The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner has called on Bulgaria to adhere to a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) interim order halting the demolition of Roma homes in Sofia’s Zaharna Fabrika district. Despite the ECHR’s directive, over 200 individuals have been left homeless, lacking basic necessities and state support .
The ECHR’s interim measure, issued on April 11, mandated Bulgaria to cease the demolitions until the court resolves the underlying case. Bulgarian authorities justified the demolitions by citing safety concerns due to the structures’ alleged illegality .
Commissioner Gudrun Mosler-Törnström emphasized that interim ECHR orders are binding and that Bulgaria must ensure the affected individuals are provided with adequate housing and protection against discrimination. She also noted that failure to comply could lead to EU sanctions, as member states are obligated to uphold the rule of law .
This incident is part of a broader pattern of forced evictions of Roma communities in Bulgaria, which have previously drawn criticism from international human rights bodies. The European Roma Rights Centre has documented similar cases, highlighting systemic issues of discrimination and inadequate housing conditions for Roma populations .
The Council of Europe urges Bulgarian authorities to respect the ECHR’s ruling and to take immediate steps to provide alternative housing and support to those affected by the demolitions.
