Insist scrapped “manifestation of interest” is a human right
In spite of very little political support (up till now), immigrants are continuing to mobilise for the return of the scrapped “manifestation of interest” mechanism, that allowed people to arrive in this country on tourist visas and then automatically apply for residency.
The government scrapped the mechanism ‘overnight’ during the first weeks of its tenure – explaining exactly why.
Referring last month to the huge backlog of cases at AIMA (the agency for integration, migrations and asylum), minister for the presidency António Leitão Amaro remarked that new applications had fallen by 80% since the government dropped the manifestation of interest mechanism. In other words, there is less stress on the system after months of constant and rising stress.
But immigrant associations refuse to accept the new status quo. They are holding ‘mobilisation’ efforts ahead of a ‘mass demonstration’ planned for October 25 when thousands intend to protest outside parliament.
The latest ‘mobilisation’ took place last weekend in São Teotónio, Odemira borough.
Promoted by Solidariede Imigrante, the largest association in this fight, the message remains that immigrants demand the return of manifestation of interest to “help build this country in the fight against security policies, racism and xenophobia. We affirm we are all immigrants and we demand equal rights and documents for everyone!”
This refrain, however, has not brought any of the main political parties onboard, and across Europe is, in fact, doing the opposite. Only last week, former Portuguese prime minister and former European Commission president José Manuel Durão Barroso conceded that the people of Europe do not want much more immigration; there are limits to the extent of multiculturalism with which countries can cope; controls are needed.
October 25’s protest, however, will be going forwards – and is due to start at 3pm.
