Thomas Hammarberg: Bulgaria Must Respect Minority Rights

In a letter published today to the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg expresses his concern at the treatment of the county’s minority groups.


Commissioner Hammarberg highlights the need for the Bulgarian authorities to improve the living conditions of Roma.

He also calls for a guarantee of the right to freedom of religion for all minorities, following the Supreme Court of Cassation’s decision last May to remove the Chief Mufti.

In reply, Prime Minister Borisov declares that “the Bulgarian authorities are fully committed to the goal of equal integration of the Roma into society.”

He also said the Chief Mufti had “been ‘elected’ on the basis of a falsified statute” but adds that talks leading to “the holding of a legitimate unification conference” are ongoing.

Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg's letter

Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov's reply