Bulgaria

Bulgaria regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Bulgaria implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crime for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme from 2012 until 2017. Bulgaria also took part in ODIHR's project on "Building a Comprehensive Criminal Justice Response to Hate Crime", helping to develop a joint training programme for police and prosecutors that was piloted in the country. Bulgaria has also made efforts to improve hate crime identification, recording and data collection systems through ODIHR's Information Against Hate Crimes Toolkit (INFAHCT) programme. ODIHR completed a review of Bulgaria's hate crime legislation in 2018.   

Hate crime data collection in Bulgaria
Support for hate crime victims in Bulgaria
Hate crime capacity building in Bulgaria

OFFICIAL DATA

Year Hate crimes recorded by police Prosecuted Sentenced
2022 Not available Not available Not available
2021 18 384 303
2020 727 353 289
2019 22 432 155
2018 46 6 158
2017 22 9 9
2016 28 299 71
2015 704 752 135
2014 617 750 117
2013 651 300 239
2012 Not available Not available Not available
2011 29 41 10
2010 20 34 4
2009 20 22 9

About 2009 Data

    Figures include crimes of incitement to hatred and crimes of discrimination.

Hate crime recorded by police

National developments

Provisions in the penal code were amended and supplemented in 2009. The amendments increased potential sentences in specific provisions for crimes involving violence and property damage committed on the grounds of “nationality, race, religion or political conviction”.

As part of the government’s efforts to strengthen data collection and the response of law-enforcement bodies and prosecutors to hate crimes, the Independent Commission for Protection against Discrimination started compiling information relating to new and completed criminal proceedings related to such crimes.

KEY OBSERVATION

No information is available.

INCIDENTS REPORTED BY OTHER SOURCES

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Anti-Semitic hate crime

The Organization of Jews in Bulgaria “Shalom” reported an arson attempt on a synagogue and the vandalization of a Holocaust memorial. The Stephen Roth Institute reported three violent incidents.

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Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Office of the Grand Mufti reported six incidents, including an assault and the vandalization of five mosques.

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INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Anti-Semitic hate crime, Anti-Muslim hate crime

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) raised concerns over anti-Semitism and intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in Bulgaria.