Freedom of association
European Civic Forum Report: Civic space in Bulgaria rated as narrowed
At the end of May 2024, the Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (BCNL) published an overview of the findings in the European Civic Forum's report on the state of civic space in several EU member states, which BCNL contributed to. The report highlights negative trends observed in several European countries.
Regarding Bulgaria, the experts raised concerns about the promotion of a law, modelled on Russia’s infamous “foreign agent” law, being pushed onto the public agenda by far-right groups. The report, as cited by BCNL, also criticises increasing restrictions on freedom of assembly, particularly targeting supporters of the LGBT community and protesters opposing military operations in Gaza. According to information obtained by BCNL, between October and November 2023, Sofia Municipality issued at least five bans on peaceful demonstrations organised by Palestinian groups, in violation of domestic law and international standards. The bans were justified by claims of potential hate speech, the risk of provoking public dissent, and scheduling conflicts with other events. This represents a sharp rise compared to just four bans issued between January 2020 and April 2023.
The report also draws attention to the limited functionality of the Council for the Development of Civil Society, the public body tasked with supporting the associative sector, noting that it has been largely inactive since 2023.
"Foreign agent law" introduced to parliament
On 10th September 2024, a draft law was introduced in Parliament proposing that individuals or organisations receiving financial or material support from foreign sources could be labelled “foreign agents.” BCNL has deemed the law an attack on civil rights, noting in particular that the term “foreign agent” carries a negative connotation in Bulgaria, and is practically synonymous with “foreign spy” or “traitor,” leading to stigmatisation of civil society, as the bill has been promoted and presented as a measure against foreign-funded non-governmental organisations.
According to an analysis by BCNL, if adopted, the law will affect any person or entity receiving more than BGN 1,000 (around EUR 500) from abroad, if the funds are indirectly or directly connected to activities aimed at influencing public opinion, spreading ideas or promoting “foreign ideologies”. In addition to funding, the “foreign agent” label would also apply to those receiving “material assistance” from foreign sources – such as covering expenses related to participating in seminars, training and educational programmes.
Those deemed “foreign agents” would be named in a public registry, which would include information about their address and any political activities the foreign agent is carrying out or intends to carry out. Such people and organisations would also be obligated to indicate that they are a “foreign agent” on publications, photographs, business cards, brochures, as well as emails and social media posts. The draft law also prohibits “foreign agents” from carrying out any activities in schools, kindergartens, universities, and other institutions. It also restricts their political rights, expressly prohibiting them from carrying out “political activities” – despite also requiring them to declare the political activities they engage in or intend to engage in.
Only religious groups, sports clubs and certain businesses such as insurance companies and financial institutions would be exempt from the law. The restrictive measures also apply to individuals associated with “foreign agents”. According to the draft law, these are the founders and executives of organisations designated as foreign agents, as well as the owners, shareholders, representatives and persons on the governing bodies of companies designated as foreign agents.
The bill was introduced by the far-right ultra-nationalist party Vazrazhdane (Revival). The party had already proposed versions of the bill in 2022 and 2023, but was ultimately unable to push it through parliament. While critics have compared the draft law to repressive laws in Russia and Hungary, party leader Kostadin Kostadinov has continuously insisted that the draft law was a copy of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in the United States and justified its necessity by referring to the EU’s own planned directive on foreign influence.
Freedom of peaceful assembly
Protests to address underfunding of education sector and community concerns
Several protests took place in Bulgaria between April and June 2024, mostly relating to socio-economic and community concerns.
In April and May, citizens in Sofia blocked the intersection of Patriarch Evtimiy Boulevard and Georgi Rakovski Street to protest against the reorganisation of traffic on the boulevard. The main point of contention is the introduction of a cycle lane at the expense of car parking spaces. Critics of the solution claim that the reorganisation of the boulevard was done in a way that violates existing procedures, while others, such as cyclists, welcome the measure. On 10th May, the city council's traffic commission held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the changes. According to the commission members, 250 citizens submitted their comments on the decision to install a bike lane on the boulevard, with 230 in favour and only 20 against.
