site.btaAssociation of Syrians in Bulgaria Question Authenticity of Media Interview with Syrian Girl Warning of Animosity against Bulgarians

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Association of Syrians in Bulgaria
Question Authenticity of Media Interview with
Syrian Girl Warning of Animosity against Bulgarians


Sofia, August 18 (BTA) - An Association for Protection of Syrian Refugees and representatives of the Syrian community in Bulgaria spoke to the press Thursday to say that the Syrians are fleeing a war and have not come here to commit crimes. They put to question the authenticity of a media interview with a 16-year-old Syrian girl who says that the Syrians despise Christians and would go out of their ways to harm, even kill, Bulgarians for their way of life.

The interview first appeared in the VsekiDen e-zine and is widely reproduced by other on-line media outlets.

The Association doubt that it is a real interview and urged the security services in Bulgaria to look into the matter.

They believe this adds fuel to the hate speech against protection seekers in Bulgaria, which they say is becoming increasingly wide spread, as are xenophobia and discrimination.

The Association said that the vast majority of Syrian migrants in Bulgaria have fled a war and are thankful to Bulgaria for providing them shelter and protection.

They said they feel Bulgaria as their home-away-from-home.

They suspect that some may be using the refugees for hidden political agendas.

The Association stressed that migrants should respect the Bulgarian law and traditions, and make an effort to be integrated. They can have a future in Bulgaria and contribute to the Bulgarian economy.

They said Bulgarian people are showing empathy and solidarity with the refugees. They see no clash here between religions, cultures and civilizations. There is a conflict between civilization and barbarity, between democracy and tyranny.

A study by the Percepticaa group for media research conducted in March found that there is a growing animosity towards refugees in the Bulgarian social media with close to half of the social media users (47 per cent) being against accepting refugees. 25 per cent were positive to the idea and 28 per cent were neutral. Facebook users demonstrated the highest degree of animosity, with 57 per cent of all posts being critical towards refugees and migrants, vs. 11 per cent positive and 32 per cent neutral. LN/

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