“At this moment, we do not have elements that allow us to say that there is an introduction of these elements in the security forces and services, either with a view to radicalization or elements of the extreme right. In fact, we do not have elements that allow us to reach that conclusion in a safe way”, said Anabela Cabral Ferreira to the deputies of the parliamentary committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees.

However, she maintained that the General Inspection of Internal Administration (IGAI) is aware of this reality, namely through the monitoring of social networks where these hate speeches and incitement to violence are normally expressed.

The judge was also concerned about inorganic movements within the security forces, such as the Zero Movement.

“Infiltration of security forces and services is a difficult issue. Naturally, we are concerned about inorganic movements, because these movements are faceless and do not provide interlocutors with whom we can dialogue. To that extent, the concern is great”, she explained.

At the request of the non-registered deputy Joacine Katar Moreira, the general inspector was on the parliamentary committee to explain the discriminatory actions by the security forces and services in the exercise of their functions.

Anabela Cabral Ferreira guaranteed that “there is not a generalized problem of discriminatory practices” by the police, but she stressed that this “does not mean that the problem does not exist”.

“There actually is [discriminatory practices]. By all the means we have at our disposal, whether legislative or at the training level, this has to be completely eliminated from the practice of the security forces and services", she stressed.

The inspector general argued that the function of maintaining security is “absolutely vital and fundamental for the functioning of the rule of law”, and it is therefore natural that it should “always be guided by criteria that discriminatory practices do not exist”.