The Universal Protection of Human Rights and Eastern Europe: Bulgaria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47078/2025.1.263-300Keywords:
Bulgarian Constitution of 1991, paradigm shift, UPR’s impact, legislative and institutional reforms, strengthening human rights protectionAbstract
After the collapse of the communist regime and the adoption of the new democratic Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria in 1991, human rights assumed new significance as a foundation for affirming the rule of law. Integration of self-executing international norms into the domestic legal framework marked a substantial paradigm shift in Bulgaria’s approach to human rights, emphasising the promotion of effective safeguards and remedies for the breach of individual rights and freedoms. Consequently, Bulgaria’s relationship with the United Nations on human rights issues has undergone a significant transformation since the end of the Cold War, bringing domestic violations to the forefront of policy discussions. However, the paradigm shift towards universal human rights protection in Bulgaria after 1991 has not been included in international public law textbooks, while true and broad applicability of UN mechanisms has remained underappreciated. Discussions about the pros and cons of communication procedures before the UN treaty bodies or evaluations of their effectiveness have been generally avoided, and Bulgaria is yet to ratify the respective Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In general, Bulgarian international law scholarship lags behind in ongoing academic efforts to strengthen UN treaty bodies, mechanisms, and procedures. Since Bulgarian scholars did not take the lead in clarifying the conceptual changes in the UN’s approach to human rights, new ideas and tools could only be introduced through the efforts of practitioners from three groups: policymakers from the executive branch, the judiciary, and NGOs and human rights activists. The Universal Periodic Review has completed three full cycles, evaluating Bulgaria’s human rights records in 2010, 2015, and 2020, and has significantly influenced the reform of numerous domestic policies and legislative instruments. Only a small number of communications have been submitted against Bulgaria to UN treaty bodies, specifically to the Human Rights Committee and under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Downloads
References
Alfredsson, G., Grimheden, J., Ramcharan, B.G., de Zayas, A. (eds.) (2009) International Human Rights Monitoring Mechanisms: Essays in Honour of Jakob Th. Möller. 2nd rev. edn. Leiden; Boston: Brill/Nijhoff; https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004162365.i-728.
Alston, P., Crawford, J. (eds.) (2000) The Future of UN Human Rights Treaty Monitoring. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511522284.
Banton, M. (1996) International Action Against Racial Discrimination. Oxford: Oxford University Press; https://doi.org/10.1093/0198280610.001.0001.
Buergenthal, T. (1997) ‘The Normative and Institutional Evolution of International Human Rights’, Human Rights Quarterly, 19(4), pp. 703–723; https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.1997.0033.
Bogdanova, I. (2022) Unilateral Sanctions in International Law and the Enforcement of Human Rights: The Impact of the Principle of Common Concern of Humankind. Leiden; Boston: Brill/Nijhoff; https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004507890.
De Schutter, O. (2010) International Human Rights Law: Cases, Materials, Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511779312.
Dolapchiev, N. (1953) ‘Law and Human Rights in Bulgaria’, International Affairs, 29(1), pp. 59–68; https://doi.org/10.2307/2606558.
Etone, D., Nazir, A., Storey, A. (2024) Human Rights and the UN Universal Periodic Review Mechanism: A Research Companion. Abingdon: Routledge, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003415992.
Greenfield, R. (1981) ‘The Human Rights Literature of Eastern Europe’, Human Rights Quarterly, 3(2), pp. 136–148; https://doi.org/10.2307/761865.
Ivanova, V., Bogdanov, G. (2013) ‘The Deinstitutionalization of Children in Bulgaria – The Role of the EU’, Social Policy & Administration, 47(2), pp. 199–217; https://doi.org/10.1111/spol.12015.
Keller, H., Ulfstein, G. (2012) UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies: Law and Legitimacy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139047593.
Keys, B., Burke, R. (2013) ‘Human Rights’ in Immerman, R.H. and Goedde, P. (eds.) The Oxford Handbook of the Cold War. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 486–502; https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199236961.013.0028.
Kolev, D., Pamporov, A., Petrova, S., Iliev, G., Krumova, T. (2021) Concept for the New National Strategy for the Equality Inclusion and Participation of Roma. Sofia: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Available at: https://bulgaria.fes.de/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/publications/2021/Concept_for_the_New_National_Strategy_for_the_Equality_Inclusion_of_Roma_WEB_ENG.pdf (Accessed: 9 July 2024).
Kozharov, A. (1978) Human Rights and the Ideological Struggle Today. Translated by V. Venkov. Sofia: Partizdat.
