Bulgaria ― Human Rights Committee ― Women's Human Rights ― July 2011
The Advocates for Human Rights has worked in Bulgaria since 1994 in partnership with the Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation to:
We applaud the passage of the 2005 law, its 2009 amendment, and the subsequent efforts towards effective implementation, as well as the Bulgarian government’s national programs for prevention and protection against domestic violence, financial support for shelters, and specialized services for victims. Despite the many positive steps the Bulgarian government has taken, further changes need to be made in order to effectively implement the Law and provide for better protection of women. Bulgaria should reform the law to promote accountability for domestic violence perpetrators, continue trainings of the legal sector and public awareness campaigns, ensure adequate funding and implement the necessary programs in order to create zero tolerance toward domestic violence. The Advocates made the following recommendations:
1. Amendments to Domestic Legislation
2. Justice and Legal Sectors
3. Funding
4. Public Education and Prevention