Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

US State Department defines Bulgaria as country with high corruption and endangered human rights

Photo: Wikipedia

In its annual report on human rights for 2021, the US Department of State reports that Bulgaria has significant human rights problems. The report also highlights serious problems with judicial independence, corruption, intolerance and restrictions on free expression, including threats of violence against journalists and corporate and political pressure on the media. 

The part of the report concerning Bulgaria was published by the US Embassy in Sofia. The document expresses concern about the "lack of judicial control against a prosecutor's decision not to initiate an investigation" and the influence of the prosecution on the Supreme Judicial Council and magistrates. 

The US State Department does not omit the data on illegal wiretapping and surveillance in Bulgaria, referring to the conclusion of the special commission in the National Assembly for over 900 people, including politicians, magistrates and journalists, monitored during the anti-government protests in 2020 . The investigation into police violence against protesters pulled by police under the columns of the Council of Ministers was also mentioned.

The document also cites a statement from May last year of former BNR director general Andon Baltakov that the law favours political interference in media management through controlled funding, as an example of how independent media have been pressured at all levels.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Rumen Radev and Desislava Radeva in Vietnam

Bulgaria's President will meet with the state and political leadership of Vietnam

Bulgaria's   President Rumen Radev, who together with his wife Desislava Radeva is on an official visit to Vietnam, will be welcomed with a ceremony at the presidential palace in Hanoi. There, Radev will hold talks with Vietnamese Head of State Luong..

published on 11/25/24 6:05 AM

Demonstrations against violence against women to be held in many Bulgarian cities

A protest march under the slogan "No more", organised by Feminist Mobilisations, will be held on today's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in front of the capital's Courthouse. The aim is to draw public and..

published on 11/25/24 5:35 AM

Sunshine, rising daytime temperatures expected on Monday

On Monday the weather will be mostly sunny, in the afternoon there will be scattered high clouds. Almost quiet weather is expected. Minimum temperatures will be mainly between minus 3°C and 2°C, slightly lower in the valleys of western Bulgaria, in..

published on 11/24/24 6:15 PM