Justice Sector Institutional Indicators for Criminal Case Management

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

The present white paper summarises the main findings of the Justice Sector Institutional Indicators for Criminal Case Management study. It puts forward the main problems which EU countries face in measuring justice system performance – there is no single assessment model and many countries are still in the experimental phase. Besides the legal accountability mechanisms courts tend to be a subject of managerial accountability. Despite the different approaches followed by the studied EU member states and the lack of a leading assessment methodology, certain indicators as caseload, duration of the procedure, available resources per number of cases can be distinguished as best practice.

Crime Trends in Bulgaria 2000 – 2005: Executive Summary of CSD Report

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

The current publication focuses on the main findings from the National Crime Surveys. Toward the end of the 1990s and, particularly after the year 2000, as the prospect of EU membership became more likely, greater political stability and economic prosperity in Bulgaria led to a gradual decrease in crime. This trend, which was most perceptible in the period 2000–2005, was the result of several factors. Declining unemployment, rising incomes and economic growth provided alternatives to many individuals with criminal incomes. Demographic processes and emigration also contributed to the reduction in crime. Further strengthening of the judiciary and the law-enforcement systems, in an attempt to meet EU-set requirements, revived the criminal justice system, which in 2004 issued six times more sentences than it did in 1993.

Българската конституционна реформа в контекста на присъединяването на Република България към Европейския съюз (2003 – 2005)

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

The report analyzes the Bulgarian constitutional reform (the amendments and supplements to the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria in the period 2003 – 2005) and traces the socio-political factors, which have affected it, where external factors are identified as most crucial. The two phases of the constitutional reform are examined and the determinant role of the external requirements, related to the country’s EU accession negotiations and its overall integration process are discussed. The amending and supplementing constitutional texts dealing with the reform of the judiciary (2003) and Bulgaria’s forthcoming EU membership (2005) are considered in detail.

European Standards and Ombudsman Institutions in Southeast Europe

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

The publication European Standards and Ombudsman Institutions in Southeast Europe presents a summary of the discussion at the International Conference European Standards and Ombudsman Institutions in Southeast Europe held on June 6-8, 2002, in Sofia. The conference was organized jointly by the Center for the Study of Democracy and Friedrich Ebert Foundation and was attended by ombudsmen and representatives of the institution from Sweden, Belgium, Greece, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Kosovo as well as experts and representatives of institutions and organizations from Bulgaria actively involved in the process of introducing Ombudsman institution in Bulgaria.

Civic Defender and Local Civic Mediators: Concept Paper and Draft Law

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

The publication Civic Defender and Local Civic Mediators: Concept Paper and Draft Law consists of both a concept paper and a proposal for a draft law for the establishment of the institutions of the Civic Defender and Local Civic Mediator in Bulgaria. It is the result of the extended research work carried out by the Law Program of the Center for the Study of Democracy during the period 1998 - 2002. The concept paper and the Draft law reflect the opinions and recommendations of Bulgarian and foreign experts, politicians, representatives of state institutions and non-governmental organizations provided at the numerous public discussions, meetings and consultations during this time.

Corruption Assessment Report 1999

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

Limiting corruption in Bulgarian society calls not only for institutional and legal measures but also for establishing the rule of law. In this sense, it is of crucial importance to foster a political and economic culture based on trust and respect for public institutions, on transparency and openness in the actions of public administration, and the will to achieve stability and predictability of the economic and social environment. Coalition 2000 is an initiative of Bulgarian non-governmental organizations which was launched in the Spring of 1997 aimed at limiting corruption in Bulgarian society through a partnership between state institutions, non-governmental organizations, and individual personalities, who developed and have been implementing an Anti-Corruption Action Plan, Corruption Monitoring System, and an anti-corruption public awareness campaign. The Corruption Assessment Report 1999 follows the structure and approach of the Action Plan adopted by the Policy Forum of Coalition 2000 in November 1998. It presents a general evaluation of the state and dynamic of corruption in Bulgarian society and of the efforts to counteract it in 1999.

Unemployment, Poverty, Social Security: the Bulgarian Experience, June 1993

Author(s): Georgi Shopov / Language(s): English

The rapid pace of political and economic changes over the last three years have faced Bulgaria with a great variety of challenges. The transition to a democratic society and a market economy, which is taking place under a deepening economic crisis, has caused - or, rather, made obvious - a number of acute problems. Against this background, unemployment and poverty proved to be the social problems with the highest conflict-generating potential.

Privatization and Foreign Debt Conversion in Bulgaria

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

Postprivatization Behavior of Enterprises in Bulgaria, 1994

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

DG Enlargement Guidelines for the Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Region

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

The enlargement countries face a range of challenges, especially in fields such as the rule of law, corruption, organised crime, the economy and social cohesion. Civil Society actors and organisations can make a substantial contribution to addressing many of these through their lobbying, advocacy and oversight activities at national, regional and local level. When it comes to democratic governance and the rule of law and fundamental rights, including freedom of expression & association and minority rights, they can create demand for enhanced transparency, accountability and effectiveness from public institutions and facilitate a greater focus on the needs of citizens in policy-making. The DG Enlargement Guidelines on the EU enlargement support to civil society are elaborated following online and national consultations. The consultations process will continue until the end of August 2013.

