Series:CSD Social Studies Papers

Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of domestic violence victims

Взаимодействие между институциите и неправителствения сектор за подобряване на положението на пострадалите от домашно насилие

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

Keywords: CSD; Center for the Study of Democracy; memorandum; recommendations; vulnerable groups; domestic violence; victims

The initiative ‘Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State’ encompasses four vulnerable groups: persons deprived of their liberty, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as persons in need of international protection and other vulnerable foreigners. Although very different, those communities encounter similar problems in their relations with institutions: insufficient human and financial resourcing, work practices not always meeting the needs of vulnerable groups. Thus, oftentimes those persons rely on civil society for improving their status, including through assistance before the respective competent authorities. Throughout its different stages, the initiative outlined the profile of the vulnerable groups, their relations with institutions and NGOs and promising foreign experience and practices applicable in the Bulgarian environment. A Concept for More Effective Civic Participation in the Assistance to Vulnerable Groups was developed, proposing further practical steps. The four memoranda (Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of domestic violence victims; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of victims of human trafficking; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons deprived of their liberty; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons seeking international protection and other vulnerable foreigners) contain specific recommendations to institutions, working with the vulnerable groups, based on the Concept and the opinions of various state authorities and civil society representatives.

Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of victims of human trafficking

Взаимодействие между институциите и неправителствения сектор за подобряване на положението на жертвите на трафик на хора

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

Keywords: Center for the Study of Democracy; memorandum; NGO; recommendations; vulnerable groups; victims; human trafficking

The initiative ‘Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State’ encompasses four vulnerable groups: persons deprived of their liberty, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as persons in need of international protection and other vulnerable foreigners. Although very different, those communities encounter similar problems in their relations with institutions: insufficient human and financial resourcing, work practices not always meeting the needs of vulnerable groups. Thus, oftentimes those persons rely on civil society for improving their status, including through assistance before the respective competent authorities. Throughout its different stages, the initiative outlined the profile of the vulnerable groups, their relations with institutions and NGOs and promising foreign experience and practices applicable in the Bulgarian environment. A Concept for More Effective Civic Participation in the Assistance to Vulnerable Groups was developed, proposing further practical steps. The four memoranda (Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of domestic violence victims; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of victims of human trafficking; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons deprived of their liberty; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons seeking international protection and other vulnerable foreigners) contain specific recommendations to institutions, working with the vulnerable groups, based on the Concept and the opinions of various state authorities and civil society representatives.

Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons deprived of their liberty. Memorandum with recommendations

Взаимодействие между институциите и неправителствения сектор за подобряване на положението на лишените от свобода. Меморандум с препоръки

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

Keywords: CSD; Center for the Study of Democracy; memorandum; NGO; recommendations; vulnerable groups; persons deprived of their liberty; prisoners

The initiative ‘Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State’ encompasses four vulnerable groups: persons deprived of their liberty, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as persons in need of international protection and other vulnerable foreigners. Although very different, those communities encounter similar problems in their relations with institutions: insufficient human and financial resourcing, work practices not always meeting the needs of vulnerable groups. Thus, oftentimes those persons rely on civil society for improving their status, including through assistance before the respective competent authorities. Throughout its different stages, the initiative outlined the profile of the vulnerable groups, their relations with institutions and NGOs and promising foreign experience and practices applicable in the Bulgarian environment. A Concept for More Effective Civic Participation in the Assistance to Vulnerable Groups was developed, proposing further practical steps. The four memoranda (Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of domestic violence victims; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of victims of human trafficking; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons deprived of their liberty; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons seeking international protection and other vulnerable foreigners) contain specific recommendations to institutions, working with the vulnerable groups, based on the Concept and the opinions of various state authorities and civil society representatives.

Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons seeking international protection and other vulnerable foreigners. Memorandum with recommendations

Взаимодействие между институциите и неправителствения сектор за подобряване на положението на търсещите закрила и други уязвими групи чужденци. Меморандум с препоръки

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

Keywords: CSD; Center for the Study of Democracy; memorandum; NGO; recommendations; vulnerable groups; international protection; vulnerable foreigners; foreigners

