Bulgaria / Commission for Protection against Discrimination / Decision No 49 of 26 January 2024 of the Five-member Extended Panel of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination
Country
Bulgaria
Title
Year
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Incident(s) concerned/related
Related Bias motivation
Groups affected
Court/Body type
Court/Body
Key facts of the case
Main reasoning/argumentation
The Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) (Комисия за защита от дискриминация, КЗД) determined that the defendant engaged in discrimination based on religion, as defined under Article 4(1) of the Protection against Discrimination Act (Закон за защита от дискриминация).
Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?
Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case
The equality body found that the defendant’s statements constituted unwanted conduct which, even if unintentional, harmed the dignity of the applicant.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
As this was the defendant’s first violation of anti-discrimination law, the equality body imposed the minimum fine of BGN 250 (approximately €125).
Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details
„Изречените от Ц. думи са нежелано поведение, изразено словесно, което дори и да не е имало за цел, то с казаните думи именно в контекста и ситуацията, в която са използвани, е накърнило достойнството на Д., тези думи са за него обидни и унизителни." "The defendant’s words, expressed verbally, constitute unwanted behaviour that, within the specific context and circumstances in which they were used, violated the dignity of the applicant. Regardless of intent, the remarks were offensive and humiliating to them."