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

Bulgaria calls for the construction of a bridge over the Danube at Silistra–Călărași

''Only two bridges connect Bulgaria and Romania along our 475-kilometer shared river border – this is a transport shortfall and a new 'Iron Curtain' within the European Union'', said Bulgaria’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport and..

published on 10/17/25 9:05 AM

Cloudy weather, rainfall expected in Bulgaria on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 11°C, in Sofia – 7°C.  During the day, it will be cloudy over most of the country. In the afternoon, rain will begin in Western Bulgaria, in the mountains above 2,000 meters - snow, and..

published on 10/16/25 7:25 PM

South Africa introduces visa-free regime for Bulgarians for stays of up to 90 days

The government of South Africa is introducing a visa-free regime for Bulgarian citizens holding ordinary passports for stays of up to 90 days , the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria announced on its Facebook page. “We express our gratitude to the..

published on 10/16/25 4:16 PM