Bulgaria / Administrative Court - Plovdiv / Decision No 2098 of 22 November 2023 on administrative case No 2092/2023
Country
Bulgaria
Title
Bulgaria / Administrative Court - Plovdiv / Decision No 2098 of 22 November 2023 on administrative case No 2092/2023
View full case
Year
2023
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Incident(s) concerned/related
Discrimination
Related Bias motivation
Religion
Groups affected
Muslims
Court/Body type
National Court
Court/Body
Administrative Court - Plovdiv (Административен съд - Пловдив)
Key facts of the case
The case concerns the non-pecuniary damage suffered by the applicant as a result of inhuman and degrading treatment in prison, including discrimination on religious grounds. The applicant, who identifies as Muslim, alleges that the prison administration failed to comply with specific dietary requirements during religious holidays.
Main reasoning/argumentation
The court found that the defendant, the General Directorate Execution of Sentences (GDES) (Главна дирекция „Изпълнение на наказанията", ГДИН), engaged in unlawful inaction, particularly in relation to the specific facts of the case. This included the applicant's claim of religious discrimination, as the prison administration did not accommodate their dietary needs during religious holidays.
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 court upheld the lower court’s conclusion that, due to the prison administration's unlawful inaction - including discriminatory treatment - the applicant was subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, in violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
The court ordered the General Directorate Execution of Sentences (GDES) (Главна дирекция „Изпълнение на наказанията", ГДИН) to pay a compensation of BGN 15,000 (approximately €7,500) to the applicant for the non-pecuniary damage suffered due to the inhuman and degrading treatment, including religious discrimination.
Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details
„Според чл. 3, ал. 2 ЗИНЗС, за нарушение на ал. 1 се смята и поставянето в неблагоприятни условия за изтърпяване на наказанието лишаване от свобода или задържането под стража, изразяващи се в липса на достатъчно жилищна площ, храна, облекло, отопление, осветление, проветряване, медицинско обслужване, условия за двигателна активност, продължителна изолация без възможност за общуване, необоснована употреба на помощни средства, както и други подобни действия, бездействия или обстоятелства, които уронват човешкото достойнство или пораждат чувство на страх, незащитеност или малоценност, действия или бездействия на техни органи и длъжностни лица при или по повод извършване на административна дейност.“
“According to Article 3(2) of the Execution of Sentences and Detention in Custody Act, placing an individual in unfavourable conditions while serving a prison sentence or being held in custody - such as insufficient living space, inadequate food, clothing, heating, lighting, ventilation, medical care, or opportunities for physical activity - constitutes a violation of Article 3(1). Other conditions, including prolonged isolation without communication, the unjustified use of restraining devices, or any actions, inactions, or circumstances that undermine human dignity or create feelings of fear, helplessness, or inferiority, are also considered violations when carried out by prison authorities or officials in the course of their duties.”
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