DOCSLIB.ORG

Open Society Institute Sofia

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Open Society Institute - Sofia 2015 Annual Report OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE SOFIA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS Mission 3 1 Report of the Executive Director 5 2 Financial Profile 6 NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009- 3 11 2014 4 European Policies Programme 23 Governance and Public Policies Programme 26 5 Project Generation Facility - 29 Making the Most of European Union Structural Funds for Roma Inclusion 6 Legal Programme 31 7 Public Debate Programme 33 8 Emergency Fund of the Open Society Institute 34 Roma Programme 35 9 Scholarship Programme for doctors and post-graduate medicine students 36 of Roma origin Traineeship Programme at the US Embassy “Bridging Roma and Career 36 Opportunities” with the financial support of the US Embassy 10 Project Design Unit 37 2 MISSION To develop and support the values and practices of the open society in Bulgaria - To support the democratization of the public life - To work for the extension and guaranteeing of civil freedoms - To support the strengthening of civil sector institutions - To support the European integration and regional cooperation of Bulgaria 3 Founder George Soros Board of Trustees Pepka Boyadzhieva, Chair Ivan Bedrov Lachezar Bogdanov Milena Stefanova Petya Kabakchieva Aleksandar Kashamov Executive Director Georgi Stoychev Financial Director Veliko Sherbanov Programme Directors Boyan Zahariev Valentina Kazanska Ivanka Ivanova Dimitar Dimitrov Marin Lesinsky Elitsa Markova Anita Baykusheva Senior Economist Georgi Angelov Sociological Analyses Unit Aleksey Pamporov Dragomira Belcheva Petya Braynova Project Design Unit Elitsa Markova Teodora Ivanova 4 1. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In 2015, the Open Society Institute – Sofia continued working on four main priorities: good governance, rule of law and human rights, European policies and civic participation. The activity of the Institute was carried out through the following programmes: European Policies, Governance and Public Policies, Public Debate, Legal Programme, Roma Programme and NGO Programme. During the reporting period, a total of 175 projects were supported, of which 161 fundings of non-governmental organizations and 14 operational projects implemented directly by the Institute. 291 trainees and scholarship holders of Roma origin were supported, of whom 3 directly by the Institute, and other 288 scholarship holders obtained support under programmes within the Open Society network administered by the Institute. The total amount of the programme costs of the Institute during 2015 reached EUR 3.3 million. The main part of the supported projects and of the amount of the provided grants is associated with the Institute’s role as an operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism. In its capacity of operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA Financial Mechanism (in partnership with Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation), the Institute organized open calls for proposals for granting of financial support to projects of NGOs in four areas: Democracy, human rights and good governance; Social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable groups; Sustainable development and protection of the environment; and Capacity building for NGOs. The involvement of the Institute’s human resources in the management of grantmaking schemes limited its ability to implement operational projects, as well as its flexibility to respond to changes in the environment. These circumstances will affect the Institute’s operations in 2016 as well. Using its own funds and funds from other sources, the Institute continued to carry out research and monitoring initiatives and to encourage the informed public debate in the fields of education, justice, human rights, inclusion of Roma and other disadvantaged groups, integration of Bulgaria to the European Union, public attitudes towards the functioning of democracy and the state of public policies and reforms. The Institute continued providing advisory and consulting services as part of its efforts to guarantee its long-term sustainable development. In this respect, along with the management of grantmaking schemes, during the year the Institute was also involved in the carrying out of a series of analytical and research activities in the field of education and social integration, which were assigned by national and international institutions and organizations. One of the key activities of the Institute was its role in the development and maintaining of the Bulgarian Universities Ranking System, as well as the conducting of surveys in cooperation with the World Bank. Georgi Stoychev Executive Director 5 2. FINANCIAL PROFILE І. Revenues The total amount of the revenues in 2015 comes up to EUR 4 191 thousand as compared to EUR 7 897 thousand in 2014. The revenues from grants during 2015 are to the amount of EUR 3 223 thousand as compared to EUR 6 666 thousand in 2014. 