clarification from both municipalities regarding any measures taken or in progress to prevent families from becoming homeless.
The Amadora City Council reportedly stated that social services were referred to at the demolitions: “However, organizations on the ground claim that neither on the day of the demolitions nor until now has any social worker or assistant from the municipality been present, nor was any support or housing alternative provided to the displaced families.”
The Loures City Council did not respond to requests from AI Portugal.
In the absence of responses, Amnesty International urges “swift, inclusive solutions that respect the human rights of all involved and ensure the effective compliance with the Housing Framework Law.”
According to the Housing Framework Law, it is emphasized that the “State and municipalities cannot promote the eviction of vulnerable people or families without previously ensuring rehousing solutions.”
On Monday, Loures City Council began an operation to demolish 64 precarious homes in Talude Militar, where 161 people live, including children and the elderly.
On that day, 51 precarious houses were demolished, with an additional four the following Tuesday. The operation was subsequently halted after the Lisbon Administrative Court accepted an injunction filed by 14 residents.
The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an inquiry into this process.
Dozens of self-built houses were demolished on Monday and the following morning after an order from the Loures City Council. More than 160 people were evicted.
Teresa Banha with Lusa | 19:25 – 16/07/2025
In Amadora, at the Estrada Militar da Mina de Água, in the former neighborhood of Santa Filomena, there is a plan to demolish all 22 illegal constructions, which housed about 30 adults and 14 children and youths. According to the Vida Justa movement, two houses were demolished on Monday.
“Before the intervention in the Talude area, all individuals were informed and personally approached by city council services,” clarified the mayor of Loures.
Carolina Pereira Soares with Lusa | 08:25 – 17/07/2025
