site.btaAnnual Report of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Shows Human Rights Abuse

The Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2024 report was presented to media and experts on Tuesday. The report of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee identifies serious violations of civil rights, political instability and a lack of commitment from institutions.

The report examines topics such as the right to life, liberty, private and family life, the rights of children, women, LGBTI people, protection from discrimination, freedom of expression, the rights of people in institutions and conditions in prisons. For the first time topics such as digital and climate rights are included in the report.

Krassimir Kanev, Chairperson of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, pointed out that their representatives had been admitted to all state psychiatric hospitals, yet the problems in these institutions are serious. Poor medical care, lack of rehabilitation, understaffing and patients who have remained in hospitals for over 10 years are just some of the problems. The lack of visiting days, locking patients up and sexual assault are among the violations found. He called for a reform that ties funding to treatment results.

Psychologist Kalina Ivanova emphasized that institutionalization results in psychiatric patients losing skills which prevents them from having an independent life. According to Associate Professor Mihail Okoliyski and judge Vladislava Tsarigradska, attempts to reform psychiatric care are being deliberately blocked, and the legislative process on the topic has been terminated without public debate.

Attorney Adela Kachounova, Director of the Legal Program at the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, said that 2024 was "a year of great disappointments", in which judicial reform was politically instrumentalized. Defence lawyer Andrey Yankulov added that despite significant funding, the judicial system is under the influence of “gangster structures” which determine staffing.

Climate rights were also amongst the topics of discussion. According to activist Magdalena Maleeva, they are not abstract notions and air, water and food are fundamental rights. Meglena Antonova, volunteer at Greenpeace’s Bulgarian office, added that adaptation to climate change is key, especially with regard to access to water. She added that institutions often hide data on air pollution.

The report contains findings from the monitoring activities of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, carried out under projects supported by the Oak Foundation, UNHCR, UNICEF Bulgaria and the European Union. The report itself was not funded by these donors. It was published with the support of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Bulgaria and the BCause Foundation. The content has not been prepared in coordination with the donors and does not reflect their position.