7000 6666 6000 5000 3223 3949 4000 3000 2900 2000 1702 1000 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Fig. 1 Revenues from grants for the period 2011-2015, in thousand EUR In 2012, the Open Society Institute - Sofia was selected as operator of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria funded under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 (EEA FM), whose budget comes up to EUR 11.8 million. In 2015, the amount of the recognized revenues1 from EEA FM comes up to EUR 2 883 thousand as compared to EUR 6 201 thousand in 2014. In 2015, the amount of the recognized revenues from the network of Open Society Foundations comes up to EUR 314 thousand from the following donor institutions: Open Society Institute - Budapest EUR 312 thousand Open Society Institute - Zug EUR 2 thousand For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, the revenues originating from the network of Open Society Foundations came up to EUR 353 thousand. Thanks to the funding from the Open Society Institute - Budapest, in 2015, there continued the implementation of the programme scheme Project Generation Facility – Making the Most of European Union Structural Funds for Roma Inclusion and the amount of recognized 1 These revenues include funds associated with the scheme for granting of financial support for the implementation of projects in 9 thematic priorities under the NGO Programme to the amount of EUR 2 813 thousand. The financial support is granted directly from a bank account especially opened by EEA FM. For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, the amount of recognized revenues associated with the scheme for granting of financial support came up to EUR 6 127 thousand. 6 revenues in 2015 came up to EUR 185 thousand, as well as of the Scheme for supporting of the education in medicine, mentorship and training in advocacy of Roma students to the amount of EUR 93 thousand. In 2015, there were also realized certain programme activities, which were funded by other donors, to the amount of EUR 26 thousand as compared to EUR 111 thousand in 2014. Donor Name of the project Funding in thousand EUR Organization of student Roma Education Fund 21 scholarship scheme Other donors 5 Total 26 Revenues from the Management of the Reserve Fund In 2015, there were realized interests to the amount of EUR 142 thousand. In the end of 2015, the deposited funds amounted to EUR 6.89 million. Business Activity In 2015, the Institute realized revenues from business activity to the amount of EUR 826 thousand from the following activities: Management of the NGO Programme in Bulgaria under the EEA FM EUR 300 thousand Administration of activities of the Open Society Institute - Europe EUR 82 thousand Public procurement contract awarded by the Ministry of Education EUR 134 thousand Sociological survey assigned by the World Bank EUR 277 thousand Survey assigned by America for Bulgaria Foundation EUR 26 thousand Revenues from exchange rate differences associated with EUR 7 thousand the business activity For the purposes of comparison, in 2014, the realized revenues came up to the amount of EUR 997 thousand. Net Assets As at the end of 2015, the amount of the net assets remained EUR 8.3 million as compared to EUR 8.4 million as at the end of 2014. The decrease is due to the funding of activities out of the Institute’s reserve. The balance sheet of the Institute as at 31 December 2015 contains buildings and land to the amount of EUR 368 thousand and investments in subsidiaries to the amount of EUR 491 thousand. The Institute has an office at 56 “Solunska” Street with 35 computerized work-places and 2 rooms for business meetings. 7 II. Costs In 2015, the total amount of the costs, including corporate tax costs, came up to EUR 4 280 thousand as compared to EUR 7 917 thousand in 2014. The programme costs came up to EUR 3 320 thousand as compared to EUR 6 767 thousand in 2014, EUR 1 796 thousand in 2013, respectively EUR 1 325 thousand in 2012 and EUR 2 729 thousand in 2011. Amount of the programme costs during the period 2011-2015 by programme areas, in thousand EUR 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Programme area In thousand EUR Share Costs in thousand EUR NGO Programme 2 883 86.8% 6 200 998 32 Emergency Fund 26 0.8% 10 33 79 658 Governance and Public Policies 171 5.2% 268 369 296 608 European Policies 53 1.6% 62 39 152 377 Legal Programme 38 1.1% 39 53 61 185 Public Debate 44 1.3% 31 46 45 96 Roma 102 3.1% 155 253 398 458 Education and Youth Programmes 3 0.1% 2 5 8 64 Public Heath 16 23 East-East 118 135 Others 120 125 Total 3 320 100% 6 767 1 796 1 325 2 729 8 Distribution of the programme costs under the NGO Programme during the period 2013- 2015 by thematic priorities,
Recommended publications
  • 1 EDUCATION REFORM in BULGARIA a Study in Failure