The initiative ‘Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State’ encompasses four vulnerable groups: persons deprived of their liberty, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as persons in need of international protection and other vulnerable foreigners. Although very different, those communities encounter similar problems in their relations with institutions: insufficient human and financial resourcing, work practices not always meeting the needs of vulnerable groups. Thus, oftentimes those persons rely on civil society for improving their status, including through assistance before the respective competent authorities. Throughout its different stages, the initiative outlined the profile of the vulnerable groups, their relations with institutions and NGOs and promising foreign experience and practices applicable in the Bulgarian environment. A Concept for More Effective Civic Participation in the Assistance to Vulnerable Groups was developed, proposing further practical steps. The four memoranda (Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of domestic violence victims; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of victims of human trafficking; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons deprived of their liberty; Co-operation between institutions and NGOs in improving the status of persons seeking international protection and other vulnerable foreigners) contain specific recommendations to institutions, working with the vulnerable groups, based on the Concept and the opinions of various state authorities and civil society representatives.

Analytical Report: Monitoring of the Forced Return in Bulgaria

Аналитичен доклад: Наблюдение на принудителното връщане в България

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

Keywords: CSD; Center for the Study of Democracy; Analytical Report; Monitoring; Forced Return; Bulgaria

The governance of migration flows largely depends on the development of an effective system for returning illegally staying foreigners. Forced return is seen as a "last resort" in the fight against illegal migration and should be subject to the principles of proportionality and not exceeding the reasonable force. In this regard, there is agreement that the monitoring not only brings openness and clarity on the conditions and treatment, but represents an additional guarantee for the return of persons, including those with special protection needs. In this context, the introduction of an independent and effective monitoring mechanism is a key aspect for the development of the overall framework for forced return in accordance with Directive 2008/115/EC. The aim of the developed Analytical report: Monitoring of the forced return in Bulgaria is to present an analysis on the existing legal and institutional framework in the area of forced return in Bulgaria and to make general recommendations for the development of a national mechanism to forced return monitoring. This Analytical report is developed within the Annual Programme 2013 in scheme grants BG / RF (3) - 2013 "Forced return monitoring" by the Center for the Study of Democracy.

National Study on Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (DGBV) and Elaboration of a Victims Support Model (VSM): Legal, Institutional and Policy Analysis

National Study on Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (DGBV) and Elaboration of a Victims Support Model (VSM): Legal, Institutional and Policy Analysis

Author(s): Gunn Bjørnsen,Elmira Nesheva,Miriana Ilcheva / Language(s): English

Keywords: Domestic Violence; Gender-Based Violence; DGBV; Victims Support Model; VSM:

Although throughout the last decade the Bulgarian authorities have adopted a number of acts and subsidiary legislation, as well as improved the existing ones, related to domestic and gender-based violence (DGBV), the country still has a long way to go to bring its legislation and practices in full compliance with EU and Council of Europe standards. The present analysis will attempt to show that Bulgaria has a fairly comprehensive legal framework for counteracting violence, affecting disproportionately women and girls. It includes, inter alia, the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence and the Regulation for its implementation, stipulating a civil law procedure for protecting those harmed; relevant provisions in the Criminal Code, criminalising bodily injury and other forms of violence against the person, plus a provision on punishing non-compliance with a domestic violence protection order; a body of legislation for protection and (financial) assistance of victims of crime, including a dedicated law, relevant provisions in the Criminal Procedure Code. In addition, a number of policy documents guide the work of institutions in co-ordinating their efforts to combat violence and protect groups of persons harmed, especially those with multiple vulnerabilities, such as Roma women and girls.

Trends in Radicalisation that May Lead to Violence: National Background Study, Greece

Trends in Radicalisation that May Lead to Violence: National Background Study, Greece

Author(s): Dia Anagnostou,Dimitris Skleparis / Language(s): English

Keywords: Trends; Radicalisation; Violence; Greece

This report focusses on the case of Greece, where the phenomenon of radicalisation has been present throughout the period from the mid-1970s. Greece displays one of the most persistent problems of terrorism in Europe, raising anew the question of why extremist and revolutionary organisations continue to emerge and be active in democracies. Since the 2010, right wing and left wing extremism and radicalisation have intensified, especially in the context of a deepening social and economic crisis. The report provides a background study on radicalisation in Greece and the various forms that it takes, as a basis to bridge existing knowledge gaps on the subject. It provides and overview of past and current radicalisation trends. The national background study aims to first, identify and assess the legal and institutional responses to the processes of radicalisation that may lead to acts of violence and second, to review and analyse trends (ideas, actors, actions, motivations and root causes) in three strands of radicalisation (right and left wing, Islamist radicalisation and football hooliganism).

