Bulgaria

Racist and hate crime are punishable in accordance with the Criminal Code although it does not use and does not define the terms racist/hate crime. The number of cases for racist crimes brought to court and the number of convicted individuals is very low. NGOs say this is due to the fact that offenders are usually charged with ordinary crimes and thus the justice system fails to address the racist nature of the crimes.

Clear
  • Anti-discrimination Legislation & Implementation

    In Bulgaria, the Law on Protection against Discrimination regulates the prohibition of discrimination and protection of all rights and freedoms proclaimed by the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Bulgaria in accordance with the International Conventions and the EU law.  A specialised equality body Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) receives and investigates complaints for cases of discrimination.

    • Is racial discrimination defined in national law?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      Racial discrimination is defined in the Law on Protection against Discrimination (LPD) together with the other forms of discrimination. According to Article 4 (1) of the LPD any direct or indirect discrimination based on sex, race, nationality, ethnicity, human genome, citizenship, origin, religion or belief, education, views, political allegiance, personal or social status, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, property status, or on any other ground, established by law or an international treaty whereto the Republic of Bulgaria is a party, shall be prohibited. According to Article 4 (2) of the LPD direct discrimination means the treatment of someone less favourably than another person is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation, on any of the grounds referred to in Article 4 (1). According to Article 4 (3) indirect discrimination means any case where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put a person, on the grounds referred to in Article 4 (1), at a particular disadvantage compared to other individuals, unless that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim, and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.

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    • Is there a definition of discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnic origin and/or religion in national law in conformity with the EU Directives?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      The definition of discrimination provided by Article 4 of the Law on Protection against Discrimination fully complies with Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000, implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, and Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. According to Article 4 (1) of the LPD "any direct or indirect discrimination based on sex, race, nationality, ethnicity, human genome, citizenship, origin, religion or belief, education, views, political allegiance, personal or social status, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, property status, or on any other ground, established by law or an international treaty whereto the Republic of Bulgaria is a party, shall be prohibited". According to Article 4 (2) of the LPD "direct discrimination means the treatment of someone less favourably than another person is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation, on any of the grounds referred to in Article 4 (1)." According to Article 4 (3) "indirect discrimination means any case where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put a person, on the grounds referred to in Article 4 (1), at a particular disadvantage compared to other individuals, unless that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim, and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary".

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    • Does the national law cover all grounds of discrimination as in the International Conventions and EU law or additional discrimination grounds?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      The national law covers all forms of discrimination listed in the EU law (Council Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union), in proposed new EU legislation (Proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation) and in other international legal acts (Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe). Some specific grounds mentioned in individual international acts (e.g. colour, birth, etc.) are not explicitly listed in the Law on Protection against Discrimination (LPD), but nevertheless they apply according to the explicit provision of Article 4 (1) of the LPD that discrimination on any ground, established by an international treaty whereto the Republic of Bulgaria is a party, shall be prohibited.

      As of 2012 the LPD was amended to comply with DIRECTIVE 2010/41/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the application of the principle of equal treatment between men and women engaged in an activity in a selfemployed capacity and repealing Council Directive 86/613/EEC.

      External Url http://lex.bg/laws/ldoc/2135472223

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  • Anti-racist Crime Legislation & Implementation

    The Bulgarian Criminal Code incriminates the racist crime and hate speech without defining the terms racist crime/ hate crime.  The number of criminal proceedings for racist crime is very low and it is not adequate to the real number of racist incidents reported by NGOs.

    • Is there legislation against racist and hate crime?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      Provisions concerning racist and hate crime are included in the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code does not use and does not define the term racist-hate. It only describes the type of behaviour to be punished. According to Article 162 (1) of the Criminal Code everyone who promotes or incites to discrimination, violence or hatred on the grounds of race, nationality or ethnicity through speech, print or another mass media, through electronic information systems or otherwise is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand. According to Article 162 (2) of the Criminal Code everyone who uses violence against another person or damages his/her property because of his/her race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or political convictions is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand.