    1 EDUCATION REFORM in BULGARIA a Study in Failure

    1 EDUCATION REFORM IN BULGARIA A study in failure Evgenii Dainov Introduction Recent experience, as well as the increasingly voluminous literature on “delayed” reform, tell researchers and reformers something relatively simple, yet disturbing. Many countries have started or will be starting reforms; quite a number of these countries have failed, are failing or will fail in this attempt. Some will fail roundly. Others will fail partially and will move along with a heavy limp, never certain when system failure may occur. Usually, the literature deals with issues of economic reform1 and finds the culprit in politics. This makes research applicable to other fields, where politics is paramount and particularly, “second generation” reforms, such as education, which require restructuring of institutions – who, of course, resist it. Even partial failures here have significant consequences. The awareness that something was terribly wrong with Bulgarian education came only after 2000, after a decade of self-congratulatory myths and in the face of consequences, which could not be easily explained away. First, a mismatch between skills attained and skills needed became obvious. Employer organisations complained that they were increasingly unable to find Bulgarian nationals to fill mid- level managerial positions, and were forced to import staff from abroad at significant cost. A representative study, carried out by Alpha Research, a major polling agency, in 2004 revealed that only 38 per cent of employers in Bulgaria thought that the education system provided the young with the skills they were looking for. 2 Second, preformance levels dropped. A series of international studies revealed, by 2003 that, while Bulgarians performed well at the level of primary education (1-4th grade), after that figures were little short of disastrous.
  • CULTURAL HERITAGE in MIGRATION Published Within the Project Cultural Heritage in Migration

    CULTURAL HERITAGE in MIGRATION Published Within the Project Cultural Heritage in Migration

    CULTURAL HERITAGE IN MIGRATION Published within the project Cultural Heritage in Migration. Models of Consolidation and Institutionalization of the Bulgarian Communities Abroad funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund © Nikolai Vukov, Lina Gergova, Tanya Matanova, Yana Gergova, editors, 2017 © Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Studies with Ethnographic Museum – BAS, 2017 © Paradigma Publishing House, 2017 ISBN 978-954-326-332-5 BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES INSTITUTE OF ETHNOLOGY AND FOLKLORE STUDIES WITH ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM CULTURAL HERITAGE IN MIGRATION Edited by Nikolai Vukov, Lina Gergova Tanya Matanova, Yana Gergova Paradigma Sofia • 2017 CONTENTS EDITORIAL............................................................................................................................9 PART I: CULTURAL HERITAGE AS A PROCESS DISPLACEMENT – REPLACEMENT. REAL AND INTERNALIZED GEOGRAPHY IN THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MIGRATION............................................21 Slobodan Dan Paich THE RUSSIAN-LIPOVANS IN ITALY: PRESERVING CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE IN MIGRATION.............................................................41 Nina Vlaskina CLASS AND RELIGION IN THE SHAPING OF TRADITION AMONG THE ISTANBUL-BASED ORTHODOX BULGARIANS...............................55 Magdalena Elchinova REPRESENTATIONS OF ‘COMPATRIOTISM’. THE SLOVAK DIASPORA POLITICS AS A TOOL FOR BUILDING AND CULTIVATING DIASPORA.............72 Natália Blahová FOLKLORE AS HERITAGE: THE EXPERIENCE OF BULGARIANS IN HUNGARY.......................................................................................................................88
  • Literacy in Bulgaria

    Literacy in Bulgaria

    LITERACY IN BULGARIA COUNTRY REPORT SHORT VERSION March 2016 This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views of its authors only, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained herein. This document has been published by the European Literacy Policy Network (ELINET). The report was completed in 2016. The contents of this publication may be reproduced in part, except for commercial purposes, provided the extract is preceded by a reference to “Elinet”, followed by the date of publication of the document. Main authors (in alphabetical order): Lydia Dachkova, Natalia Georgieva, Marieta Tzvetkova Contributing authors (in alphabetical order): Christine Garbe, Dominique Lafontaine, David Mallows, Gerry Shiel, Renate Valtin Coordinator of the ELINET-Project: University of Cologne Prof. Dr. Christine Garbe Institut für Deutsche Sprache und Literatur Richard-Strauss-Str. 2 50931 Köln – Cologne Germany [email protected] 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 2 General Information on the Bulgarian Education System .................................................................................... 5 3 Literacy Performance Data ..............................................................................................................................................
  • Bulgaria Page 1 of 14

