site.btaCommission for Prevention of Discrimination Expresses Concern Over Anti-Semitic Reports in Bansko

Preventing acts of anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination is an essential element in ensuring public order, protecting human rights, and establishing Bulgaria as a country that upholds the principles of tolerance, equality, and the rule of law, the Commission for Protection against Discrimination said in a position regarding reports of anti-Semitism against Italian students in Bansko.

In its capacity as the national specialized body responsible for preventing discrimination, providing protection against discrimination, and ensuring equal opportunities, as well as the OSCE national contact point for hate crimes, the Commission considers the reports concerning a group of young people who were allegedly subjected to insults and threats because of their Jewish origin during their stay at a hotel in Bansko to be troubling.

The Commission added that anti-Semitism constitutes a form of discrimination based on religion or ethnic origin and is incompatible with the values of a democratic society. It also has the potential to seriously infringe upon the rights of Jewish people and place them in a discriminatory position. For this reason, combating anti-Semitism has become a key policy priority in Europe and is reflected in a number of international human rights instruments, EU declarations, and recommendations of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance.

Bulgarian legislation, through the Protection against Discrimination Act, also establishes prohibitions against any acts that create a hostile, offensive, or degrading environment for individuals or groups on various grounds, including religion, ethnic identity, or origin.

The Commission emphasized that the current case is a clear signal that preventing and protecting against unequal treatment must be at the core of all actions taken by the competent authorities and by society as a whole. The Commission said that it will continue to closely monitor the case and, once all circumstances have been fully clarified, it will initiate proceedings on its own initiative if necessary.

The initial information about the incident on August 2 appeared in Italian media, which reported that “a group of neo-Nazis attempted to break into a hotel in Sofia where a group of young Italian Jews were staying.” Later, the Ministry of Interior announced that the incident had actually taken place in Bansko.

The head of the local police department in the town, Hristiyan Parmakov, said at a briefing that at around 11.30 pm a report had been received about individuals threatening physical confrontation in front of a hotel in the town. Police officers were dispatched and established that no physical altercation had occurred, while the participants were identified.

“According to preliminary information, it can be assumed that the group staying at the hotel provoked the passing citizens with indecent gestures and signs,” Parmakov said.

A case file has been opened in connection with the incident and has been reported to the competent prosecutor’s office. All participants in the incident have been identified, and it has been established that the Bulgarian youths are minors.