Roma Policy Lab

Human rights, gender equality

REPORT: Problems with the equal treatment of accused persons in pre-trial proceedings in Bulgaria

Problems in the criminal justice system in Bulgaria have disparate impact on particular groups. This applies to both police custody and pre-trial proceedings. Bulgaria is unique in the disproportionately high number of Roma people either accused or convicted in criminal proceedings. Data obtained in this research allows us to measure the unequal treatment of, as well as the disparate effects that provisions, measures and policies have on the three main ethnic groups in Bulgaria (Bulgarians, ethnic Turks and Roma), as well as on foreign nationals, women and juveniles.

Project: “Children for the Rights of the Child”

The main goal of the project is to develop innovative solutions for teaching children about their right to express and defend their opinions on issues that affect them. Association “Chance and Protection” also aims to develop its capacity to educate children about their right to participate, to study the effect of applying innovative approaches and to disseminate them.

Domestic and gender-based violence in Bulgaria. Methodology for Monitoring Policy and Institutional Practice

This publication is an analysis of the practical application, implementation, and evaluation of concrete legal, strategic, and policy measures set to counter the phenomenon of gender based and domestic violence in Bulgaria. Consequently, it shows how data, statistics and insights collected with respect to these types of violence could be interpreted and put into context. Ultimately, the methodology is intended to serve as a useful tool for experts, helping them identify and define acute challenges, key areas for improvement, as well as existing best practices.

Project: “Youth Theatre against Hate Network Development”

With this project, the capacity of more than 20 civil society organizations working with youth in four regions in Bulgaria was developed to use a model of work to overcome conflicts and develop critical thinking among young people through the means of theater.

Project:”Knowledge of Human Rights”

The project envisages activities to raise the awareness of young people/school students, teachers and the media about human rights followed by youth campaigns, debates and social media campaigns carried out based on the knowledge acquired.

Project: “Research and Prevention of Violence Against Roma Women in the Municipalities of Kuklen, Perushtitsa and Rodopi”

The specific objectives of the project were, going deep into the issue through a series of researches, observations and analysis, to build a bridge between institutions and Roma communities at the local level and to help build trust between them, to influence local policies by developing a local model for the work of institutions in the municipalities of Rhodopes, Kuklen, Perushtitsa on cases of violence against women in Roma communities.