The Portuguese Council for Refugees (CPR) said this Wednesday that it is “extremely important” that the attack on the Ismaili Center in Lisbon does not exacerbate the situation of racism and xenophobia while continuing to express solidarity with the affected community.
“It is imperative that the serious situation that has attracted media attention in recent days does not become a trigger for racism and xenophobia,” the CPF defended in a note sent to Lusa about the attack on the Ismaili Center that killed two people.
When asked about existing support for refugees, the CPF understands that “it is always possible to improve existing funding and thus strengthen the work of the dozens of host organizations that provide services throughout the country to refugees seeking to rebuild their lives in Portugal”, even while recognizing the achievements in recent years in Portugal in this matter.
“At this moment of shock and grief, the SPP would like to share its heartache and express solidarity with the Ismaili community. Our thoughts also go out to the families of the victims and the entire team, to whom we wish strength and hope,” adds CPT.
CPR is a non-profit non-governmental development organization (NGDO) that has been supporting applicants and recipients of international protection in Portugal since 1991 in the process of admission and integration.
According to CPR, the organization currently supports about 450 applicants and beneficiaries of international protection.
Two women were killed at the Ismaili Center in Lisbon on Tuesday in a knife attack by Abdul Bashir, an Afghan who was arrested and hospitalized after being shot dead by police.
The attack, whose motive is still unknown, injured another person and was condemned by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister António Costa.
The now detained killer enjoys international protection status and has not been subject to “no indications” from the authorities.
The Abdul Bashir family arrived in Portugal from Greece at the end of 2021 with three children, they lived in Odivelas and received support and training from the Ismaili Center, which helps the refugee community in Portugal.
The fatal victims were two women, aged 24 and 49, who worked in the Ismaili Center specifically in refugee support services.
The National Director of the Judicial Police (PJ) said this Wednesday there was “no indication” that the attack was a terrorist act, admitting that it was the result of a “psychic breakdown on the part of the aggressor”.
The aggressor should not be discharged from the hospital earlier than in 10 days, and only then will there be conditions for interrogation by the investigating judge, the national director of the joint venture added.
The aggressor’s three children are in the care of the institution and maintain their own school routine.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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