Bulgaria: Update to BGR19346.E of 10 January 1995 regarding protection mechanisms for women suffering gender and human rights abuse
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BGR19513.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bulgaria: Update to BGR19346.E of 10 January 1995 regarding protection mechanisms for women suffering gender and human rights abuse, 1 January 1995, BGR19513.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab83b4.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a telephone interview on 11 January 1995, representatives from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Sofia provided the information in this response. Traditionally, family violence has rarely been publicly discussed in Bulgarian society, and women have been and continue to be generally unwilling to report the problem to the police. If a women were to complain to the police, she would be required to file a report and give her name. But some women would be unwilling to provide their names.
There are no mechanisms to protect witnesses to sexual assault from reprisals by people accused of or prosecuted for sexual assault. Consequently, the police have difficulty obtaining the witnesses that are occassionally required for conviction.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Sofia. 11 January 1995. Telephone interview with representatives.
