Lisbon Metro's Apology: Activists Identified in Environmental Report Sparks Controversy

Lisbon Metro's Apology to Activists

The Lisbon Metro publicly apologized on Wednesday for identifying three women in an environmental compliance report regarding the extension of the Red Line, which is currently under public consultation. The transport company expressed its regrets to the activists who lodged a complaint with the National Data Protection Commission.

In a statement, the Metro explained that the Environmental Compliance Report for the project, extending from São Sebastião to Alcântara, is a comprehensive document that must include a communication plan. It regrettably included the names of three citizens inappropriately.

"The Lisbon Metro regrets and publicly apologizes for this fact and has immediately decided to implement organic and procedural changes to prevent such situations from occurring again," the statement read.

The public transport operator emphasized that the communication plan aims to ensure a plurality of ideas and societal expressions while gathering contributions regarding public investment, thereby preserving and encouraging a variety of opinions.

"Freedom of expression is an inalienable right, and it was never the intention of the Lisbon Metro to undermine this constitutional right," the statement concluded.

The controversy arose from the mention of the three activists in the report, who were allegedly monitored by the company due to their opposition to the planned project at Jardim da Parada. One of the activists, Margarida Vicente, confirmed that they had filed a complaint online with the National Data Protection Commission and were organizing a complaint to the Public Ministry.

Reports indicate that since 2022, the Metro has been monitoring the social media activity of these activists who oppose the construction of the Campo de Ourique station as part of the Red Line extension.

The activists are part of the Movement to Save Jardim da Parada, established to contest the proposed construction plans. According to reports, the monitoring of the activists is included in the communication plan of the compliance report, which erroneously categorizes their opposition as "threats" in a comparative analysis.

However, the Metro categorically denied any improper or illegal surveillance of any stakeholders' social media related to the Red Line extension project, stating that it merely conducted normal monitoring and analysis of public references to this project by all interested parties.

The Recovery and Resilience Plan allocates €400 million for the Red Line extension and €250 million for the new Violet Line (light rail), totaling €650 million. The Circular Line, set to open in the second half of 2025, will connect the Rato station to Cais do Sodré, adding two kilometers of track and two new stations (Estrela and Santos), linking the Yellow and Green Lines in a new circular route in central Lisbon. An investment of €331 million is planned for this line's construction, including the renovation of the existing Cais do Sodré station.