Police Violence, Judicial Failure, Wars, Politics and the Persecution of a People for Centuries

 

Chapter One: What Happened After the Cameras Left

A Night in Faro – 11 July 2020

The question may appear simple, yet it touches one of the greatest dilemmas of our century.

Humanity has entered an era characterised not only by technological progress but also by profound moral, political and social uncertainty.

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of institutions that many believed to be solid and reliable. Governments struggled, health systems were overwhelmed, and entire populations found themselves living under restrictions that would have seemed unimaginable only months before.

At the same time, the war in Ukraine demonstrated that large-scale armed conflict had not disappeared from Europe. Cities were destroyed, millions were displaced, and the world once again witnessed the devastating consequences of geopolitical confrontation.

In the Middle East, the attacks carried out by Hamas and the subsequent military response by Israel generated immense human suffering, reigniting historical wounds that continue to divide international opinion and challenge diplomatic solutions.

Across Africa, numerous conflicts continue to devastate communities. Civil wars, terrorism, ethnic tensions, political instability and humanitarian crises have become part of the daily reality of millions of people whose suffering rarely receives sustained international attention.

Meanwhile, confidence in public institutions continues to erode.

In Portugal, debates surrounding allegations of police violence, including the events that occurred in Faro in July 2020, have raised broader questions concerning police accountability, transparency and public trust.

Beyond Portugal, many countries continue to face accusations regarding excessive use of force, failures in protecting vulnerable individuals, violence against women, abuse of minors and shortcomings in judicial systems that are often perceived as slow, overwhelmed or disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary citizens.

In France, public debate surrounding the justice system intensified during the tenure of Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti. His legal proceedings, although ending in acquittal, fuelled wider discussions regarding institutional independence, political influence and public confidence in the judiciary.

The Patrick Bruel affair also became emblematic of broader societal concerns. Regardless of the final legal outcome, the case highlighted difficult questions concerning allegations of sexual violence, delayed reporting, celebrity influence and the challenges faced by judicial systems when dealing with accusations spanning several decades.

These events do not exist in isolation.

Together they form part of a wider atmosphere of uncertainty, doubt and growing social tension.

Many citizens no longer trust political leaders.

Many no longer trust the media.

Many no longer trust the justice system.

Many no longer trust the police.

And increasingly, many no longer trust each other.

This climate of distrust has created fertile ground for conspiracy theories, ideological radicalisation and social hostility.

The result is a society that often appears exhausted, angry and divided.

A society connected by technology yet separated by suspicion.

A society flooded with information yet struggling to distinguish truth from manipulation.

A society capable of extraordinary scientific achievements yet unable to eradicate war, violence, injustice and hatred.

History teaches that periods of uncertainty often precede profound transformations.

The twentieth century witnessed dictatorships, propaganda, persecution, world wars and unprecedented human suffering.

Today, the warning signs are different, but the underlying questions remain remarkably similar.

How much power should institutions possess?

How much freedom should citizens sacrifice in the name of security?

How can justice remain independent from politics?

How can truth survive in an age dominated by algorithms, information overload and artificial intelligence?

And perhaps most importantly:

Can a civilisation survive when doubt becomes stronger than trust?

The answer to that question may well determine the future of humanity itself.

It also coincided with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence technologies, which have increasingly influenced political communication, information flow, and public perception, sometimes amplifying disagreement, confusion, and institutional mistrust.

In France, discussions around judicial reform and institutional balance were also highly visible during this period. The role of Minister of Justice Éric Dupond-Moretti became particularly symbolic, as he himself was subject to legal proceedings related to allegations of conflicts of interest involving magistrates. Although he was ultimately acquitted, the case contributed to wider public debate about the relationship between political power and the judiciary, and the level of trust between institutions and citizens.

Taken together, these developments reflect a broader shift: a period in which health crisis, political tension, technological acceleration, and institutional controversy converged, reshaping public perception of authority, justice, and social stability.

The return of beliefs and interpretations shaped by ideology is not a recent phenomenon. Its origins are deeply rooted in human history itself.

The reasons for this, in my view, go far beyond religion alone. They are linked to the broader nature of human ambition and the recurring desire for control over societies, resources, and ultimately the Earth itself.

Throughout centuries, different systems of belief — religious, political, or ideological — have often been used as instruments of influence, justification, or power.

Whether this dynamic is an unavoidable part of human nature or a long-standing historical pattern is still open to interpretation. Some may see it as a form of fiction repeated across centuries; others may see it as a constant structure of human civilisation.

Si les êtres humains ont été capables de créer des guerres, des dictatures, des propagandes et des injustices, seront-ils capables d'utiliser une intelligence artificielle avec suffisamment de sagesse pour qu'elle serve l'humanité plutôt que le pouvoir ?

SAISI