Bulgaria's EU Presidency
30.11.2017
Question for written answer E-007375-17
to the Council
Rule 130
Barbara Spinelli (GUE/NGL) , Bodil Valero (Verts/ALE) , Cornelia Ernst (GUE/NGL) , Benedek Jávor (Verts/ALE) , Barbara Lochbihler (Verts/ALE) , Péter Niedermüller (S&D) , Soraya Post (S&D) , Nessa Childers (S&D) , Zigmantas Balčytis (S&D) , Patricia Lalonde (ALDE) , Dietmar Köster (S&D) , Peter Kouroumbashev (S&D) , Evelyn Regner (S&D) , Julie Ward (S&D)
Bulgaria will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union from January 2018. However, this year there has been an increase in hate speech against Roma, Muslims and migrants and there has also been a rise in illegal forced evictions and police raids against the Roma community in Bulgaria.
In particular, the forced evictions specifically targeting Roma communities, without any prior consultation and without providing them with alternative accommodation, is in breach of the Race Equality Directive (Council Directive 2000/43/EC) and of Bulgaria’s commitments under international human rights law.
In addition, numerous organisations and activists have expressed their concern regarding the participation of the political party ‘United Patriots’ (UP) in the present government in Bulgaria. Members of this party, who will chair Council working groups and meetings, have espoused racist and xenophobic views, and have called for legislation and policies against communities.
The Union must take action to show that there is no place for any form of discrimination or hate speech within the EU.
What is the Council doing regarding Bulgaria, and in particular hate speech by government ministers from the UP?
How does the Council intend to ensure that Member States which fail to uphold fundamental rights will be prevented from holding future EU Council presidencies?
Supporter[1]
- [1] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Tania González Peñas (GUE/NGL).