In 2025, the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) initiated 518 formal proceedings concerning discrimination, a significant increase compared to the 179 proceedings recorded in 2024, according to CPD Chair Elka Bozhova during a presentation in Montana on Monday. The Commission subsequently issued decisions regarding 418 cases. Bozhova noted that the most frequent complaints and alerts received by the CPD related to discrimination in the exercise of the right to work.
Specifically, the CPD addressed instances where employers reportedly failed to comply with established collective labor agreements. Furthermore, reports concerning hate speech used in televised and media statements by politicians were also documented. In addition to employment issues, efforts to ensure physical accessibility were highlighted.
Within the Montana Region, numerous inspections of publicly significant buildings were conducted under the “Accessible Bulgaria” campaign, leading to the initiation of 62 proceedings regarding the accessible architectural environment in 2025. In most documented cases, the owners of these structures have implemented measures to provide access for individuals with disabilities. To bolster local capacity for protection, a three-day professional development seminar is currently underway in Montana.
CPD lecturers are training civil servants from the town and the surrounding region. The objective of this training is to equip these officials to recognize various forms of discrimination and effectively direct affected individuals to the CPD representation service. As part of the curriculum, trainees are tasked with assuming the role of experts to determine whether discrimination has occurred in specific case studies.
Topics: #discrimination #proceedings #protection
This substantial rise in proceedings suggests a growing level of public concern regarding discrimination issues.