THE HIDDEN ECONOMY IN BULGARIA (General Population), December 2002

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

The main goal of the research project outlined in the present paper is to initiate systematic monitoring of the size and dynamics of the hidden economy in Bulgaria (HEM). The project envisions conducting a series of representative surveys of the country's adult population and of the business sector at three-month intervals. This will make it possible not only to examine the dynamics of the problem, but also to collect reliable information about the differences in the attitudes of the general population and the business community to the manifestations and reasons for the development of the hidden economy in this country.

E-newsletters on the VICS initiative. Number 3. Представяне на националния доклад за България по инициативата "Подобряване на защитата на правата на пострадалите от престъпления: достъп до правна помощ"

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

E-newsletters on the progress of the initiative Improving protection of victims’ rights: access to legal aid (VICS) are regularly compiled and distributed among stakeholders to keep them informed about activities and recent developments. The newsletters include information about publications and events within the framework of the initiative and other legislative and practical updates in the area of victims’ rights.

E-newsletters on the VICS initiative. Number 4.Кръгла маса „Формиране на дългосрочни политики за подобряване на положението на пострадалите от престъпления”

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

E-newsletters on the progress of the initiative Improving protection of victims’ rights: access to legal aid (VICS) are regularly compiled and distributed among stakeholders to keep them informed about activities and recent developments. The newsletters include information about publications and events within the framework of the initiative and other legislative and practical updates in the area of victims’ rights.

Expert evaluation network delivering policy analysis on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013. Year 3 – 2013. Task 1: Job creation as an indicator of outcomes in ERDF programmes. Bulgaria.

Author(s): Ruslan Stefanov,Daniela Mineva,Plamen Shalafov / Language(s): English

In March 2014, DG Regional Policy at the European Commission published a report on Bulgaria's progress on the job creation as an indicator of outcomes in ERDF programmes and an evaluation report on the achievements of the Cohesion policy in Bulgaria. The two reports were prepared by CSD experts in the framework of the Expert Evaluation Network delivering policy analysis on the performance of the Cohesion Policy 2007 - 2013. The first report provides an overview of the methodology, data reporting and wider use of the indicator ‘job creation’ for monitoring the impact of the Structural Funds. The second report reviews all supported areas by the Cohesion Policy in Bulgaria and in particular the assistance provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The report is based on statistical and financial data and interviews with representatives of the Managing Authorities of Operational Programmes (OPs). The text describes the progress under the OPs and the impact of the financed projects. The report presents the main conclusions drawn from the OPs evaluations and foregrounds the remaining challenges to Bulgaria.

Expert evaluation network delivering policy analysis on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013. Year 3 – 2013. Task 2: Country Report on Achievements of Cohesion policy. Bulgaria.

Author(s): Plamen Shalafov,Ruslan Stefanov / Language(s): English

In March 2014, DG Regional Policy at the European Commission published a report on Bulgaria's progress on the job creation as an indicator of outcomes in ERDF programmes and an evaluation report on the achievements of the Cohesion policy in Bulgaria. The two reports were prepared by CSD experts in the framework of the Expert Evaluation Network delivering policy analysis on the performance of the Cohesion Policy 2007 - 2013. The first report provides an overview of the methodology, data reporting and wider use of the indicator ‘job creation’ for monitoring the impact of the Structural Funds. The second report reviews all supported areas by the Cohesion Policy in Bulgaria and in particular the assistance provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The report is based on statistical and financial data and interviews with representatives of the Managing Authorities of Operational Programmes (OPs). The text describes the progress under the OPs and the impact of the financed projects. The report presents the main conclusions drawn from the OPs evaluations and foregrounds the remaining challenges to Bulgaria.

ОБЩЕСТВЕНИ НАГЛАСИ КЪМ ИНСТИТУЦИИТЕ ОТ ТИПА “ОМБУДСМАН”

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

This focus group is part of a research project aimed at promoting human rights in Bulgaria and in particular establishing the institution of the Ombudsman. The main focus of the focus group was to obtain reliable information about the perceptions, expectations and recommendations of the surveyed persons regarding institutions of the type of ombudsman.

Корупционни индекси на Коалиция 2000, Ноември 2001

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

In the period 04.10.2001 г. - 20.10.2001, Vitosha Research conducted its survey concerning the corruption among the population in Bulgaria. The study is part of Coalition 2000's Corruption Monitoring System.

Корупционни индекси на Коалиция 2000, Март 1999

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

In the period 06.02.1999-20.02.1999, Vitosha Research conducted its survey concerning the corruption among the population in Bulgaria. The study is part of Coalition 2000's Corruption Monitoring System.

ИЗСЛЕДВАНЕ НА ОБЩЕСТВЕНОТО МНЕНИЕ ЗА ОТНЕМАНЕ В ПОЛЗА НА ДЪРЖАВАТА НА ИМУЩЕСТВО, ПРИДОБИТО ОТ ПРЕСТЪПНА ДЕЙНОСТ

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

Between 15 and 28 September 2002, Vitosha Research conducted a national representative survey among 1000 respondents over 15 years. The study aimed to establish public opinion on the law for seizure for the benefit of the state of property acquired from criminal activity.

Електронни инструменти за ефективно управление на наказателни дела в отделни страни - членки на ЕС

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

In recent years, public authorities have begun to adopt several statutory reforms to incorporate ICT into everyday tasks of judicial systems’ actors. In the European sphere, the concept of e-justice has been mainly developed in justice administration. This publication provides comparative analysis of current practices of justice record keeping and the electronic tools for measuring the judicial system performance in Finland, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, and England and Wales as well as an overview of the introduction of ICT in the judiciaries of Bulgaria and Poland.