36th Universal Periodic Review: UK statement on Bulgaria

World news story

The UK delivers statement on Bulgaria at the 36th Session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 6 November, sharing recommendations to improve their human rights record.

The Universal Periodic Review takes place in Geneva.

Thank you, Madam President,

The United Kingdom thanks Bulgaria for its engagement in the UPR process and we recognise the progress made since the last review. We welcome the ongoing efforts of the Bulgarian Government to address overcrowding of prisons and recognise the steps taken to better address gender-based violence under criminal law.

However the UK is concerned to see that changes to the scope of sexual assault offences, to bring the definition in accordance with international standards, have not yet been made.

We recommend Bulgaria:

  1. Improve the support available to victims of Modern Slavery, facilitating their reintegration into society through provision of appropriate health care, legal and financial support, and paying particular attention to support for child victims, including children in care institutions, Roma children and unaccompanied foreign minors.

  2. Adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections.

  3. Amend the Criminal Code to widen the scope of the definition of hate crimes and speech, to include sexual orientation.

Thank you, Madam President.

Published 6 November 2020