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is there a legal definition of racist-hate crime?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      No. The Criminal Code does not use and does not define the term racist-hate. It only describes the type of behaviour to be punished. According to Article 162 (1) of the Criminal Code everyone who promotes or incites to discrimination, violence or hatred on the grounds of race, nationality or ethnicity through speech, print or another mass media, through electronic information systems or otherwise is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand. According to Article 162 (2) of the Criminal Code everyone who uses violence against another person or damages his/her property because of his/her race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or political convictions is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand.

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is there a legal definition of hate speech?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      The Criminal Code does not provide for a legal definition of hate speech. It only describes the type of behaviour to be punished. According to Article 162 (1) of the Criminal Code everyone who promotes or incites to discrimination, violence or hatred on the grounds of race, nationality or ethnicity through speech, print or another mass media, through electronic information systems or otherwise is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand. According to Article 162 (2) of the Criminal Code everyone who uses violence against another person or damages his/her property because of his/her race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or political convictions is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand.

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
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    • Are there legal definitions of racist incident and racist violence?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      The Criminal Code does not provide for a legal definition racist incident and racist violence. It only describes the type of behaviour to be punished. According to Article 162 (1) of the Criminal Code everyone who promotes or incites to discrimination, violence or hatred on the grounds of race, nationality or ethnicity through speech, print or another mass media, through electronic information systems or otherwise is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand. According to Article 162 (2) of the Criminal Code everyone who uses violence against another person or damages his/her property because of his/her race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or political convictions is liable to imprisonment of 1 up to 4 years and a fine of 5,000 up to 10,000 Levs (approximately 2,500 up to 5,000 Euro) as well as public reprimand.

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
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    • Is there a legislation penalising, or prohibiting the establishment of, organisations which promote, incite, propagate or organize racial discrimination against an individual or group of individuals? Is membership of such organisations treated as an offence under the law?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      According to Article 162 (3) of the Criminal Code, a person who establishes or leads an organisation or a group, which has the objective of committing the crimes referred to in Article 162 (1) and (2) shall be punished by imprisonment of one up to six years and a fine to the amount of 10,000 up to 30,000 Levs as well as by public reprimand. According to Article 162 (4) of the Criminal Code, the membership of such an organisation or a group shall be punished by imprisonment of up to three years and by public reprimand. The crimes referred to in Article 162 (1) of the Criminal Code are: promoting or inciting to discrimination, violence or hatred on the grounds of race, nationality or ethnicity through speech, print or another mass media, through electronic information systems or otherwise. The crimes referred to in Article 162 (2) of the Criminal Code are: use of violence against another person or damaging another person’s property because of his/her race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or political convictions.

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
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    • Is there an independent assessment of the impact of anti-racist legislation and its application in practice?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      No. There is no independent overall assessment of the impact of the anti-racist criminal legislation and its application in practice. In its report on Bulgaria of 2009, ECRI recommends the Bulgarian authorities to make sure that racist crimes are duly punished in accordance with the law. ECRI also notes that the Bulgarian authorities should give priority to the prosecution of racist and xenophobic crimes and to collect and publish accurate data and statistics in this area.

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
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    • Is there an estimate or evidence that hate crime cases/incidents are under-reported disproportionately in relation to other crimes?

      Qualitative Info

      According to available official statistics the number of criminal proceedings for racist crime is very low (only 30 pre-trial proceedings for such crimes were instituted for the period 2006-2009). In the same time the information about the number of reported incidents to the police is confidential, so it is not possible to assess whether racist crimes are not reported to the police or the reported crimes are not investigated as racist crimes. However, in the ECRI report on Bulgaria of 2009, the Bulgarian authorities state that they receive few complaints for racist crimes. NGOs, on the other hand, report that hate crime cases are prosecuted as conventional crime, e.g. hooliganism.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is policing reported to be adequate in terms of combating racist violence/hate crime effectively?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

