In 2004, in the Bulgarian legislation the Law for Protection against Discrimination was adopted and has been applied ever since.
Naturally, it came as a resonance to the necessity for protection of individuals against various forms of discrimination on a different basis.
Generally, the main purpose and function of this law is to ensure that no individual suffers from discrimination under any form and even more, it arranges an important preventive mechanism in a way that legal cooperation is provided before an act of discrimination occurs.
There are several fundamental rights, which are guaranteed through this act.
In the first place, it is the equality before the law; just as crucially important, the legislator has considered the equality in treatment and the opportunities for even participation in social life; effective defence against discrimination is also included in order to provide the actual execution of those principles.
Having explained that, all kind of direct or indirect discrimination, based on gender, race, nationality, ethnic origin, human genome, citizenship, origin, religion or belief, education, political affiliation, personal or social status, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, financial status or any other indicators/signs proclaimed by law or in an international treaty, a party to which is the Bulgarian state.
Direct discrimination is each form of less favourable treatment of an individual based on the traits in Article 1, compared to the way another individual is or has been treated or would be treated under common circumstances.
Indirect discrimination is the form of treatment of individuals who bear one or more of the traits in Article 4, par. 1, or of individuals who, without bearing such a trait, together with the aforementioned, stand less favourable treatment or are placed in a significantly unfavourable position, resulting from seemingly neutral provisions, criteria or practice, unless the provision, criteria or practice are objectively justified in regard with the purpose of law and the means for achieving this purpose are suitable and necessary.
Harassment based on the traits described previously in Art. 4, par. 1, sexual harassment, the incitement to discrimination, persecution and racial segregation, as well as the building and maintenance of architectural environment which hampers or restricts the access of people with disabilities to public places, is considered discrimination.
Anyone who considers themselves a victim of unequal or unfair treatment could file a complaint to the Commission for protection against discrimination.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A VICTIM OF DISCRIMINATION?
11.05.2022
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