Trends in Radicalisation that May Lead to Violence: National Background Report. Czech Republic

Trends in Radicalisation that May Lead to Violence: National Background Report. Czech Republic

Author(s): Libor Stejskal,Pavlína Bláhová,Michal Hořejší,Oldřich Krulík,Luděk Moravec,Jan Ludvík / Language(s): English

Keywords: Trends; Radicalisation; Violence; Czech Republic

Few would dispute the risks associated with the existence of extremism and radicalism. While not all extremists necessarily turn to political violence this dangerous pathway cannot be ruled out, as reminded by numerous acts of political violence worldwide. This national study on the Czech Republic aims to contribute to a better understanding of extremism and radicalism and the road that leads individuals and groups to radical views and social identities. The study provides background empirical data about the development and the state of extremism in the Czech Republic to both professionals in the field and experts interested in advancing further research.

Good practices from other states for the participation of NGOs in supporting selected vulnerable groups in their relations with institutions

Добри практики от други държави за участие на НПО в подпомагането на избрани уязвими групи при взаимоотношенията им с институциите

Author(s): Miriana Ilcheva / Language(s): Bulgarian

Keywords: CSD; Center for the Study of Democracy; Working Paper; Good practices; NGO; vulnerable groups; Bulgaria; prisoners, victims; trafficking; domestic violence

In order to contribute to the improvement of the situation of Bulgarian NGOs, providing support to selected vulnerable groups – prisoners, victims of trafficking and domestic violence, persons seeking international protection and other vulnerable foreigners – this report presents a selection and summary of good practices from EU Member States, donor states Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and countries outside of Europe. The practices have been identified by studying printed and electronic publications of foreign entities and comparative reports of international organisations on the legislation, policies and practices in different countries. Part of the information has been collected via foreign partners of the Center for the Study of Democracy under projects, related to the selected vulnerable groups and the capacity building of civic organisations.

Directory of institutions and organizations, working with refugees and migrants

Справочник на институциите и организациите, работещи с бежанци и мигранти

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

This directory of institutions and organizations, working with selected vulnerable groups – prisoners, refugees and migrants, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking – was made within the framework of the initiative Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State. State authorities and NGOs are presented in separate templates, outlining their contact information, as well as their main activities, related to vulnerable groups. The legal grounds for institutions’ work with those communities are described, as well as the key projects NGOs have worked on in the areas under research in the last few years.

Directory of institutions and organizations, working with victims of domestic violence

Справочник на институциите и организациите, работещи с жертви на домашно насилие

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

This directory of institutions and organizations, working with selected vulnerable groups – prisoners, refugees and migrants, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking – was made within the framework of the initiative Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State. State authorities and NGOs are presented in separate templates, outlining their contact information, as well as their main activities, related to vulnerable groups. The legal grounds for institutions’ work with those communities are described, as well as the key projects NGOs have worked on in the areas under research in the last few years.

Directory of institutions and organizations, working with victims of human trafficking

Справочник на институциите и организациите, работещи с жертви на трафик

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

This directory of institutions and organizations, working with selected vulnerable groups – prisoners, refugees and migrants, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking – was made within the framework of the initiative Civic Organizations: a Guarantee for Equal Rights of Vulnerable Groups before the State. State authorities and NGOs are presented in separate templates, outlining their contact information, as well as their main activities, related to vulnerable groups. The legal grounds for institutions’ work with those communities are described, as well as the key projects NGOs have worked on in the areas under research in the last few years.

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Bulgaria – country report

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Bulgaria – country report

Author(s): Dimitar Markov,Maria Yordanova,Miryana Ilcheva,Maria Doichinova / Language(s): English

The country background papers present information about the penitentiary system in Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania and Spain. The information includes: (1) legislation and other applicable regulations governing the penitentiary system; (2) structure of the system (types and number of facilities, location, management, etc.); (3) statistical data (prison population, capacity of penitentiary facilities, categories of inmates, budget, etc.); (4) studies and reports by domestic and international institutions and organizations dealing with prison-related issues; (5) additional information on the penitentiary system. The country background papers are based on the developed Methodology for data collection and analysis on the penitentiary system within the Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC) initiative.