       In its written comments to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee notes that although the state does not collect any statistics on the racially motivated hate crime, under unofficial information the number of private racist attacks has increased during the 2004-2008 period. Skinheads and other racist groups assault Roma or foreigners with darker skin colour. According to the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee in cases of racist crime, when prosecuted, the offenders are usually charged with ordinary crimes (murder, bodily injury, destruction of property, etc.) and thus the Bulgarian criminal justice system fails to address the racist nature of the crimes and to offer appropriate protection, the BHC comments say.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Refugees
      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism

      External Url http://www.bghelsinki.org/index.php?module=resources&lg=en&id=0&cat_id=18#2009

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is the judiciary reported to be adequately and effectively combating racist violence/hate crime?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      The number of cases for racist crimes brought to court and the number of convicted individuals is very low (only two individuals were convicted for such crimes during the period 2009-2010). According to the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee this is due to the fact that offenders are usually charged with ordinary crimes (murder, bodily injury, destruction of property, etc.) and thus the justice system fails to address the racist nature of the crimes.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism

      External Url http://www.bghelsinki.org/index.php?module=resources&lg=en&id=0&cat_id=18#2009

      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • In the context of hate crime, is racist motivation treated as an aggravating circumstance?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      As of May 2011, racist and xenophobic motivation is treated as an aggravating circumstance by the law in the cases of murder (Article 116 (1) 11 of the Criminal Code) and bodily injury (Article 131 (1) 12 of the Criminal Code).

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
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    • If there is a legal provision on racist motivation as an aggravating factor, how often is it applied? What kind of sanctions/penalties are issued?

      The legal provisions on racist motivation as an aggravating factor are effective since 27 May 2011 and there is no relevant practice on their implementation.

      Qualitative Info

      The penalties provided for by these provisions are as follows: for murder with racist or xenophobic motivation – imprisonment of 10 up to 20 years, life imprisonment or life imprisonment without parole; and for bodily injury with racist or xenophobic motivation – imprisonment of 3 up to 15 years for heavy bodily injury, imprisonment of 2 up to 10 years for medium bodily injury, imprisonment of up to three years for light bodily injury with health disorder and imprisonment of up to 1 year or probation for light bodily injury without health disorder.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Does national legislation provide specific sanctions against public servants reported as perpetrators of racist violence/hate crime?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      The law does not make a difference whether the offender is a public servant or not. The court may take into account the occupation of the offender when determining the penalty.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Have public servants been reported as being perpetrators of racist violence/hate crime?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      There is no available information about the occupation of the offenders of racist crimes.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Anti-racism
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  • Political Parties-organisations - Racist & Xenophobic Discourse

    The hate speech/racist-xenophobic discourse is more likely accidental in Bulgaria’s political life and it is usually subjected to criticism by the public. ATAKA is probably the most popular nationalistic party in Bulgaria. Its leader is known for his xenophobic statements. Nationalistic disclosure is also connected with the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO).

    • Are there political parties that express racist or xenophobic sentiments/discourse in the form of hate speech or promote an anti-migrant and/or anti-minority agenda?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      ATAKA is probably the most popular nationalistic party in Bulgaria. In 2005 elections it campaigned under the slogan "Let's Give Bulgaria back to Bulgarians." It won the backing of 300,000 people, becoming the fourth largest party. ATAKA’s head Volen Siderov was widely known for his xenophobic statements. In 2011, he was convicted by court for making discriminatory remarks. Among ATAKA’s most popular campaigns was the ban on state-television broadcasts of Turkish-language news, protests against the speakers of the mosque in Sofia, etc.

