site.btaCommission for Protection against Discrimination Has No Offices in Four Regions due to Lack of Finances

The Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) has not yet opened offices in four regions in Bulgaria (Pleven, Haskovo, Yambol and Kyustendil) due to lack of financial resources, according to a report on the CPD activities for 2022, adopted by Parliament.

The report says that the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance recommends and encourages the opening of local CPD offices to cover Bulgaria’s whole territory so that victims of discrimination are provided access to its services no matter where they are. Currently, CPD has 24 offices in 24 regional centres across the country.

During the reporting period, the Commission received 385 complaints, 65 alerts and 61 reports for considering issues on its own initiative. In 2022, the CPD issued a total of 565 decisions, 333 of which entered into force and 318 were not appealed by the parties.

CPD has also implemented various initiatives, meetings with citizens, receptions. Being the institution chairing the Monitoring Council under the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Commission has organized and held a number of meetings, the report also said.

The importance of media activities of CPD representatives was highlighted. CPD’s interaction and partnership relations with national and international institutions, and NGOs were also noted.