“This law is not just a Bulgarian issue — this is a Russian law that has found its way into the heart of Europe,” Rémy Bonny, executive director of Forbidden Colours, a group supporting LGBTQ+ rights, told POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook. “The European Commission must step in and hold Bulgaria accountable.”
Senior figures from the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup wrote last week to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli asking the Commission president to “urgently condemn” the new law.
“This law is a direct assault on the LGBTIQ+ community — in particular children,” wrote group co-presidents Kim van Sparrentak from the Netherlands and Marc Angel from Luxembourg. “Such ‘anti-propaganda’ bills put children and youth at risk by contributing to creating a threatening environment where LGBTIQ+ children can be subject to bullying, harassment and increased health-related risks.”
The European Commission told POLITICO that Dalli on Aug. 13 sent a letter to Bulgarian Education and Science Minister Galin Tsokov “to request further information on the legislation.”
“The Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to tackling discrimination, inequalities and challenges faced by LGBTIQ individuals — including in education, as outlined in our LGBTIQ Equality Strategy of November 2020,” a Commission spokesperson said.
Human rights organizations — including Action, Buditelkite, Forbidden Colours, LevFem, Feminist Mobilisations and Deystvie — have denounced the bill, and their petition asking the Bulgarian president to veto the amendment was signed by about 7,000 people. Academics have written an open letter urging likewise.
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