Brussels has told Portugal to shape-up over child sex-abuse and pornography laws. Giving a limit of two months, the EC said today that Portugal’s time is running out.
The country should have altered its national legislation in line with a community directive over 18 months ago, but “despite letters notifying to this effect, nothing was done”, Diário de Notícias reports.
If Portugal doesn’t get cracking now, the EC threatens it will go to the European Court of Justice.
Lumped together for failure to comply with the EC’s directive are five other countries: Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta and Romania, writes DN.
The directive sets out to establish minimum penal sanctions for child sex abusers and is designed to make it impossible for “delinquents condemned for child sex crimes” to exercise professional activities that bring them into regular contact with children.
Brussels’ stand has coincided with the revelation of yet another “child sex horror” in Portugal, this time in Ovar.
According to news reports, a 17-year-old Romanian girl - sold into slavery by her parents - has been found to have been living with a couple who sexually abused her for five years.
The girl has told police that she even gave birth to a baby when she was 14 years old which the couple - also Romanian - forced her to give up for adoption.
The couple are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Article courtesy of the Portugal Resident http://portugalresident.com/
