Indicator history

In September 2009, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee published a report ‘Discrimination and Protection against Discrimination in the Attitude of the Majority and among the Vulnerable Groups in Bulgaria’.  The report studies, through focus group discussions, the discriminatory attitude of the majority towards vulnerable groups and the experience of the representatives of six vulnerable groups (Roma, Bulgarian Muslims, refugees, disabled, homosexual, and women protection organisations). The Roma respondents reported that Roma pupils who go to school with Bulgarian children are often verbally harassed because of their ethnic background which finally results in the leaving of the school. They complain that school principals do not do enough to defend the Roma in such situations. School children admit that when discriminated against they talk to their parents and when expressing their will to file a complaint their parents discourage them by saying that complaining is pointless.