Title: Bulgaria‘s Civil Society Under Pressure: An Interview with Deyan Kolev of Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe"
In recent years, Bulgaria’s civil society has faced increasing pressure, with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often accused of being "foreign agents." Deyan Kolev, Director of the Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance "Amalipe," shares his thoughts on this growing trend and the challenges faced by NGOs in the country.
Q: Deyan, are you considered a "foreign agent" given that you represent an NGO? How does that make you feel?
- I feel like a Bulgarian citizen working to improve the education and future of our society as a whole, and the Roma community in particular. The absurd law proposal for registering "foreign agents" would essentially label millions of Bulgaria’s and practically all NGO workers as such. I would not be an exception.
Q: Is there pressure on the civil society and NGOs?
- Sadly, yes. For decades, terms like "Soros types" and "human rights activists" have been used pejoratively, suggesting they’re evil projects undermining traditional values with foreign money. The rise of ultranationalist parties in politics has further fueled this rhetoric. The recent attempts to adopt the Istanbul Convention, perceived as promoting "gender ideology," have exacerbated this trend. Organizations working against domestic violence and gender inequality have been targets, with some even changing their names or shutting down.
Q: What was 2024 like for Bulgaria’s civil society?
- 2024 saw new heights in pressure against civil society._auth situationalSckf
- Changes to the Education Act in August, supposedly targeting "LGBT propaganda," aimed to restrict schools’ cooperation with NGOs.
- Proposed amendments to the Education Act, Child Protection Act, and other laws.
- A controversial "Foreign Agents" law proposal by the Revival party.
These moves have caused concern among educators, NGOs, and even the business sector.
Q: Can NGOs still work effectively in Bulgarian schools?
- On the ground, we’re seeing positive changes. Many of the 247 schools we work with had no dropout cases last year, and more children, including girls, continue to secondary education. This progress is thanks to the schools, our educational mediators, and the positive developments within the Roma community.
Q: What about the Domestic Violence Act? Is it effective?
- The problem is serious and affects all societal groups. We need to create a societal intolerance towards domestic violence and support victims. The law alone isn’t enough; we must also change societal attitudes.
Q: How do you view the changes to the Education Act?
- The changes were pushed through without Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) agreement or consultation with educators. The real goal was to limit NGO influence, despite no evidence of "LGBT propaganda" in schools.
Q: How does discrimination manifest in schools?
- Direct and indirect discrimination against Roma students is still prevalent, from teachers using derogatory terms to separating Roma children into separate classes or groups, violating the Education Act. We must fight all forms of discrimination to ensure all students feel protected and equal in their classrooms.
