site.btaEU Anti-Racism Body: Bulgaria Progresses on Roma, Lags on LGBTQ Rights

Representatives of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) Wednesday reported on the results under two priorities for Bulgaria set in the 2022 monitoring report. One of the ECRI rapporteurs for Bulgaria, Jens Vedsted-Hansen, told journalists here there has been progress under the recommendation to incrеase the number and activity distribution of Roma mediators in healthcare, education, and employment. However, Bulgaria has not implemented the recommendation related to the rights and equality of the LGBTQ community, namely to establish a working group and adopt a national action plan.

Jens Vedsted-Hansen took part in a news conference together with ECRI Chair Bertil Cottier and Commission for Protection against Discrimination head Ana Dzhumalieva.

Jens Vedsted-Hansen underscored that the two recommendations with a high priority are only part of the 15 made in the report. The ECRI can made recommendations and advice the member countries but not sanction them, the Commission representatives explained.

The report on Bulgaria also mentions the problem with the demolition of Roma homes, he said in reply to BTA's questions about the demolition of illegal buildings in Sofia's Zaharna Fabrica borough. The ECRI knows about this case but cannot comment on it specifically, he explained. The European Court of Human Rights has already reacted to such cases and is still reviewing some, the expert added. 

Cottier commented that it is not in the ECRI's power to react immediately to specific issues, but its general policies read that the eviction of the Roma population is not advisable.

Dzhumalieva said that the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) has initiated proceedings based on her self-referral report against the mayor of the respective borough. "We hope to examine the case quickly, although it is very complicated from a legal point of view, and to come up with a decision," she added.  

The issue of Roma rights will be addressed during the round table that the CPD and ECRI are organising Thursday at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia. The event aims to contribute positively to the national debate on combating racism, intolerance and related discrimination in the country, the CPD said. Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, who chairs the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Integration Issues, is expected to attend the event.