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Parliamentary question - E-007586/2015Parliamentary question
E-007586/2015

Hate speech in Bulgarian politics

Question for written answer E-007586-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (ALDE)

On 16 September 2014, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe published its report on Bulgaria. The report states that several ultra-nationalist/fascist groups and political parties operate in Bulgaria. They systematically spread hatred against neighbouring peoples in the Balkans and conduct anti-Roma propaganda. The ECRI is deeply concerned about the ease with which extremist parties get official recognition, as well as the availability of state subsidies to them.

In conclusion, the ECRI strongly recommends that the Bulgarian authorities take swift action against any criminal activities, such as incitement to discrimination, hatred and violence. In spite of this, the instances of racist and intolerant speech in Bulgarian political discourse have increased in recent months. Politicians from the coalition government systematically use hate speech, and in December 2014 the Minister of Health, Petar Moskov, had the gall to stereotype an entire ethnic group (the Roma) by saying, ‘If someone chooses to live and behave like an animal, they deserve to be treated as such.’

1. Is the Commission aware of the increased use of hate speech by Bulgarian politicians?

2. What measures does the Commission intend to take to counter the use of hate speech by politicians?