The Council on Ethnic Issues is concerned about incidents of violence

Sofia, 28 September 2007 – Yesterday, the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues at the Council of Ministers adopted a declaration prompted by the recent incidents in Sofia’s Krasna Polyana neighbourhood. The text of the declaration is given below.

Declaration of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues at the Council of Ministers from 27 September 2007

The National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues,
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION its functions as a consultative and coordinating body, which assists the Council of Ministers in implementing the state policy on ethnic and demographic issues,
REFERRING to the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Bulgaria,
BEING LEAD by the principle of equality of all Bulgarian citizens, irrespective of their ethnic and religious belonging,
STRESSING the efforts of society to eliminate all forms of inequality before the law, in the treatment and in the opportunities for participation in public life,

1. ADOPTS with concern the multiplying incidents of confrontation, acсompanied with violence, in which innocent Bulgarian citizens become victims;
2. APPEALS for strict observance of the rights and responsibilities of Bulgarian citizens as there are set forth in the Constitution and the laws of the country;
3. CALLS ON all Bulgarian citizens to preserve the traditional model of tolerance and understanding, which is emblematic of Bulgarian society and of the whole democratic world;
4. CONFIRMS the readiness of the National Council for Cooperation on Ethnic and Demographic Issues not to allow discrimination on any ground and not to tolerate criminal acts and ethnic confrontation;
5. APPEALS to the media for ethic and prompt coverage of those public events, which have a bearing to the preservation of ethnic peace and balance of interethnic relationships;
6. CALLS ON the political parties for a responsible and adequate political behaviour and rhetoric with regard to ethnic peace as a fundamental value for Bulgarian society.