The issue of national identity is taken seriously by Balkan people – including the least serious among them.
Bulgaria Criticized over Minority Rights
Bulgaria, minority rights, Council of Europe | 09 February 2010 |Bulgaria is failing to fully uphold minority and children’s rights, according to a new report released today.
The findings are from Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, who visited Bulgaria in November 2009.
“More efforts are needed to better protect minorities and children and to ensure that their needs are embedded in the decision making process,” he said. “Protection of minorities against discrimination, racism and intolerance should be enhanced. Adequate measures should be taken to prevent and punish cases of police misconduct.“
Hammarberg suggests Bulgaria consider an amendment to its constitution “in order to better safeguard minorities’ freedom of association and assembly and to fully align practice with the Council of Europe standards.”
He calls for improved conditions and treatment with respect to the country’s Roma population.
“Evicted Roma should be offered decent alternative solutions,” Hammarberg said. “More generally, access to adequate housing, education and social rights remain problematic and all too often they are victims of racially motivated discrimination and violence. The authorities should urgently reverse this situation.”
Hammarberg also would like to see Bulgaria start a program to deinstitutionalize children with intellectual disabilities.
