Council of Europe (2024), Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - Fifth Opinion on Bulgaria, 29 May 2024.

Country

Bulgaria

Title

Council of Europe (2024), Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - Fifth Opinion on Bulgaria, 29 May 2024.

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Year

2024

Publication type

Report - official data on incidents

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Council of Europe body

Institution

Bulgaria, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), Council of Europe

Thematic focus

Hate crime

Groups

Religious minorities Roma & Travellers

Key findings

The report highlights ongoing challenges for national minorities, especially Roma and Turks. Despite legislative gains and better access to education, issues like systemic discrimination, poor housing, and lack of identity documents persist. Hate rhetoric – including anti-Roma, anti-Muslim, and antisemitic speech – continues from some politicians and media. A Friedrich Ebert Foundation study shows growing ethnocentrism, with only 22% of respondents open to co-residing with Turks and 15% to family ties. Although Muslims make up 10.8% of the population, mosque availability is limited, and halal food has been denied in Turkish-majority kindergartens. Minority language education remains low, with a sharp drop in Turkish language instruction despite 8.7% reporting it as their mother tongue. The Committee calls for urgent action to safeguard minority cultures, expand healthcare access, improve participation in decision-making, and increase funding for cultural programs, alongside structural reforms for equality and inclusion.

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

Mixed Methods (a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches): surveys, questionnaires, thematic analysis

Sample details and representativeness

N/A - not applicable/available

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