      Nationalist emotions are also connected with the re-establishment of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO) in the 1990s. Before the First World War and between the two world wars the organization was internationally known as an incorporation of militant Bulgarian nationalist ideology and politics. However, despite its influence among some groups of the Bulgarian youth, the party is not a stable and influential political force. Its supporters, however, have been participating in the collision with the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Burgas, in the protests supporting the people of Katunitsa, and other major nationalistic events.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
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    • Parties that express xenophobic discourse in the form of hate speech or promote an anti-migrant and/or anti-minority agenda

      Yes. These are ATAKA and IMRO.

      Qualitative Info

      ATAKA is probably the most popular nationalistic party in Bulgaria. In 2005 elections it campaigned under the slogan "Let's Give Bulgaria back to Bulgarians." It won the backing of 300,000 people, becoming the fourth largest party. ATAKA’s head Volen Siderov was widely known for his xenophobic statements. In 2011, he was convicted by court for making discriminatory remarks. Among ATAKA’s most popular campaigns was the ban on state-television broadcasts of Turkish-language news, protests against the speakers of the mosque in Sofia, etc.

      Nationalist emotions are also connected with the re-establishment of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO) in the 1990s. Before the First World War and between the two world wars the organization was internationally known as an incorporation of militant Bulgarian nationalist ideology and politics. However, despite its influence among some groups of the Bulgarian youth, the party is not a stable and influential political force. Its supporters, however, have been participating in the collision with the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Burgas, in the protests supporting the people of Katunitsa, and other major nationalistic events.

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Political discourse -parties - orgs

      External Url http://rezultati.cik2009.bg/results/proportional/rik_00.html

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    • Is hate speech/racist-xenophobic discourse a wider, more 'mainstream', phenomenon in the political sphere?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      The hate speech/racist-xenophobic discourse is more likely to be defined as accidental and it is usually subjected to criticism by the public.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Ethnic minorities

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Political discourse -parties - orgs
      • Anti-racism
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Nation-wide organisations that express racist or xenophobic sentiments/discourse in the form either of hate speech or promote an anti-migrant and/or anti-minority agenda

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      However, there are media reports about the existence of neo-Nazi organisations operating locally in Bulgaria’s second largest city of Plovdiv. According to the media, the Blood and Honour organisation unifies the skinheads, while three other organisations, named Combat 18, C 18, and Plovdiv 28, bring together people with fascist views. The most popular of these organisations has some 400-500 supporters. The majority of the organisations’ followers are teenagers of lower positions in the hierarchy forming so called ‘squads for self-protection’. Their leaders are described as of age of 30s and 40s, well educated and with prestigious professions. These organisations are alleged of being responsible for numerous street fights, attacks against Roma, migrants, and homosexuals.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants
      • Ethnic minorities
      • Religious minorities
      • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

      Type (R/D)

      • Extremism - organised Racist Violence

      External Url http://www.monitor.bg/article?id=219011

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  • Anti-racist Policies & Organisations

    There are no specific government policies on combating racism and related ideologies. The civil society organisations are active in opposing racist activities.

  • Policing - Law Enforcement - Justice

    The law enforcement and judiciary officials do not undergo regular training on anti-racism or cultural sensitivity. Certain projects are implemented under which a limited number of police officers undergo human rights trainings in an irregular basis. The law enforcement regulations do not define ethnic profiling. Studies by NGOs show that police stops are often motivated by individuals’ ethnicity.

  • Employment

    The unemployment rates of the Turkish and Roma minority groups are lower than those of the Bulgarians. Under official data 87.7% of the Bulgarians in work age are employed, while within the Turkish minority group that share stands at 74.3%. The lowest employment rate is observed within the Roma ethnic group - 50.2% of the population in work age. Unemployment rate of migrants is close to the one of Bulgarians. Data on employment rate among refugees in not available.

  • Housing & Segregation

    The concentration of Roma in segregated neighborhoods is an emerging problem in both urban and rural areas. This concentration in separate quarters usually leads to social isolation, to the deterioration of living conditions, problems with construction and maintenance of infrastructure and sanitation, to transport problems and difficulties in providing services. There have also been examples of forced evictions of Roma families illegally occupying certain territories.

