AMNESTY International’s newly-released annual report sharply criticises Bulgaria for alleged human rights violations by law enforcement officers, and “inhuman” conditions in institutions for the mentally disabled.
Titled the 2002 report but mainly covering incidents last year, the document says that reports of ill-treatment and torture by law enforcement officials were widespread. “Very few of the suspected perpetrators were brought to justice.”
Many of the victims, some of whom were minors, were Roma. The Human Rights Project, a Bulgarian NGO, said it had investigated more than 90 complaints by Roma victims of serious human rights violations.
Amnesty International said that investigations by authorities in response to complaints “frequently appeared not to be conducted in a thorough and impartial manner”.
Law enforcement officials continued to use firearms in circumstances prohibited by international standards, resulting in deaths and injuries. At least three people died last year in such incidents, according to the report.
In February last year, then-Interior Minister Emanuil Yordanov was reported to have said he would re-examine all provisions regarding the use of firearms by police and civilians, and ordered that all police officers undergo psychological training within a three-month period. “It appeared these measures had little effect,” Amnesty International said.
The report highlighted the death in custody in January last year of Mehmed Mumun, also known as Milotin Mironov, allegedly beaten to death by police. Two officers had been charged but at the time the report was compiled had not been brought to trial.
Most of those who had complained about their treatment in police custody had said they had not been allowed to contact their lawyers, and had been refused medical attention.
Conditions in many institutions for adults with mental disabilities “amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” Amnesty International said.
In harsh criticism of conditions for adults with mental disabilities, the report said social homes were typically located in remote areas.
Residents were housed in unsuitable, dilapidated quarters with extremely poor hygiene, no signs of being allowed personal belongings, and sometimes were subjected to cruel forms of restraint and seclusion.
“In some homes the lack of adequate medical care, heating and food appeared to contribute to deaths.”
Amnesty International said autopsies were seldom carried out and no criminal investigations ensued.
The Amnesty International report, in highlighting alleged abuses in Bulgaria, is similar in content, tone and emphasis to reports by the US State Department and international human rights groups. Recently, continuing criticism prompted Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry to respond by releasing its own report, which sought to rebut the criticisms.
Titled the 2002 report but mainly covering incidents last year, the document says that reports of ill-treatment and torture by law enforcement officials were widespread. “Very few of the suspected perpetrators were brought to justice.”
Many of the victims, some of whom were minors, were Roma. The Human Rights Project, a Bulgarian NGO, said it had investigated more than 90 complaints by Roma victims of serious human rights violations.
Amnesty International said that investigations by authorities in response to complaints “frequently appeared not to be conducted in a thorough and impartial manner”.
Law enforcement officials continued to use firearms in circumstances prohibited by international standards, resulting in deaths and injuries. At least three people died last year in such incidents, according to the report.
In February last year, then-Interior Minister Emanuil Yordanov was reported to have said he would re-examine all provisions regarding the use of firearms by police and civilians, and ordered that all police officers undergo psychological training within a three-month period. “It appeared these measures had little effect,” Amnesty International said.
The report highlighted the death in custody in January last year of Mehmed Mumun, also known as Milotin Mironov, allegedly beaten to death by police. Two officers had been charged but at the time the report was compiled had not been brought to trial.
Most of those who had complained about their treatment in police custody had said they had not been allowed to contact their lawyers, and had been refused medical attention.
Conditions in many institutions for adults with mental disabilities “amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment,” Amnesty International said.
In harsh criticism of conditions for adults with mental disabilities, the report said social homes were typically located in remote areas.
Residents were housed in unsuitable, dilapidated quarters with extremely poor hygiene, no signs of being allowed personal belongings, and sometimes were subjected to cruel forms of restraint and seclusion.
“In some homes the lack of adequate medical care, heating and food appeared to contribute to deaths.”
Amnesty International said autopsies were seldom carried out and no criminal investigations ensued.
The Amnesty International report, in highlighting alleged abuses in Bulgaria, is similar in content, tone and emphasis to reports by the US State Department and international human rights groups. Recently, continuing criticism prompted Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry to respond by releasing its own report, which sought to rebut the criticisms.
