A/HRC/30/10
international protection and constructed new facilities and infrastructure with a capacity of
6,000 people. Progress had also been documented in respect of the registration and the
processing of requests for international protection.
16.
In 2014, the Government had adopted the National Integration Strategy for
Individuals Granted International Protection in Bulgaria (2014–2020), which paid special
attention to vulnerable persons with specific needs and to unaccompanied minors. Children
were provided with legal aid, health care and guaranteed the right to continue their
education. With regard to the appointment of guardians or trustees for unaccompanied
minors, a draft law which would allow the Agency for Social Assistance to appoint a
representative of the child, was forwarded to the consideration of the National Assembly.
17.
Concerning the questions regarding hate crime and speech, and intolerance, the
delegation stated that its legislation provided for a solid legal framework for combating all
cases of hate crime, racism, and xenophobia and the Criminal Code recognized each racial
motivation as an aggravating circumstance in criminal offences. Draft amendments to the
Code, introducing the criminalization of public incitement to violence or hate on religious
grounds were being considered by the National Assembly.
18.
There was a substantial improvement in the interaction between the Prosecutor’s
Office and the investigating authorities in identifying and reporting discriminatory motives
at the earliest possible stage of pretrial proceedings. Although sexual orientation and gender
identity were not explicitly defined as aggravating circumstances in the Criminal Code,
such elements of the crime had been taken into account during the trial and the judgements
of courts. In that respect, training was regularly provided to enhance the qualification of
prosecutors. Public awareness measures were carried out to promote tolerance and to
address hate speech and incitement to racial or ethnic violence in political discourse and in
the media.
19.
The National Roma Integration Strategy (2012–2020) was to be implemented in two
phases: 2012–2014 and 2014–2020. Subsequently, 28 regional strategies and 220 municipal
action plans for the integration of the Roma were adopted by taking into consideration the
needs and specifics of local communities. The Strategy considered education the first
priority of the integration policy. Efforts were increased to strengthen the integration of
children of Roma origin into the general education system. Some measures were also taken
to reduce school dropouts among the Roma children. The Ministry of Education and
Science, in cooperation with the Regional Education Inspectorates and the municipalities,
carried out monitoring of kindergartens and schools to avoid the formation of special
classes for children belonging to ethnic groups.
20.
Regarding the questions on prison conditions and overcrowding, the delegation
stated that two new detention centres had been opened and a project had been implemented
to improve the conditions of detention centres and prisons. The authorities had been
working together with Norway on a joint project to introduce electronic monitoring of
selected categories of offenders in order to reduce the number of prisoners.
21.
With regard to the questions concerning the support of families with children with
disabilities, and the juvenile justice system, the delegation stated that the legislation
provided for equal opportunities and social inclusion of children with disabilities and that
financial support was provided to families raising children with disabilities. Several
measures had been taken to improve the legislation on juvenile justice.
22.
Bulgaria had also been strengthening its measures to ensure non-discrimination and
equal opportunities for people with disabilities, as well as their integration in all areas of
public life.
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