United Nations Human Rights Committee (2022), Evaluation of the information on follow-up to the concluding observations on Bulgaria, 5 December 2022

Country

Bulgaria

Title

United Nations Human Rights Committee (2022), Evaluation of the information on follow-up to the concluding observations on Bulgaria, 5 December 2022

View full Research

Year

2022

Type of publication

Report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

UN body

Institution

Human Rights Committee I United Nations

Main Thematic Focus

Hate crime

Target Population

Muslims

Key findings

In its follow-up report, the Human Rights Committee reiterates most of its recommendations related to hate speech, hate crime, and national, ethnic and religious minorities noting the lack of information on measures taken by Bulgaria to (1) ensure that persons found to be responsible for acts constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, including public officials, are held accountable, (2) improve the complaints mechanism, especially with regard to hate crimes and hate speech, and data on the number of complaints, investigations, prosecutions and convictions in cases of hate crimes and hate speech, (3) ensure that all cases of hate speech, hate crimes and discrimination against religious groups are thoroughly and promptly investigated and sanctioned.

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

The Human Rights Committee selects a minimum of two and maximum of four recommendations, termed the follow-up recommendations, to be included in the follow-up procedure. These recommendations are indicated in the Committee’s concluding observations issued to a State party following their review by the Committee. When reviewing follow-up reports, the Committee assesses the replies using the scale from A for largely satisfactory replies to E for replies that indicate that the measures taken go against the Committee’s recommendations. As for Bulgaria, recommendations concerned hate speech and hate crimes; national, ethnic and religious minorities; and freedom of expression.

Sample details and representativeness

The report is based on assessing the information received from the State party.

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.