    Bulgaria Page 1 of 14

    2005 Country Report on Human Rights in Bulgaria Page 1 of 14 Facing the Threat Posed by Iranian Regime | Daily Press Briefing | Other News... Bulgaria Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor March 8, 2006 Bulgaria is a parliamentary democracy of approximately 7.7 million persons, and is ruled by a coalition government headed by Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev. Multiparty parliamentary elections in June were deemed generally free and fair despite some reported irregularities. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of law enforcement officers, there were some instances in which law enforcement officers acted independently of government authority. The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in several areas. The following human rights problems were reported: police abuses, including beatings and mistreatment, of criminal suspects, prison inmates, and members of minorities harsh conditions in prisons and detention facilities arbitrary arrest and detention impunity limitations on freedom of the press some restrictions on freedom of religion discrimination against certain religious minorities widespread corruption in executive and judicial branches violence and discrimination against women, children, and minority groups, particularly the Roma trafficking in persons discrimination against persons with disabilities child labor RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life Neither the government nor its agents committed any politically motivated killings; however, there were reports that police killed two persons during the year. On November 10, Anguel Dimitrov died while being arrested in a nationwide operation against organized crime.
  • BULGARIA DISCOVERED GUIDE on the Cover: Lazarka, 46/55 Oils Cardboard, Nencho D

    BULGARIA DISCOVERED GUIDE on the Cover: Lazarka, 46/55 Oils Cardboard, Nencho D

    Education and Culture DG Lifelong Learning Programme BULGARIA DISCOVERED GUIDE On the cover: Lazarka, 46/55 Oils Cardboard, Nencho D. Bakalski Lazarka, this name is given to little girls, participating in the rituals on “Lazarovden” – a celebration dedicated to nature and life’ s rebirth. The name Lazarisa symbol of health and long life. On the last Saturday before Easter all Lazarki go around the village, enter in every house and sing songs to each family member. There is a different song for the lass, the lad, the girl, the child, the host, the shepherd, the ploughman This tradition can be seen only in Bulgaria. Nencho D. BAKALSKI is a Bulgarian artist, born in September 1963 in Stara Zagora. He works in the field of painting, portraits, iconography, designing and vanguard. He is a member of the Bulgarian Union of Artists, the branch of Stara Zagora. Education and Culture DG Lifelong Learning Programme BULGARIA DISCOVERED GUIDE 2010 Human Resource Development Centre 2 Rachenitsa! The sound of bagpipe filled the air. The crowd stood still in expectation. Posing for a while against each other, the dancers jumped simultaneously. Dabaka moved with dexterity to Christina. She gently ran on her toes passing by him. Both looked at each other from head to toe as if wanting to show their superiority and continued their dance. Christina waved her white hand- kerchief, swayed her white neck like a swan and gently floated in the vortex of sound, created by the merry bagpipe. Her face turned hot… Dabaka was in complete trance. With hands freely crossed on his back he moved like a deer performing wondrous jumps in front of her … Then, shaking his head to let the heavy sweat drops fall from his face, he made a movement as if retreating.
  • 2018 Bulgaria

    2018 Bulgaria

    MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS’ RECOMMENDATION CM/REC (2010)5 ON MEASURES TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY REPORT ON THE REPUBLIC BULGARIA WRITTEN BY: DENITSA LYUBENOVA - ATTORNEY-AT-LAW DENIZA GEORGIEVA Report on the Republic of Bulgaria Background Information 1 Executive Summary 2 RECOMMENDATIONS 5 Purpose of the Report 10 Political System and Demographics 11 Methodology 11 1. Right to life, security and protection from violence 15 “Hate crimes” and other hate-motivated incidents 15 Hate speech 19 2. Freedom of association 19 3. Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly 20 4. Right to respect for private and family life 21 Right to respect for private and family life of same-sex families 21 Right to respect for private and family life of trans and intersex people 28 5. Employment 29 6. Education 31 7. Health 34 8. Housing 38 9. Sports 39 10. Right to seek asylum 40 11. National Human Rights Structures 42 12. Discrimination on multiple grounds 43 Report on the Republic of Bulgaria Background Information In 2010 the Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe adopted the Recommendation on measures to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity1, recognizing that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons have been for centuries exposed and are still subjected to homophobia, transphobia and other forms of discrimination and social exclusion. This significant document aims to recall that human rights are universal and should guarantee the equal dignity of all human beings and the enjoyment of rights and freedoms of all individuals without discrimination on any ground, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
  • Abstract Book

