Afghan refugees share stories in Lisbon as regional migration shifts

At Lisbon's Kalorama festival, the Portuguese Council for Refugees introduced a "Human Library" initiative, enabling festivalgoers to engage directly with refugees to counter social misconceptions. The effort features eight Afghan women marking one year of sanctuary in Portugal after escaping Taliban bans on female education and employment.

Simultaneously, domestic security metrics highlight ongoing societal challenges in Portugal, where law enforcement recorded over 14,000 domestic abuse cases, representing an average of 82 reported incidents per day.

On a regional level, International Organization for Migration data revealed a 78 percent reduction in arrivals along the West African Atlantic route during early 2026. Officials linked the decline to intensified maritime border surveillance between Senegal and Mauritania, though experts note that remaining transit paths have become increasingly perilous.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)