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Letter
Commissioner asks Bulgarian lawmakers to reject amendments that would undermine the human rights of LGBTI people
In a letter to the President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty asks Bulgarian lawmakers to refrain from adopting proposed amendments to the Child Protection Act and other laws, expressing concern about their compatibility with Council of Europe and...
Letter
Bulgaria: Emergency shelter, access to basic services and adequate housing measures needed for Roma left homeless in Sofia
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty raises concern about the situation of numerous Roma left homeless following the recent demolition of their homes by the authorities in Sofia, despite an interim measure issued by the...
Letter
Commissioner seeks clarification on investigations into alleged pushbacks of migrants trying to cross the border into Bulgaria
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today her letter to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security and Minister of Interior of Bulgaria, in which she expresses concern about recent media reports regarding pushbacks at...
Letter
Bulgaria: improve protection from violence against women and domestic violence
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice of Bulgaria published today, Commissioner Mijatović calls on the Bulgarian authorities to improve the legal and institutional protection of victims of violence against women and domestic violence. The Commissioner stresses...
Rule 9
Bulgarian authorities should prevent forced evictions, tackle the stigmatisation and marginalisation of Roma and improve their access to adequate housing, including social housing
The Commissioner published today her submission to the Committee of Ministers in the context of the supervision of the execution of the judgment of 24 April 2012 by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Yordanova and Others v. Bulgaria. The case concerns the planned eviction of Roma...
Statement
Bulgaria must investigate police violence against journalists
“I am concerned at numerous reports of police violence against journalists covering demonstrations in Sofia”, said today the Commissioner. “Several journalists were reportedly beaten up and pepper sprayed when riot police clashed with demonstrators yesterday in Sofia. One journalist was...
Country visit report
Stronger commitment needed to combat racism, fight gender stereotypes and increase media freedom in Bulgaria
Today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published a report on the visit to Bulgaria she carried out in November 2019. The report focuses on racism, intolerance and discrimination; violence against women and domestic violence; and media freedom. The Commissioner...
Country visit
Bulgaria should counter harmful narratives endangering human rights and step up efforts to fight hate speech and domestic violence
“The government should step up its efforts to fight the hate speech prevailing today in Bulgaria in particular against Roma, LGBTI people and other minority groups” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, today after a 5-day visit to the country. Hate speech and...
Statement
Commissioner's statement on the murder of Bulgarian journalist Victoria Marinova
"I am appalled by the murder of journalist Victoria Marinova in Bulgaria. I call on the authorities to urgently and fully investigate this horrendous crime and ensure that those responsible, including the masterminds, are held accountable. The fact that her latest reporting work was related to...
Opinion article
The Istanbul Convention protects women, without hidden purposes
24 Hours, 25 January 2018 For many people, home means a refuge, a place where one can enjoy family life freely and safely, where love is a part of everyday life. But for victims of domestic violence, home means just the opposite. It is a place where torment and violence turn a refuge into a trap,...
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* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
1 On 16 March 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision by which the Russian Federation ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe, after 26 years of membership.