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Spain – country report

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Spain – country report

Author(s): Alejandro Forero Cuéllar,María Celeste Tortosa,Iñaki Rivera Beiras,Josep Maria García-Borés Espí / Language(s): English

The country background papers present information about the penitentiary system in Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania and Spain. The information includes: (1) legislation and other applicable regulations governing the penitentiary system; (2) structure of the system (types and number of facilities, location, management, etc.); (3) statistical data (prison population, capacity of penitentiary facilities, categories of inmates, budget, etc.); (4) studies and reports by domestic and international institutions and organizations dealing with prison-related issues; (5) additional information on the penitentiary system. The country background papers are based on the developed Methodology for data collection and analysis on the penitentiary system within the Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC) initiative.

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Belgium – country report

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Belgium – country report

Author(s): Nicola Giovannini,Malena Zingoni / Language(s): English

The country background papers present information about the penitentiary system in Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania and Spain. The information includes: (1) legislation and other applicable regulations governing the penitentiary system; (2) structure of the system (types and number of facilities, location, management, etc.); (3) statistical data (prison population, capacity of penitentiary facilities, categories of inmates, budget, etc.); (4) studies and reports by domestic and international institutions and organizations dealing with prison-related issues; (5) additional information on the penitentiary system. The country background papers are based on the developed Methodology for data collection and analysis on the penitentiary system within the Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC) initiative.

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Lithuania - country report

Re-socialisation of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Lithuania - country report

Author(s): Gytis Andrulionis,Renata Giedrytė-Mačiulienė,Simonas Nikartas / Language(s): English

The country background papers present information about the penitentiary system in Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania and Spain. The information includes: (1) legislation and other applicable regulations governing the penitentiary system; (2) structure of the system (types and number of facilities, location, management, etc.); (3) statistical data (prison population, capacity of penitentiary facilities, categories of inmates, budget, etc.); (4) studies and reports by domestic and international institutions and organizations dealing with prison-related issues; (5) additional information on the penitentiary system. The country background papers are based on the developed Methodology for data collection and analysis on the penitentiary system within the Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC) initiative.

Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Methodology for data collection and analysis

Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC). Workstream 1: Imprisonment in Europe. Methodology for data collection and analysis

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

The successful implementation of the activities under the recently launched initiative Re-socialization of offenders in the EU: enhancing the role of the civil society (RE-SOC) depends on the expanded knowledge of the prison systems in the participating countries. Therefore, a separate set of activities is dedicated to the collection, analysis and systematization of the available information and tailoring it to the specificities of the other initiative activities. To facilitate this process a Methodology for data collection and analysis was developed, which includes the following components: (1) list of issues to be covered; (2) recommended sources to be consulted and relevant international standards; (3) methodological guidelines on how to collect, analyze and present information; (4) glossary of terms; and (5) language and style requirements. The developed methodology will be used for analyzing the information collected for several EU Member States. The analysis will aim to answer specific questions related to the prison system: structure and legal framework of the penitentiary system, prison capacity, number and structure of the prison population, etc. The results of the analysis will be summarized in country background papers.

Gender Equality and Ombudsman Institution

Равнопоставеност на половете и институцията Омбудсман

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Bulgarian

The handbook Gender Equality and Ombudsman Institution presents the mechanisms for protecting women's rights and the ombudsman institution in Bulgaria and Europe and offers an updated review of both the common and the specific characteristics of the experience of the European countries. The publication includes useful information about women's networks and centers in Bulgaria, useful web sites and international events in the field of women's rights protection.

Transit migration in Bulgaria

Transit migration in Bulgaria

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): English

The Working Party on Information of the Vienna Group, at its meeting of 17 February 1993, discussed the Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Migration Information System submitted by IOM and recommended that IOM should start implementing such a program. Two substantial migration flows to Western Europe cross Bulgaria. The first one is made up of migrants from the Middle East who intend to migrate to Central and Western Europe (above all Germany and Austria). The flow that previously passed through former Yugoslavia has now been largely re-oriented through Romania. A second flow comes from the Newly Independent States (NIS) and Romania, crossing Bulgaria and entering Greece.

National Question, Minorities’ Problem and Ethnic Conflicts in Romania of Today (1990-1992)

National Question, Minorities’ Problem and Ethnic Conflicts in Romania of Today (1990-1992)

Author(s): Krassimira Naumova / Language(s): English

Ethnical misunderstanding, disagreement and conflicts on internal or interstate level might happen as a result of inequality of the national majority and ethnical minorities civil rights (economic, political, cultural, etc.) in the process of formulation and implementation of the state policy of a country. This thesis is aims at clarifying the applicability of the above criteria of aggressiveness to Romania of today (December, 1989 - beginning of 1992).