Langford, M., Porter, B., Brown, R., Rossi, J. (2016) The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: A Commentary. Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press [Online]. Available at: https://www.pulp.up.ac.za/edited-collections/the-optional-protocol-to-the-international-covenant-on-economic-social-and-cultural-rights-a-commentary (Accessed: 7 July 2024).
Mégret, F., Alston, P. (2020) The United Nations and Human Rights: A Critical Appraisal. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, https://doi.org/10.1093/law/9780198298373.001.0001.
Nakarada, R. (1990) ‘The Constitutional Promotion of Human Rights in Eastern Europe’, Alternatives: Global, Local, Political, 15(2), pp. 227–240; https://doi.org/10.1177/030437549001500205.
Oberleitner, G. (2018) International Human Rights Institutions, Tribunals, and Courts. Singapore: Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5206-4.
Przetacznik, F. (1971) ‘The Socialist Concept of Protection of Human Rights’, Social Research, 38(2), pp. 337–361 [Online]. Available at: https://rbdi.bruylant.be/modele/rbdi/content/pdf/rbdi_2016/RBDI%201977.1-2%20-%20pp.%20238%20a%20278%20-%20Franciszek%20Przetacznik.pdf (Accessed: 7 July 2024).
Richardson-Little, N., Dietz, H., Mark, J. (2019) ‘New Perspectives on Socialism and Human Rights in East Central Europe since 1945: Introduction to the Thematic Issue’, East Central Europe, 46(2–3), pp. 169–187; https://doi.org/10.1163/18763308-04602004.
Sarkin, J. (2020) ‘The 2020 United Nations human rights treaty body review process: prioritizing resources, independence and the domestic state reporting process over rationalizing and streamlining treaty bodies’, The International Journal of Human Rights, 25(8), pp. 1–27; https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1822337.
Spassov, B. (1979) Socialist Legality and Protection of Human Rights. Translated by P. Drenkov. Sofia: Sofia Press.
Subedi, S.P. (2017) The Effectiveness of the UN Human Rights System: Reform and the Judicialisation of Human Rights. London: Routledge; https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315200408.
Vázquez, C.M. (1995) ‘The Four Doctrines of Self-Executing Treaties’, Georgetown Public Law and Legal Theory Research Paper, No. 12–101. Georgetown University Law Center; https://doi.org/10.2307/2203933.
Verdirame, G. (2010) The UN and Human Rights: Who Guards the Guardians? Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511862687.
Белова-Ганева, Г. [Belova-Ganeva, G.] (2013) Актуалните тенденции в защитата на правата на човека. София: Класик Дизайн. [Aktualnite tendencii v zashtita na pravata na choveka. Sofia: Klasik Dizain].
Болшаков, В. [Bolshakov, V.] (1982) Бизнес с правата на човека. София: Партиздат. [Biznes s pravata na choveka. Sofia: Partizdat].
Векилов, Я. et al. [Vekilov, Y. et al.] (1982) Международно сътрудничество за закрила на правата на човека. София: Наука и изкуство. [Mezhdunarodno sytrudnichestvo za zakrila na pravata na choveka. Sofia: Naika i izkustvo].
Видин, Б. [Vidin, B.] (2020) Международно право. София: Сиела. [Mezhdunarodno pravo. Sofia: Ciela].
Дечкова-Миланова, И. [Dechkova-Milanova, I.] (2013) ‘Универсална и регионална защита на репродуктивните права на жените’, Научни трудове на Института за държавата и правото, т. 2013(8), с. 360-376. [‘Universalna i regionalna zashtita na reproduktivnite prava na zhenite’, Nauchni trudove na Instituta za dyrzhavata e pravoto, 2013(8), pp. 360–376].
Друмева, Е., Каменова, Цв. [Drumeva, E., Kamenova, Tsv.] (2000) Права на човека. Пловдив: ПУ „Паисий Хилендарски“. [Prava na choveka. Plovdiv: PU “Paisii Hilendarski”].
Захаров, В., Ананиева, Н., Петков, И., Баламезов, Б. [Zaharov, V., Ananieva, N., Petkov, I., Balamezov, B.] (1979) Правата на човека – „дарени“ и извоювани. София: Партиздат. [Pravata na choveka – “dareni” i izvoyuvani. Sofia: Partizdat].
Иванов, Б. (съст.) [Ivanov, B. (eds.)] (1978) Истината за правата на човека. София: Издателство на Отечествения фронт Istinata za pravata na choveka. [Sofia: Izdatelstvo na Otechestvenia front].
