UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Liz Trossell commented on the normative amendments within the Bulgarian Act on Preschool and School Education, which ban the discussion of “non-traditional sexual orientation” and “gender different from the biological” at school. The position reads:
We are deeply concerned by the signing into law of a legislative amendment in Bulgaria prohibiting discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and urge for it to be reconsidered in line with the country’s international human rights obligations. Addressing stigma and disinformation is critical to promoting acceptance and tolerance, and to building inclusive societies that respect and uphold the human rights of all.
The new amendment, coming at a time when 72%* of LGBT individuals in Bulgaria report having been bullied at school, will only serve to deepen human rights violations against LGBT people and bullying and harassment in schools. It also flies in the face of Bulgaria’s constitutional guarantees and international human rights treaty commitments to ensure equality, non-discrimination and freedom of expression.
It is crucial that the Bulgarian authorities take urgent steps to prevent and combat violence, discrimination and bullying, particularly against LGBT youth and within the education system.
The statement comes a day after the National Network for the Children sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Committee with the kind request for the UN to use its authority under Article 44, Para. 4 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and to request the Bulgarian government to inform the Office on what measures have been or will be taken to start a parliamentary procedure to cancel these discriminatory changes.
The position’s original text* is published on the UN Human Rights Office website here.
*The text was amended on 19 August 2024 to reflect the correct figure of 72%, and not 82%
