site.btaCommission for Protection against Discrimination Chair Describes Institution as Exemplary within Family of Equality Bodies

Chair of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) Elka Bozhova said at the opening of an event marking the 20th anniversary of the institution’s establishment that the CPD is an example within the family of equality bodies as an authority with broad powers in the field of human rights protection.

"In a person’s life, the first 20 years mean youth, but for the CPD these 20 years signify institutional maturity," Bozhova stated. Over two decades, the Commission has achieved justice in a number of cases it has reviewed, she added, noting that people with disabilities now enjoy increasingly accessible environments.

Bozhova stressed that for CPD members the cause is to ensure that people are not divided because of their differences.

She said the future of the Commission should include amendments to the Protection against Discrimination Act. Experience gained over the past two decades shows the need for changes regarding functional immunity, Bozhova pointed out.

Among the attendees at the ceremony were National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, representatives of various institutions and others.

During the event, the CPD presented awards for consistent efforts to build an accessible environment. Among the award recipients were Kiril Valchev, Director General of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), and Vasil Vasilev, Director of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Mihail Hadzhiyanev, Chair of the Burgas Municipal Council, received the award on behalf of the municipality.