Илиева И. [Ilieva, I.] (2005) Правата на жените като права на човека и системата на ООН. Научни трудове на Института за правни науки. Актуални правни проблеми. т. I. София: БАН – ИПН, 139–199. [Pravata na zhenite kato prava na choveka i sistemata na OON. Nauchni trudove na Instituta za pravni nauki. Aktualni pravni problemi. T.I. Sofia: BAN – IPN, pp. 139–199].
Йочева, К. [Yocheva, K.] (2020) Механизми за наблюдение на изпълнението на международни договори в областта на правата на човека. София: Нов български университет. [Mehanizmi za nablyudenie na izpylnenieto na mezhdunarodni dogovori v oblastta na pravata na choveka. Sofia: Nov bylgarski universitet].
Ковачева, Д. [Kovacheva, D.] (2018) Индивидът в международното право. Правосубектност на физическите лица в контекста на международното право на защита на правата на човека и международното хуманитарно право. София: Сиела. [Individyt v mezhdunarodnoto pravo. Pravosubektnost na fizicheskite lica v konteksta na mezhdunarodnoto pravo na zashtita na pravata na choveka i mechdunarodnoto humanitarno pravo. Sofia: Ciela].
Кожаров, А. [Kozhuharov, A.] (1977) Правата на човека и идеологическата борба днес. София: Партиздат. [Pravata na choveka i ideologicheskata borba dnes. Sofia: Partizdat].
Марчева, Д. [Marcheva, D.] (2021) Конституционният принцип на правовата държава. София: Нов български университет. [Konstitutcionniat princip na pravovata dyrzhava. Sofia: Nov bulgarski universited].
Михайлова, М. [Mihaylova, M.] (1987) Правата на човека: мними и реални. София: Партиздат. [Pravata na choveka: mnimi i realni. Sofia: Partizdat].
Мулешкова, И. [Muleshkova, I.] (2020) Юридически анализ на развитието на международната закрила на правата на човека. София: УНСС. [Yuridicheski analiz na razvitieto na mezhdunarodnata zakrila na pravata na choveka. Sofia: UNSS].
Радойнов, П. [Radoynov, P.] (1971) Съгласуване на вътрешнодържавното и международното право. София: Наука и изкуство. [Syglasuvane na vytreshnodyrzhavnoto i mezhdunarodnoto pravo. Sofia: Nauka i izkustvo].
Спасов, Б., Кутиков, В. [Spassov, B., Kutikov, B.] (2000) Същност, възникване и действие на международните договори. – В: Актуални проблеми на международното право. Сборник от научни трудове, посветен на проф. Владимир Кутиков. София: УИ „Св. Климент Охридски“, 47–75. [’Syshtnost, vyznikvane i deystvie na mezhdunarodnite dogovori’ Aktualni problem na mezhdunarodnoto pravo. Sbornik ot nauchni trudove, posveten na prof. Vladimir Kutikov. Sofia: UI: “Sv. Kliment Ohridski”, pp. 47–75].
Танчев, Е. [Tanchev, E.] (2002) Основни права на човека. София: Юриспрес. [Osnovni prava na choveka. Sofia: Jurispres].
Тодоров, Т. [Todorov, T.] (2000) Прилагане на международните договори във вътрешното право на България. – В: Актуални проблеми на международното право. Сборник от научни трудове, посветен на проф. Владимир Кутиков. София: УИ „Св. Климент Охридски“, 312–328. [’Prilagane na mezhdunarodnite dogovori vyv vytreshnoto pravo na Bulgaria’ Aktualni problem na mezhdunarodnoto pravo. Sbornik ot nauchni trudove, posveten na prof Vladimir Kutikov. Sofia: UI: “Sv. Kliment Ohridski”, pp. 312–328].
Хюфнер К., Константинов Е., Ройтер В. [Hyufner, K., Konstantinov, E., Royter, V.] (2001) Закрила на правата на човека. Международни механизми. София: ГорексПрес. [Zakrila na pravata na choveka. Mezhdunarodni mehanizmi. Sofia: GoreksPres].
Цеков, Д. [Tsekov, D.] (1982) Отново за правата на човека (За свободата на мисълта). София: Партиздат. [Otnovo za pravata na choveka (Za svobodata na misylta). Sofia: Partizdat].
Черненко, К. У. [Chernenko, K. U.] (1983) КПСС и правата на човека. Москва: Издателство на АПН. [KPSS i pravata na choveka. Moskva: Izdatelstvo na APN].
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
