OPEN LETTER TO THE EU VICE-COMMISSIONER FOR JUSTICE, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND CITIZENSHIP, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE cc. Permanent Representatives of the EU Member States in Brussels EU Member States Ambassadors to Sofia Bulgarian Ambassadors to the EU Members States September 2013 RE: THE ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTESTS IN BULGARIA We, the Bulgarians living abroad, would like to raise our concerns about the continuing protests in Bulgaria against the government of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski. Since June 14th, thousands of people in Bulgaria have taken to the streets, supported by Bulgarian citizens all over the world, demanding transparency and accountability and calling for the resignation of the government. We call on the EU to voice unequivocal support for the demands of the protestors for greater respect of democratic values, and to employ all available political and diplomatic measures to continue to exert influence on the Bulgarian ruling élite to tackle corruption, organised crime and oligarchy, all of which seriously undermine good governance and the rule of law. As you are aware the protests started following the controversial appointment of a highly compromised political figure, Delyan Peevski, a media mogul with alleged links to oligarchs and organised crime, as Chair of the National Security State Agency (ДАНС/DANS). This appointment, although quickly withdrawn, was followed by similar controversial actions by the coalition government of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the Movement of Rights and Freedom (MRF). This gives weight to widespread allegations of undercover deals and links between politicians and the oligarchs and organised crime, a worrying nexus widely referred to as “Mafia”. Despite the public outcry, no responsibility has been taken for the series of controversial appointments, which has led to the current loss of trust in the current government and in their ability or willingness to address these prevalent problems. A number of credible studies and research by international NGOs as well as the regular EU Monitoring reports all show that the last 24 years of democratic transition in Bulgaria have been marred by widespread and systemic corruption, impunity for high-level corruption, a strengthening of organised crime and weakening the judicial system, perfunctory democratic procedures, citizen participation and the implementation of public policies. We protest against this sham democracy, and against the “Mafia political clique”, with its links to the past Communist regime that has gained ground during the faltering democratic transition. We protest against the widespread and systematic corruption that hampers Bulgaria’s socio-economic development and affects human rights and the quality of everyday life for its citizens. We protest against the prevalent impunity for corrupt officials and for those involved in organised crime. We protest against the still present influence of the former Communist state security services, who work against any attempt to enhance democratic values and the rule of law in Bulgaria. Furthermore, we are deeply concerned that Parliament and the ruling coalition between BSP (a member of Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) and MRF (a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) is allying itself with the extreme right neo-fascist party ATAKA, a party that employs xenophobic, racist, undemocratic, anti-Semitic and anti-European rhetoric, which violates major democratic principles and the human rights that should be safeguarded in the Constitution. What is happening at this moment in Bulgaria should not be underestimated; it has serious political, social and security implications for the EU and Europe. Therefore, as representatives of the Bulgarians living abroad (most of us within the EU), we implore you to support our demands through the following measures, which we believe are vital for good governance and rule of law in the country: Urge the Bulgarian government and Parliament to take immediate steps to ensure proper debate towards amending the Electoral Code in such as way as to guarantee fairer representation, and initiate early elections. Call on the Bulgarian government and the Parliament to hold an effective and meaningful dialogue with the protestors and ensure that the police complies with human rights obligations at all times during the protests. Support efforts to establish a vetting mechanism as a first step to rooting out impunity amidst candidates and government officials, by investigating all with credible allegations of corruption and of links to the organised crime and the communist secret services. Support effective measures for transparency and accountability in the legislative, judiciary and the executive branches of power to prevent possible corrupt influence over public institutions. Initiate a new debate in the European Parliament on the issues of concern and seek further support within the relevant European parties’ families. Strengthen the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism as a tool for leveraging reforms in order to ensure Bulgaria’s implementation of the EU recommendations; Improve oversight and accountability controls of EU funds to the Bulgarian government and improve efforts to minimise mismanagement and prevent cases of corruption. We are grateful for support shown so far by the EU and EU Member States, and would like to thank you in advance for your time and kind consideration. Yours faithfully, Signatures
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:24:36 +0000