    Abstract Book

    Macedonian Ecological Society th 5 CONGRESS OF ECOLOGISTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION ABSTRACT BOOK Ohrid, Macedonia 19th - 22nd October 2016 Издавач:Македонско еколошко друштво Publisher: Macedonian Ecological Society Институт за биологија Institute of Biology Природно-математички факултет - Скопје Faculty of Natural Sciences П. фах 162, 1000 Скопје P.O. Box 162, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia Цитирање: Citation: Книга на апстракти, V Конгрес на еколозите на Abstract book, V Congress of Ecologists of the Македонија со меѓународно учество. Охрид, Republic of Macedonia with International Participa- 19-22.10.2016. Македонско еколошко друштво, tion. Ohrid, 19-22.10.2016. Macedonian Ecological Скопје, 2016 Society, Skopje, 2016 CIP - Каталогизација во публикација Национална и универзитетска библиотека “Св. Климент Охридски”, Скопје 502/504(062)(048.3) CONGRESS of ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia with international participation (5 ; 2016 ; Ohrid) Abstract book / 5th Congress of ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia with interna- tional participation, Ohrid, Macedonia 19th - 22nd October 2016 = Книга на апстракти / [V Конгрес на еколозите на Македонија со меѓународно учество. Охрид, 19.-22.10.2016 ]. - Скопје : Македонско еколошко друштво = Skopje : Macedonian Ecological Society, 2016. - 213 стр. ; 25 см Текст напоредно на мак. и англ. јазик ISBN 978-9989-648-36-6 I. Конгрес на еколозите на Македонија со меѓународно учество (5 ; 2016 ; Охрид) види Con- gress of ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia with
  • Education and Training MONITOR 2018 Bulgaria

    Education and Training MONITOR 2018 Bulgaria

    Education and Training MONITOR 2018 Bulgaria Education and Training Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers to your questions about the European Union. Freephone number (*): 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 (*) The information given is free, as are most calls (though some operators, phone boxes or hotels may charge you). More information on the European Union is available on the internet (http://europa.eu). Cataloguing data can be found at the end of this publication. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2018 © European Union, 2018 Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). For any use or reproduction of photos or other material that is not under the EU copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holders. EN BOOK ISBN 978-92-79-89773-3 ISSN 2466-9989 doi: 10.2766/808122 NC-AN-18-003-EN-C EN PDF ISBN 978-92-79-89776-4 ISSN 2466-9997 doi: 10.2766/952908 NC-AN-18-003-EN-N EUROPEAN COMMISSION Education and Training Monitor 2018 Bulgaria 2018 Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture EN Volume 2 of the Education and Training Monitor 2018 includes twenty-eight individual country reports. It builds on the most up-to-date quantitative and qualitative evidence to present and assess the main recent and ongoing policy measures in each EU Member State, with a focus on developments since mid-2017. It therefore complements other sources of information which offer descriptions of national education and training systems.
  • Freedom in the World Report 2020

    Freedom in the World Report 2020

    Bulgaria | Freedom House Page 1 of 17 BulgariaFREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020 80 FREE /100 Political Rights 34 Civil Liberties 46 80 Free Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. See the methodology. TOP Overview https://freedomhouse.org/country/bulgaria/freedom-world/2020 7/24/2020 Bulgaria | Freedom House Page 2 of 17 Bulgaria’s democratic system holds competitive elections and has seen several transfers of power in recent decades. The country continues to struggle with political corruption and organized crime. The media sector is less pluralistic, as ownership concentration has considerably increased in the last 10 years. Journalists encounter threats and even violence in the course of their work and are sometimes fired for not following the editorial line. Ethnic minorities, particularly Roma, face discrimination. Despite funding shortages and other obstacles, civil society groups have been active and influential. Key Developments in 2019 • In December, the parliament reinstituted the state subsidies for political parties, which had controversially been cut in July. The July amendment to the Political Parties Act also lifted the ceiling on donations for political parties by private persons, businesses, and other organizations. • In September, the director general of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) removed a prominent journalist from a live-broadcast and suspended BNR programming for an unprecedented five hours. Civil society’s strong reaction prompted the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the events. BNR’s director was ousted in October. • In September, an outcry from right-wing political groups claimed the judiciary’s independence was threatened, after an Australian national, convicted of killing a law student in 2007, was granted parole.
  • Bulgaria SIGI 2019 Category Low SIGI Value 2019 23%

