Statement: Freedom to write, to publish, to read

Concerned and outraged by the repeated attacks by elements of the association Habeas Corpus and the far-right party “Ergue-te” on children’s books writers and librarians, on peacefully reading at a public library and during book presentations and debates, around 20 entities (associations, editors, bookstores) wrote this morning to the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Justice, as well as the Minister of Culture.

Your Excellency Madam Minister of Internal Affairs,
Margarida Blasco

Your Excellency Madam Minister of Justice,
Rita Alarcão Judice

cc. Your Excellency Madam Minister of Culture,
Dalila Rodrigues

It is with deep concern and indignation that we have witnessed in Portugal, in recent months, the repeated attacks by elements of Habeas Corpus and the far-right party “Ergue-te” on children’s books authors and librarians, on peacefully readingin a public library and during book presentations and debates.

As it has been reported by the media, in addition to verbal attacks, in a clear attempt to boycott books, their authors and their public, these elements have invaded and disrespected the authors’ privacy. They seek to create a climate of fear and insecurity, they intimidate with shouts and insults, slander and lies. The violent and discriminatory hate speech delivered by these organisations is public and known to the authorities. Many of these attacks and threats are made publicly, recorded by those elements, and then proudly shared on social media.

As cultural and educational agents, we have the duty to defend the “enforcement of social and cultural rights” of expressing oneself and “freedom of thought”, “to inform and be informed, without impediments or discrimination”. These rights, enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, as well as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “cannot be prevented or limited by any type or form of censorship”.

We urge the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take urgent measures to prevent the continuation of these serious incidents and to guarantee the safety and freedom of any citizen.

We urge the Judiciary to act urgently in relation to the complaints presented.

Bookstores, libraries, book fairs and other entities organizing public events must take precautionary measures and file a complaint with the authorities whenever their space is invaded and the freedom, safety and comfort of their customers and users are put at risk.

We appeal to citizens of this country to stay informed and active. We cannot let censorship, persecution and intimidation cast a shadow over books, authors and readers again.

“’If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
Desmond Tutu

Acesso Cultura
Rita Pires dos Santos, President

BAD – Associação Portuguesa de Bibliotecários, Arquivistas, Profissionais da Informação e Documentação
Ana Alves Pereira – President of the National Council | 2024-2026

BAOBÁ Bookshop
Ana Rita Fernandes, Bookseller

Cordel d´ Prata
Luis Rodrigues, Manager

Faz de Conto Bookshop
Sofia Correia, Bookseller and Founder

Fonte de Letras
Helena Girão Santos, Manager

GATAfunho, Independent Editor and Bookshop
Ana Paula Faria e Inês Araújo, Managers

Leya Group | Dom Quixote Publications
Pedro Sobral, Executive Manager

Kalandraka Publication Portugal
Margarida Noronha, Editorial Director

Culsete Bookshop
Rita Siborro, Management and Curatorship

Livraria da Travessa
Rui Campos, Founder

Snob Bookshop
Duarte Pereira, Manager

Tigre de Papel Bookshop
Bernardino Aranda, Manager

Orfeu Negro Publications
Carla Oliveira, Editor and Manager