Portugal
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- semi-presidential republic
- CONSTITUTION
- April 25, 1976, revised several times
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on civil law; the Constitutional Court reviews the constitutionality of laws
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, Assembly of the Republic
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, whose judges are appointed for life by the High Council of the Judiciary
RELIGIONS
84.5% Catholics, 2.2% other Christians, other minorities
From the country
- MARCH 4, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Amnesty International said that if Portugal extradited...
Amnesty International said that if Portugal extradited Indian gangster Abu Salem, who is accused of masterminding bombings in Bombay that killed nearly 300 people, it would violate the Portuguese constitution
- JANUARY 1, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The last execution took place in 1849
The last execution took place in 1849
- JANUARY 1, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No...
Portugal has signed but not yet ratified Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances
- JANUARY 1, 2003PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes...
Portugal abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1867 and became totally abolitionist in 1976
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
India formally sought deportation of underworld don...
India formally sought deportation of underworld don Abu Salem, who was arrested along with his wife Monica Bedi in Lisbon with Pakistani passport, and said it was prepared to guarantee that he would not be given death penalty
- MAY 3, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention...
Portugal signed Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which ensures the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances
- APRIL 25, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal was a cosponsor and voted for the resolution...
Portugal was a cosponsor and voted for the resolution 2002/77 on the death penalty at the 58th UN Commission on Human Rights
- JANUARY 1, 2002PortugalDEATH PENALTY
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (1976) at Art
- OCTOBER 4, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal's parliament approved constitutional changes,...
Portugal's parliament approved constitutional changes, including making extradition easier, to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism
- SEPTEMBER 21, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal, the sole European Union country to raise...
Portugal, the sole European Union country to raise constitutional questions about an anti-terror plan, is ready to change its constitution to take part, Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said
- SEPTEMBER 20, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portuguese Justice Minister Antonio Costa warned that...
Portuguese Justice Minister Antonio Costa warned that unless the constitution was changed, Portugal could become a "safe haven for terrorists"
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2001PortugalDEATH PENALTY
Portugal will not give in to US pressure on the signing...
Portugal will not give in to US pressure on the signing of an agreement with the EU providing for the extradition to the USA of people involved in serious crimes, such as terrorism