The Bulgarian Commission for protection against discrimination held a meeting with 67 representatives of non-profit civil organizations. The meeting took place on 26 January 2006 in hotel Rodina, Sofia.

The Commission was finally established in June 2005, though the deadline for its constitution was 31 March 2004. The Bulgarian Law for protection against discrimination was adopted by the Parliament in the middle 2003 and came into force from 01 January 2004.

The Commission consists of 9 members with 5 years mandate. Five members of the Commission were elected by the Parliament during the second half of April 2005. The rest 4 were appointed by decree of the President in May 2005.

The objective of the performed meeting on 26th was the Commission to present its activities so far, the regulations for complaint proceeding according to the Law for protection against discrimination.

During the meeting was discovered that the Commission has problems with its establishment in office space, including the lack of internet website.

It is anticipated that in February 2006 the Commission will have website. During the meeting did not become clear what the Commission strategy and action plan is.

Since June 2005 till now the Commission has been working on adoption of internal regulations for its structure and activity and proceeding of the received complaints. Untill now the Commission has received total 83 complaints, including 3 from BGO Gemini, who was the first non-profit civil organization who have called upon the Commission. On the total 83 complaints have been processed 48 on various grounds of discrimination.

The address of the Commission is 1125 Sofia, 35 Dragan Tzankov Blvd., telephone 02/ 870 84 48, e-mail: kzd@spnet.net.