National frameworks to address hate crime in Bulgaria

 This page provides information on the national frameworks to address hate crime in Bulgaria. The information provided here should be viewed alongside data presented on Bulgaria's hate crime report page. https://hatecrime.osce.org/bulgaria

---

Hate crime recording and data collection

There is no system in place for recording hate crimes, which are registered as any other criminal offence. Methodological guidelines issued by the Ministry of Interior govern the process of crime registration, data collection and the compilation of police statistics. 

The recording officer can describe any motive for the crime in a specific field of the crime report. The same field is also used to provide preliminary legal qualification by referring to the relevant provisions of the criminal code, including subsections. This is relevant because some offences in the criminal code include aggravation by bias in the subsections of the main provision. If, in the course of pre-trial proceedings, it is revealed that a crime involves a discriminatory motive, the responsible investigating police officer in the Ministry of Interior reports such findings to the supervising prosecutor, who may re-assess the legal qualification, on the basis of which new statistical data are filled in.  

Entered data are stored in a set of electronic registries: the Integrated Regional Police System (IRS); the Automated Information System (AIS) Central Police Register; the AIS Central Police Statistics and the automated systems for filing activities. These systems are organized according to the relevant articles of the criminal code. 

The official website of the Ministry of Interior publishes statistical information about registered crimes. 

---

Hate crime victim support

There is no specialized support system for hate crime victims in Bulgaria. Hate crime victims are entitled to support provided as part of the general victim support scheme. 

Support for crime victims is provided by both state and private actors, including civil society organizations (CSOs). However, information about victim support providers is not publicly available. State actors provide medical care, while CSOs offer psychological consultations, free legal aid and practical assistance. 

The State co-operates with CSOs on providing support to crime victims. The National Council for Aiding and Compensating Victims of Crime operates under the Ministry of Justice; a CSO, the Bulgarian Association of the Organizations for Support of the Victims of Crimes, is a member of the Council. 

There is no procedure for conducting individual needs assessments for hate crime victims. All crime victims receive printed information about the existence of the Aiding and Financial Compensation to Victims of Crimes Act and the possibility to receive compensation. 

All victims of crime have a right to the following: to be informed of their rights in criminal proceedings; to receive protection for their safety and that of their relatives; to be informed of the progress of criminal proceedings; to participate in proceedings; to make requests, notes and objections during proceedings; to appeal against acts that lead to the termination or suspension of criminal proceedings; to be represented by a lawyer; and to receive a written translation of the act of termination or suspension of criminal proceedings. 

Victims who suffer property or non-pecuniary damage from a crime prosecuted ex officio are entitled to participate in court proceedings as a private prosecutor. The victim of a crime prosecuted by the plea of a victim may file and prosecute as a private complainant. 

 

From Solidarity to Success: Sofia’s Integrated Approach to Migrant Services

 
June 26, 2023
https://www.acctforchange.eu/from-solidarity-to-success-sofias-integrated-approach-to-migrant-services/

Curious about a model for a one-stop locale for migrant services?
In Sofia, Bulgaria we witnessed just that while meeting with the Sofia Development Association. They are doing fantastic work by uniting with other civil society organizations to enhance their respective work to assist newcomers to Bulgaria at the Bureau for Information and Services for Third Country Nationals.  Bureau for Information and Services for Third Country Nationals.    
Read on to find out more!

    Street art at the Sofia city center

    Our consortium meets with the Sofia Development Association



..

    Finalizing our anti racism poster campaign design

    Having an Afghani lunch at Khala Sara Foodz located in the historical Women's Market

We were made aware of this work the end of May, when the consortium of ACCT partners traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria and for our Transnational Partner Meeting and were warmly welcomed by Tania Marincheshka from Association on Refugees and Migrants Bulgaria. During our 2nd in-person gathering, we had the opportunity to review the proposed activities from each partner to be used in both our in-person and online trainings, finalize the plan for our poster competition, and launch our website. We also had the chance to explore the vibrant local culinary scene in Sofia, enjoying delicious meals at an Afghan and Iraqi restaurants — if you get to visit Bulgaria, check out Khala Sara Foodz & Ashurbanipal! 
One of the highlights of our meeting was the discussion with Sevdalina Voynova and her staff from the Sofia Development Association, where we learned about the Bureau for Information and Services for Third Country Nationals. This center plays a crucial role in providing a wide array of help they were providing to migrants, including assistance with accessing the labor market, interpretation, document filling, referral to institutions, and more in 7 languages! We were impressed by the comprehensive range of services provided by the Bureau, which demonstrates this group of 15 NGO’s and the municipality’s commitment to supporting and including third country nationals into society. In 2021 alone, they were able to provide services to approximately 100 newcomers per month in one localized center – allowing folks in need of assistance to locate one spot to navigate the needs that come with moving to a new country; an exemplary model indeed. This is made possible by the project titled CONNECTION: CONNEcting Cities Towards Integration actiON CONNECTION: CONNEcting Cities Towards Integration actiON which is funded by European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. 

The insights gained from our meeting with the Sofia Development Association our discussions on the Bureau for Information and Services for Third Country Nationals, and the discussion and experiences being immersed in this local context, will undoubtedly contribute to the development of our anti-racism curriculums and training programs. As this project was recently recognized as an example of a ‘good practice’ by the EU, we are excited to incorporate these learnings and their examples into our work and continue fostering civic courage and combating racism throughout the EU.