    Bulgaria SIGI 2019 Category Low SIGI Value 2019 23%

    Country Bulgaria SIGI 2019 Category Low SIGI Value 2019 23% Discrimination in the family 27% Legal framework on child marriage 50% Percentage of girls under 18 married 1% Legal framework on household responsibilities 50% Proportion of the population declaring that children will suffer if mothers are working outside home for a pay 56% Female to male ratio of time spent on unpaid care work 2.0 Legal framework on inheritance 0% Legal framework on divorce 25% Restricted physical integrity 16% Legal framework on violence against women 75% Proportion of the female population justifying domestic violence 18% Prevalence of domestic violence against women (lifetime) 23% Sex ratio at birth (natural =105) 105.8 Legal framework on reproductive rights 0% Female population with unmet needs for family planning 14% Restricted access to productive and financial resources 30% Legal framework on working rights 100% Proportion of the population declaring this is not acceptable for a woman in their family to work outside home for a pay 6% Share of managers (male) 61% Legal framework on access to non-land assets 25% Share of house owners (male) - Legal framework on access to land assets 25% Share of agricultural land holders (male) 77% Legal framework on access to financial services 25% Share of account holders (male) 48% Restricted civil liberties 20% Legal framework on civil rights 0% Legal framework on freedom of movement 0% Percentage of women in the total number of persons not feeling safe walking alone at night 64% Legal framework on political participation 50% Share of the population that believes men are better political leaders than women 44% Percentage of male MP’s 76% Legal framework on access to justice 0% Share of women declaring lack of confidence in the justice system 56% Note: Higher values indicate higher inequality.
  • The Muslim-Turkish Minority in Bulgaria

    The Muslim-Turkish Minority in Bulgaria

    BULGARIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL HELSINKI FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS The Human Rights of Muslims in Bulgaria in Law and Politics since 1878 Sofia November 2003 Contents: Brief Introductory Chapter: 1. Demographic data 2. Origins of the Bulgarian Muslims 2.1. Turks 2.2. Bulgarian-speaking Muslims (Pomaks) 2.3. Roma Muslims Chapter I: The Muslim community in post-Ottoman Bulgaria (1878 - 1944) 1.1. Religious rights 1.2. Immigration and assimilation problems 1.3. Muslim minority education 1.4. Muslim (Turkish) minority press 1.5. The impact of Kemalism on the rights of the Muslims in Bulgaria Chapter II: The Muslim community during the Communist era (1944 - 1989) and the first years of democracy in Bulgaria 2.1. The politics towards Muslims in the period 1944-1956 2.1.1. Legal basis of Muslims’ religious freedoms 2.1.2. Development of Muslim minority education 2.1.3. Immigration inclinations among Muslims and their consequences 2.2. The treatment of Muslims between 1956 and 1984 2.2.1. Limiting the religious freedoms and launching a policy of forced assimilation of Muslims 2.2.2. Renewed immigration waves 2.2.3. New forced assimilation of Pomak Muslims 2.2.4. Preparing the soil for the assimilation of the Turks and the Roma Muslims 2.3. The situation of the Bulgarian Muslims during the last years of the Communist regime (1984-1989) 2.3.1. The “Revival Process” in its apogee 2.3.2. The international reaction to the “Revival Process” 2.3.3. The “Big Excursion” phenomenon Chapter III: Protection of Muslims’ basic rights and freedoms in present day Bulgaria 3.1.
  • WRITTEN COMMENTS of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

    WRITTEN COMMENTS of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

    WRITTEN COMMENTS Of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Concerning Bulgaria for Consideration by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination at its 92nd Session March 2017 The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) is an independent non-governmental organisation for the protection of human rights - political, civil, economic, social and cultural. It was established on 14 July 1992. The goal of the BHC is to promote respect and protection for the human rights of every individual, to advocate for legislative change to bring Bulgarian legislation in line with international standards, to encourage public debate on human rights issues, and to popularise and make widely known human rights instruments. The BHC is engaged in human rights monitoring, strategic litigation, advocacy, and human rights education. In its work, the BHC places special emphasis on discrimination, rights of ethnic and religious minorities, rights of the child, mental disability rights, conditions in places of detention, refugee and migrants rights, freedom of expression, access to information, problems of the criminal justice system. More information about the organisation and its publications are available online at http://www.bghelsinki.org. Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION 2 II. VIOLATIONS OF THE CONVENTION PROVISIONS, OMISSIONS AND MISREPRESENTATIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT REPORT 2 Article 2 2 1. Involvement of racist and xenophobic political parties in the government and exclusion of minorities 2 2. Acts and patterns of institutional racism in the framework of the criminal justice system and in migration 4 Article 4 7 1. Developments in 2013 8 2. Developments in 2014 11 3. Developments in 2015 13 4.