Discrimination cases - further developments
16/06/2006
Submitted by
Desislava Petrova - BGO Gemini
Two session on the complaints raised by BGO Gemini were held in the Commission for Protection Against Discrimination today.
The first session was conciliatory on the complaint against the national newspaper “Duma”, which refers to publication from 27 December 2005. BGO Gemini considers that there is incitement to discrimination and propagation of hatred and use of abusive language towards homosexual, bisexual and transgender persons in Bulgaria. The publication is a breach of the principles of freedom of speech and direct violation of the Bulgarian Law for Protection Against Discrimination.
Today the Commission postponed the session to 27th June following the defendant’s requested prolongation.
The second session was about the discrimination case against 3rd District Police Station in Sofia. The complaint was raised by Ilir Ayeti, who is member of BGO Gemini. The 22-year-old man reports that last October he was arrested and mistreated by police officers in the capital city. The complainer reports the Police officers insulted and beat up him because of his sexuality and his Albanian origin. On 15th May the two parties were given a week to reach a compromise agreement. Ayeti and BGO Gemini insisted the policemen should confess to racial and sexual discrimination, as to withdraw further proceedings before the anti-discrimination Commission.
On 29th of May was the second meeting when was expected that the claimant and defendants would come to agreement. Despite the attempts made by BGO Gemini to meet with the police officers, meeting for agreement wasn’t held. The Commission requested support from the National Police Service to obligate them to present the session today. Nevertheless the two police officers didn’t come.
The reporter assigned by the commission concluded that during the 12 hours illegal arrest Ayeti was denied to contact his mother and meet with psychiatrist, he was kept without food. The reporter also states that the findings prove that one of the initially three Police officers has given false written evidence to support her colleagues. Today she was summoned as a witness for the case, but also didn’t appear.
Within the next 14 days the Commission will pronounce its final conclusion on the complaint. The final resolution of the Commission on the discrimination case raised by BGO Gemini against Municipality Varna is expected by the end of June.
The first session was conciliatory on the complaint against the national newspaper “Duma”, which refers to publication from 27 December 2005. BGO Gemini considers that there is incitement to discrimination and propagation of hatred and use of abusive language towards homosexual, bisexual and transgender persons in Bulgaria. The publication is a breach of the principles of freedom of speech and direct violation of the Bulgarian Law for Protection Against Discrimination.
Today the Commission postponed the session to 27th June following the defendant’s requested prolongation.
The second session was about the discrimination case against 3rd District Police Station in Sofia. The complaint was raised by Ilir Ayeti, who is member of BGO Gemini. The 22-year-old man reports that last October he was arrested and mistreated by police officers in the capital city. The complainer reports the Police officers insulted and beat up him because of his sexuality and his Albanian origin. On 15th May the two parties were given a week to reach a compromise agreement. Ayeti and BGO Gemini insisted the policemen should confess to racial and sexual discrimination, as to withdraw further proceedings before the anti-discrimination Commission.
On 29th of May was the second meeting when was expected that the claimant and defendants would come to agreement. Despite the attempts made by BGO Gemini to meet with the police officers, meeting for agreement wasn’t held. The Commission requested support from the National Police Service to obligate them to present the session today. Nevertheless the two police officers didn’t come.
The reporter assigned by the commission concluded that during the 12 hours illegal arrest Ayeti was denied to contact his mother and meet with psychiatrist, he was kept without food. The reporter also states that the findings prove that one of the initially three Police officers has given false written evidence to support her colleagues. Today she was summoned as a witness for the case, but also didn’t appear.
Within the next 14 days the Commission will pronounce its final conclusion on the complaint. The final resolution of the Commission on the discrimination case raised by BGO Gemini against Municipality Varna is expected by the end of June.
