Bulgarian Commission for Protection Against Discrimination

Date established:

13.04.2005

Mode of establishment:

Article 41(1) of the Protection Against Discrimination Act (primary legislation)

On 13.04.2005 the National Assembly approved five of the proposed nine-member Commission, including the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. The other four members were appointed on 16.05.2005 under Article 41(1) of the Protection Against Discrimination Act and by Decrees of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Structure and Activity Regulations of the Commission were promulgated in the State Gazette issue 57 dd. 12.07.2005 on 12.07.2005. Under Article 7(6) of the Structure and Activity Regulations of the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination, Rules for Proceedings before the Commission need to be adopted. These were adopted at a session of the Commission held on 11.10.2005, after which work on complaints commenced.

Status:

Independent specialised state authority (Protection Against Discrimination Act) [please specify the Article and provide link to online document if available]

Mandate/objectives:

[as stated in law / statute etc. – please also include where mandate is written]

Grounds of Discrimination covered:

Art. 4. (1) of the Protection Against Discrimination Act covers the following grounds of discrimination: sex; race; nationality; ethnic belonging; human genome; citizenship; origin, religion or belief; education; convictions; political affiliation; personal or public status; disability; age; sexual orientation; family status; property status; any other characteristics established by a law or by an international agreement to which the Republic of Bulgaria is party.

Competences and responsibilities:

[list of powers and competences]

Main activities:

There are 6 permanent specialised sub-committees (established under Art. 48 Para. 2 Protection Against Discrimination Act by an order of the Chairman of the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination for the consideration of complaints and signals pertaining to the following kinds of discrimination:

- On ethnic and racial grounds

- On the grounds of sex, human genome and union activities?

- On the grounds of nationality, citizenship, origin, religion and faith

- On the grounds of education, conviction, political affiliation, personal and social status

- On the grounds of disability, age and sexual orientation

- On the grounds of family and property status

In addition, two larger sub-committees of five members were formed to deal with complaints received on multiple discrimination grounds.

As of 20 February 2006, the complaints received by the Commission were a total of 83:

- On ethnic grounds - 28

- On the grounds of social status and education - 17

- On the grounds of religion and conviction - 11

- On the grounds of union activities - 10

- On the grounds of disability - 9

- On the grounds of sexual orientation - 2

- On the grounds of family status - 6

In 48 of the cases the Commission has opened preliminary investigations into the complaints. In 5 cases preliminary investigations have been completed and they have been referred to an assessment panel that will consider the cases in the presence of the Parties in the near future.

In its activities so far the Commission has been in close connection with Bulgarian and international NGOs. A lot of the complaints were received through NGOs. A public-expert board will be formed with the Commission with the participation of experts and representatives of NGOs, working in the sphere of anti-discrimination. A national working meeting with NGOs from Bulgaria will be held on 25.01.2006.

Publications:

Website under construction

Management:

The activities of the Commission are implemented with the help of the administration: a Chief Secretary, a General administration (includes two Directorates: Financial - economic activities and ownership management; and Administrative - legal and information servicing and documents registration system) and a Specialised administration.

Nomination of senior staff and board:

The National Assembly approved five of the nine Commission members, including the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman. The other four members were appointed under Article 41(1) of the Protection Against Discrimination Act and by Decrees of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

List of the Members of the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination:

- Kemal Eyup Adil – Chairman

- Lalo Patsev Kamenov – Deputy Chairman

- Harry Alexiev Alexiev

- Anely Gincheva Chobanova

- Zora Georgieva Gencheva

- Essen Fikri Mustafa

- Blagoy Nikitov Vidin

- Irina Nikolova Muleshkova

- Rositsa Georgieva Georgieva

Number of Staff:

42 persons

Budget:

Approved budget within the framework 1.8 million BGN (approx. 923,000 euros)

Accountability:

[e.g. requirement of reporting to Parliament annually]

Address:

1125 Sofia

35, Dragan Tsankov Blvd.

Tel./fax: + 359 2/870 84 48

Additional Tel.: + 359 2 870 20 02 / 870 64 46

E-mail: ksd@spnet.net