Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

US State Department defines Bulgaria as country with high corruption and endangered human rights

Photo: Wikipedia

In its annual report on human rights for 2021, the US Department of State reports that Bulgaria has significant human rights problems. The report also highlights serious problems with judicial independence, corruption, intolerance and restrictions on free expression, including threats of violence against journalists and corporate and political pressure on the media. 

The part of the report concerning Bulgaria was published by the US Embassy in Sofia. The document expresses concern about the "lack of judicial control against a prosecutor's decision not to initiate an investigation" and the influence of the prosecution on the Supreme Judicial Council and magistrates. 

The US State Department does not omit the data on illegal wiretapping and surveillance in Bulgaria, referring to the conclusion of the special commission in the National Assembly for over 900 people, including politicians, magistrates and journalists, monitored during the anti-government protests in 2020 . The investigation into police violence against protesters pulled by police under the columns of the Council of Ministers was also mentioned.

The document also cites a statement from May last year of former BNR director general Andon Baltakov that the law favours political interference in media management through controlled funding, as an example of how independent media have been pressured at all levels.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Saturday will be sunny, with temperatures of up to 20 degrees

Saturday will be mostly sunny. There will be significant cloud cover before noon in eastern Bulgaria, where it will continue to rain in some places. It will be windy, with moderate to strong westerly winds. Maximum temperatures will range from 15 to..

published on 5/16/25 7:05 PM

The fixed electricity price for households remains... for now

The liberalisation of electricity prices for households has been postponed indefinitely. Even after 1 July, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) will continue to set the price, as MPs approved amendments to the Energy Act in the second..

published on 5/16/25 4:22 PM
Kostadin Kostadinov

The nationalist party 'Vazrazhdane' is organising an event in Sofia to 'save the Bulgarian lev'

The nationalist party is holding an event at the National Palace of Culture (NDK) in Sofia today at 6:30 pm, which is being promoted as a discussion on 'saving the lev' (the Bulgarian currency - ed.)   Among the participants will be the party’s MEP..

published on 5/16/25 4:16 PM