Press Release
Press Release
Bulgaria Ignores European Court of Human Rights Ruling - Press Release
Macedonian Human Rights Movement International - Press Release
Toronto, Canada - Once again, Bulgaria has proven its complete disregard for human rights and European law. In its latest state-sponsored act of racism towards its large Macedonian minority, the Sofia City Court has rejected, again, the registration of Macedonian minority party OMO Ilinden PIRIN, despite the ECHR's October 2005 ruling that the party be immediately registered.
According to party co-president, Stojko Stojkov, "Bulgarian authorities are taking every measure possible to prevent us from participating in next month's local elections.”
Since last year, Bulgaria has intensified its campaign of blatant racism and persecution of its Macedonian minority including slander by the media, Bulgarian politicians calling for Macedonians to be "shot dead in the streets” and "expelled from Bulgaria”, and the secret police intimidating members of OMO Ilinden PIRIN with detainment and threats of deportation, loss of citizenship, loss of employment and even execution. See www.mhrmi.org/press_releases.asp for more information.
"The European Union claims to uphold the rule of law and stand for human rights for all citizens. Yet, EU member-states are continuously permitted to ignore ECHR rulings and continue to violate their minority's rights” said MHRMI president Bill Nicholov.
MHRMI calls on the international community to condemn Bulgaria's state-sponsored acts of oppression, and demand that Bulgaria immediately recognize its large Macedonian minority and grant it the human rights that it is guaranteed by all international human rights conventions. Moreover, MHRMI calls on the European Union to enforce the European Court of Human Rights decision in favour of OMO Ilinden PIRIN's immediate registration.
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Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. Its main objective is to pursue and attain all fundamental human and national rights including the right of freedom of expression and association and to support all democratic principles for all ethnic Macedonians, and other oppressed peoples. For more information please contact MHRMI at 416-850-7125, or info@mhrmi.org
Toronto, Canada - Once again, Bulgaria has proven its complete disregard for human rights and European law. In its latest state-sponsored act of racism towards its large Macedonian minority, the Sofia City Court has rejected, again, the registration of Macedonian minority party OMO Ilinden PIRIN, despite the ECHR's October 2005 ruling that the party be immediately registered.
According to party co-president, Stojko Stojkov, "Bulgarian authorities are taking every measure possible to prevent us from participating in next month's local elections.”
Since last year, Bulgaria has intensified its campaign of blatant racism and persecution of its Macedonian minority including slander by the media, Bulgarian politicians calling for Macedonians to be "shot dead in the streets” and "expelled from Bulgaria”, and the secret police intimidating members of OMO Ilinden PIRIN with detainment and threats of deportation, loss of citizenship, loss of employment and even execution. See www.mhrmi.org/press_releases.asp for more information.
"The European Union claims to uphold the rule of law and stand for human rights for all citizens. Yet, EU member-states are continuously permitted to ignore ECHR rulings and continue to violate their minority's rights” said MHRMI president Bill Nicholov.
MHRMI calls on the international community to condemn Bulgaria's state-sponsored acts of oppression, and demand that Bulgaria immediately recognize its large Macedonian minority and grant it the human rights that it is guaranteed by all international human rights conventions. Moreover, MHRMI calls on the European Union to enforce the European Court of Human Rights decision in favour of OMO Ilinden PIRIN's immediate registration.
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Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. Its main objective is to pursue and attain all fundamental human and national rights including the right of freedom of expression and association and to support all democratic principles for all ethnic Macedonians, and other oppressed peoples. For more information please contact MHRMI at 416-850-7125, or info@mhrmi.org