    • Is there evidence of significant levels of segregation between migrant groups and the majority population?

      No.

      Qualitative Info

      The number of migrants in Bulgaria is not that high allowing formation of segregated areas.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Housing
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    • What is the ethnic origin of the highly segregated migrant group?

      There are no eminent segregated migrant groups.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Migrants

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Housing
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    • Is there evidence of significant levels of segregation between minority groups and the majority population?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      Probably the most serious problem faced by Roma is the increasing spatial differentiation of their community. The concentration of Roma in segregated neighborhoods has increased over the last 15 years in both urban and rural areas. This concentration in separate quarters usually leads to social isolation, to the deterioration of living conditions, problems with construction and maintenance of infrastructure and sanitation, to transport problems and difficulties in providing services. One of the worst consequences of this differentiation is the deterioration of the opportunity for younger generations to access quality education and the growing demand and difficulties in finding employment.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Roma & Travelers

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Housing

      External Url http://www.nccedi.government.bg/page.php?category=125&id=1633

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    • What is the ethnic origin of the highly segregated minority group?

      Roma.

      Qualitative Info

      Probably the most serious problem faced by Roma is the increasing spatial differentiation of their community. The concentration of Roma in segregated neighborhoods has increased over the last 15 years in both urban and rural areas. This concentration in separate quarters usually leads to social isolation, to the deterioration of living conditions, problems with construction and maintenance of infrastructure and sanitation, to transport problems and difficulties in providing services. One of the worst consequences of this differentiation is the deterioration of the opportunity for younger generations to access quality education and the growing demand and difficulties in finding employment.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Roma & Travelers

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Housing
      See other countriesSee indicator history
    • Is there evidence of denial of housing/housing rights for certain ethnic groups?

      Yes.

      Qualitative Info

      There have been examples of forced evictions of Roma families illegally occupying certain territories. The forced eviction of Romani families from the Sredetz neighbourhood in the Vazrazhdane district of Sofia was followed by a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) after which the forced eviction was suspended. Another example is the decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) on Complaint No 31/2005, European Roma Rights Centre v. Bulgaria. The ECSR issued a decision concluding that , among all, ‘the lack of legal security of tenure and the non-respect of the conditions accompanying eviction of Roma families from dwellings unlawfully occupied by them’ constitute violations of Article 16 of the Revised European Social Charter taken together with Article E.

      Another case of denial of housing rights concerns the refugees in Bulgaria. Under the national and municipal legislation socially vulnerable families can apply for accessing a municipality-owned residential property. The municipal regulations, however, for example in Sofia, require that at least one member of the applicant families should have been registered at a permanent address in Sofia for at least 10 years without interruption.

      Groups affected/interested

      • Refugees
      • Roma & Travelers

      Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas

      • Housing

      External Url http://sofiacouncil.bg/?page=ordinance&id=57

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  • Education

    There is evidence about significantly lower enrollment rates among Roma. School segregation is another main problem regarding the Roma minority. Part of Roma children are enrolled in schools without sufficient knowledge of Bulgarian language and without being mastered basic knowledge and skills necessary to cope in the learning process. Refugees also face problems related to insufficient language skills that impact negatively their educational performance.

  • Health And Social Protection

    More than 33% of the Roma of the age of above 15 have never paid health insurance and thus deprived from the rights of health-insured persons, compared to some 6.0% of the Bulgarians. Different epidemics are specific to the Roma group. They are related to the ineffectiveness of immunisation campaigns among the inhabitants of segregated Roma neighbourhoods.

  • Public Life, Culture, Sport & Media

    Self-identification of individuals is the only criterion for recognition of minority or ethnic groups' rights by the state. The State generally respects the freedom of peaceful assembly and the freedom of association for migrants. However, the ECtHR has repeatedly sentenced Bulgaria for denying the right of association by refusing to register OMO Ilinden Pirin - an organization that promotes the recognition of Macedonian minority in Bulgaria.