In June, residents of the village of Obruchishte blocked an important intersection in nearby Galabovo, which is part of the road linking Bulgaria’s borders with Romania and Turkey. The blockade was a protest directed against the failure of the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) to fulfil its promise to start repairing a road between Madrets and Obruchishte in the first quarter of 2024. According to the BTA news agency, the residents of the village have been protesting over this issue for more than seven years. The chair of RIA’s management board spoke to the protesters and promised that construction work would begin within two weeks, which was also confirmed by the governor of Stara Zagora, the province where the village is located. However, the residents set up a tent camp and threatened to block the road indefinitely until they saw the construction work begin.
One of the most effective demonstrations, planned for 20th May, was led by workers in the education sector. In protest against inadequate salaries, the university rectors threatened to close the universities if their demands were not met. In response, the government urgently provided additional funds for the education sector.
Freedom of expression
ECtHR: Bulgaria Violated Journalist's Freedom Of Expression
A Bulgarian journalist who had previously been convicted of defamation in criminal proceedings has won a landmark victory before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). This judgement not only exonerates the journalist, but also holds the Bulgarian state accountable for violating the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
Rosen Bosev was wrongly found guilty of defamation in a case brought by Stoyan Mavrodiev, the former chairman of the Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission (FSC). Mavrodiev had sued Bosev after the journalist claimed in a television interview that Bosev had facilitated the laundering of money acquired through drug trafficking and had used his position at the FSC to exert pressure on media, including the outlet where Bosev was employed at the time. The proceedings were presided over by judge Petya Kruncheva from Sofia City Court, whose professional performance Bosev had previously criticised in his articles. Despite this, Kruncheva rejected requests to withdraw from the proceedings due to potential bias and found the journalist guilty of defamation in May 2019, sentencing him to a fine of around 500 euros.
The ECtHR ruled decisively in Bosev’s favour, citing serious procedural flaws, including concerns about the judge’s bias against the applicant and a general lack of impartiality.
The Spread of Russian Propaganda through 'Mushroom Websites' in Bulgaria
A recent article by Radio Free Europe exposed the rise of so-called “mushroom websites” spreading disinformation in Bulgaria. The name refers to the fact that these websites, which can be created in large numbers and at low cost, “sprout” around major news events and aim to spread false information and influence opinion. According to a report by the civil society organisation Human and Social Studies Foundation – Sofia (HSSF), there are currently an estimated 400 such websites involved in public disinformation. These websites typically avoid original political content and instead focus on social news, lifestyle and sports, relying on a cash-for-clicks model. However, during important events — such as NATO military exercises — they produce biassed articles to influence public opinion.
One month after the initial exposé, Radio Free Europe revisited the topic with new insights. An expert who successfully infiltrated the network of “mushroom websites” shared his first-hand experience, demonstrating how easily public spaces can be infiltrated with propaganda. This account highlights the importance of vigilance against misinformation threats.
Law against LGBTQI+ “propaganda” in schools
On 7th August, a law banning “LGBTQI+ propaganda” in schools was passed by an overwhelming majority in parliament. The new legislation introduced an amendment to the Bulgarian law on pre-school and school education banning the “propaganda, promotion or incitement” of LGBTQ+ “ideas and views” in schools, without providing any further specifics. It came into effect on 15th August, after it was signed by President Rumen Radev. Revival leader Kostadin Kostadinov described the adoption of the law as a “historic breakthrough” and declared that “LGBT propaganda is anti-human and won't be accepted in Bulgaria.”
The broad support for the law among parliamentarians came as a surprise. It was passed with 159 votes in favour, 22 against, and 12 abstentions. Introduced by the far-right Revival party, it was surprisingly supported by pro-EU parties, despite the country’s ongoing political crisis. Bulgaria will hold its seventh elections in three years in October 2024, with the country’s major parties unable to form a majority to support a stable government since spring 2021.
Around 7,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Bulgarian president to veto the amendment after human rights organisations condemned the law. Academics have called for the same in an open letter. Senior figures from the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli asking them to condemn the new law. According to information provided to POLITICO, the European Commission wrote to Bulgaria’s Education Minister, requesting “further information” on the law.
The law’s adoption also sparked protests on 15th August – a larger demonstration, staged by the law's opponents, and a smaller counter-demonstration by Revival party supporters.