Again the Court postpone the discrimination case against Siderov
30/05/2006
Submitted by
Desislava Petrova - BGO Gemini
ON 23RD OF MAY 2006, Volen Siderov, the member of the Parliament and leader of political party "Ataka" ("Attack") was obligated to appear before the court as to confirm or deny his public homophobic statements, made by him in the media, from the tribune of the Parliament and on political rallies.
Again the Court postpone the discrimination case against Siderov
Once again the Sofia District Court stayed proceedings of the lawsuit against Volen Siderov, leader of the radical nationalistic party Ataka ("Attack"). The reason for postponement is procedural trammels. The lawsuit was raised by civil organizations, who accuse the leader of "Ataka" in inducement to discrimination and propagation of hatred.
20 sympathizers and members of "Ataka" have requested to appear before the court on the side of Siderov. The Court refused the request, however part of the supporters of Siderov have not received notification for the refusal.
This proved to be the main reason for the postponement of the lawsuit.
Today Siderov did not appear in the court hall, irrespectively that he was obliged by the Court. The leader of Ataka was summoned by the Court; however the writ did not correspond to the court regulations. Thus the Court enacted for new writ to be sent to Siderov, explicitly stating that he is obliged to appear.
If the leader of Ataka Volen Siderov did not appear, the Court may consider as proven that he is author of all statements and hate speech, based on which the complaint was raised.
"The statements of Siderov are in protection of the Bulgarian citizens and if these statements are directed against somebody then they are against those that restrict this protection. There's nothing offending about Bulgaria belonging to its inhabitants" said Sirakov, advocate of Siderov and vice-chair of "Ataka". According to him the goal of the plaintiffs is to put pressure on Siderov and the party, which "spoils the easy life of those who want to rob the state". He thinks that the claims were raised in a time when "Ataka" is in upsurge. Siderov doesn't refuse to show up, but he is not summoned according to the rules. Siderov doesn't want to leave the impression that he's looking for cheap popularity or to waste his time with such rather empty by content occupations, Sirakov said.
The plaintiffs insist that Siderov publicly apologizes to the LGBT people and that the Court prohibits him from using offensive words against them in the future, explained Margarita Ilieva, advocate of the plaintiffs. All the people in Bulgaria that identify themselves as homosexual are feeling offended by the words of Siderov, Desislava Petrova from "BGO Gemini" said.
According to her the statements made by Siderov are creating hostile attitudes towards gay people. She added that the most offending word said by the leader of "Ataka" during a parliamentary plenary session against the MP Filip Dimitrov is "homo-dependent". Homosexuals are not dependent because of their sexual orientation, Desislava Petrova said.
The next court session will be on 12th July 2006.
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The lawsuit against Siderov was brought to Court in January 2006 by the Coalition "Citizens Against Hatred" because of his radical xenophobic and homophobic statements, through which he violates the Law and harasses the people of marginalized minority groups and abets to discrimination. The harassment based on minority affiliation and inducements to discrimination violate art. 329, par. 2 of the Constitution of Bulgaria, art. 4 of the Convention for abolition of racial discrimination and art. 4-5 of the Bulgarian Law for protection against discrimination. The Coalition "Citizens Against Hatred" intercedes for the rule of law and the respect to every human being and dignity in Bulgaria. The claimants request the Court to ascertain that the harassment and inducement to discrimination, propagated by Siderov, are violation of the Law and to obligate Siderov to prevent future statements of this nature.
Again the Court postpone the discrimination case against Siderov
Once again the Sofia District Court stayed proceedings of the lawsuit against Volen Siderov, leader of the radical nationalistic party Ataka ("Attack"). The reason for postponement is procedural trammels. The lawsuit was raised by civil organizations, who accuse the leader of "Ataka" in inducement to discrimination and propagation of hatred.
20 sympathizers and members of "Ataka" have requested to appear before the court on the side of Siderov. The Court refused the request, however part of the supporters of Siderov have not received notification for the refusal.
This proved to be the main reason for the postponement of the lawsuit.
Today Siderov did not appear in the court hall, irrespectively that he was obliged by the Court. The leader of Ataka was summoned by the Court; however the writ did not correspond to the court regulations. Thus the Court enacted for new writ to be sent to Siderov, explicitly stating that he is obliged to appear.
If the leader of Ataka Volen Siderov did not appear, the Court may consider as proven that he is author of all statements and hate speech, based on which the complaint was raised.
"The statements of Siderov are in protection of the Bulgarian citizens and if these statements are directed against somebody then they are against those that restrict this protection. There's nothing offending about Bulgaria belonging to its inhabitants" said Sirakov, advocate of Siderov and vice-chair of "Ataka". According to him the goal of the plaintiffs is to put pressure on Siderov and the party, which "spoils the easy life of those who want to rob the state". He thinks that the claims were raised in a time when "Ataka" is in upsurge. Siderov doesn't refuse to show up, but he is not summoned according to the rules. Siderov doesn't want to leave the impression that he's looking for cheap popularity or to waste his time with such rather empty by content occupations, Sirakov said.
The plaintiffs insist that Siderov publicly apologizes to the LGBT people and that the Court prohibits him from using offensive words against them in the future, explained Margarita Ilieva, advocate of the plaintiffs. All the people in Bulgaria that identify themselves as homosexual are feeling offended by the words of Siderov, Desislava Petrova from "BGO Gemini" said.
According to her the statements made by Siderov are creating hostile attitudes towards gay people. She added that the most offending word said by the leader of "Ataka" during a parliamentary plenary session against the MP Filip Dimitrov is "homo-dependent". Homosexuals are not dependent because of their sexual orientation, Desislava Petrova said.
The next court session will be on 12th July 2006.
---
The lawsuit against Siderov was brought to Court in January 2006 by the Coalition "Citizens Against Hatred" because of his radical xenophobic and homophobic statements, through which he violates the Law and harasses the people of marginalized minority groups and abets to discrimination. The harassment based on minority affiliation and inducements to discrimination violate art. 329, par. 2 of the Constitution of Bulgaria, art. 4 of the Convention for abolition of racial discrimination and art. 4-5 of the Bulgarian Law for protection against discrimination. The Coalition "Citizens Against Hatred" intercedes for the rule of law and the respect to every human being and dignity in Bulgaria. The claimants request the Court to ascertain that the harassment and inducement to discrimination, propagated by Siderov, are violation of the Law and to obligate Siderov to prevent future statements of this nature.
