Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Министерство на външните работи) (2020), National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/21, 13 February 2020.

Country

Bulgaria

Title

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Министерство на външните работи) (2020), National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/21, 13 February 2020.

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Year

2020

Type of publication

Report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Public authority

Institution

Bulgaria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Министерство на външните работи

Main Thematic Focus

Racism & xenophobia

Target Population

General population

Key findings

The report highlights the developments, which took place between the second and third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. In 2019 the Prosecutor's Office published a Guidance for Practical Implementation of Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and manifestations of racism and xenophobia through the criminal law provisions. Projects related to reporting on cases of hate crime are being finalised. The Commission for Protection against Discrimination is a national contact point regarding the collection and provision of information related to hate crimes to the ODIHR/OSCE. The Radio and Television Act also sets out provisions requiring media service providers to prevent the creation and distribution of programmes that incite hatred based on race, gender, religion or nationality. During the referred one-year period, two penal decrees were issued - to the political party ATAKA, in its capacity of a provider of audio-visual media service "ALFA TV" (for offensive qualifications and hate speech), and to "Nova Broadcasting Group" (for broadcasting violence). A first-ever march of tolerance "Together for Bulgaria, together for Europe” took place in March 2019 gathering more than 1,500 people.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The report is compiled based on a review of national legislative and policy documents, official data provided by public authorities and consultations with stakeholders.

Sample details and representativeness

N/A

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