Skopje, 10 December 2023 (MIA) — The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in its latest findings on Bulgaria after reviewing the state at its latest session recommended that Bulgaria should "consider all possible means for guaranteeing the effective enjoyment by persons belonging to ethnic minorities including Macedonian and Pomak minority groups of their human rights including through the implementation of the relevant judgments of the European Court of Human Rights relevant to the right to freedom of expression and freedom of association."

"The Committee takes note of the explanation provided by the State party’s delegation that all its citizens have the right of self-identification, including for Macedonian and Pomak. However, the Committee is concerned about reports that members of Macedonian minority groups are banned from the free exercise of the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

"The Committee regrets the persisting obstacles and burdensome requirements for the registration of civil society organizations and the reported refusal of registrations of Macedonian associations by the Registration Agency and by courts, based on their Macedonian self-identification," the session conclusions say, recommending that Bulgaria should ensure they be allowed to effectively exercise their human rights.

"The Committee also recommends that the State party eliminate all barriers to the registration of minority associations and take measures to encourage their activities and collaborate with them," the conclusions add.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination published its findings on Bolivia, Bulgaria, Germany, Morocco, South Africa and Viet Nam after reviewing the six states parties in its latest session held on Nov. 20 through Dec. 8,  2023, ahead of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. mr/