MINELRES: Bugaria: Alternative report on the implementation of the FCNM

[Desislava Simeonova]

BHC publishes alternative report on the implementation of the Framework 
Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) published its second report on 
the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of 
National Minorities. The report critically evaluates the report 
submitted by the government of Bulgaria pursuant to article 25, 
paragraph 1 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National 
Minorities. It draws on the extensive research of the BHC on minority 
rights in Bulgaria for a period of more than ten years and on 
information provided by other NGOs and academic institutions. 

The alternative report evaluates the government report objectively but 
in substance underlines its deficiencies thus trying to avoid 
repetition. The alternative report follows the structure of the 
government report and refers to several supplements that should be 
considered an integral part of the alternative report. In September 
1999 the BHC published a report on the fulfilment of the commitments of 
Bulgaria under the Framework Convention. The alternative report is a 
follow up of the 1999 report.General weaknesses of the government 
reportThe report submitted by Bulgaria pursuant to Article 25, 
paragraph 1 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National 
Minorities on April 9, 2003, is marked by a major flaw, which cannot 
but be pointed out, because it reflects on the overall quality of the 
report's content and analysis. The language of the report, which was 
prepared and submitted with about 18-month delay, is comprised of 
general statements in most of its part, i.e. legal provisions are 
enumerated without being supported by prima facie evidence of effective 
implementation; concluded and/or underway projects and policies aimed 
at the cultural, economic, and social advancement of ethnic, 
linguistic, and religious minorities are simply enlisted as well, and 
not propped up by any account of achieved results; the entire "Factual" 
component of the report is weak, because of lack of factual evidence 
such as concrete examples provided, statistics /or any data/ indicating 
achievements in the spheres outlined by the Framework Convention; and, 
last but not least, the report is silent or cursory on numerous 
important issues, which should have been addressed under the separate 
headings of the report.

You can access the report online at: 
http://www.bghelsinki.org/special/en/2003_Shadowrep_FCNM.doc. 

For more information: http://www.bghelsinki.org/press/2004/e01-07b.htm


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