#Bulgaria

Human rights defenders in Bulgaria are frequently subject to threats, harassment, intimidation, smear campaigns and physical attacks. Cooperation between authorities and civil society groups continues to deteriorate due to growing support in the country for a more conservative agenda. Some political parties, coalitions and media outlets advocate for the closure of NGOs funded by foreign donors. Human rights defenders working on minority rights, especially those who defend Roma rights, continue to face profound discrimination and racism from State and non-State actors, which discourages them from carrying out their legitimate human rights work. Human rights defenders working on LGBTI rights are also particularly vulnerable and have faced increasing challenges in carrying out their work. Hate speech and hate crimes directed at minority groups, particularly Roma and Turks, refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants continue to rise, encouraged by the anti-migrant, racist and xenophobic rhetoric of a number of Bulgarian politicians. The media is often used to spread inflammatory, hate-inciting messages targeting minorities, marginalised groups and human rights defenders working for the rights of these groups.