Bulgaria: Information on the Independent Society for Human Rights
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BGR9741 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bulgaria: Information on the Independent Society for Human Rights, 1 November 1991, BGR9741, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acaf8.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A review of sources available to the IRBDC indicates that several different names have been used in media reports since 1988 to refer to one of the first Bulgarian dissident organizations founded in 1988. These names include the Independent Society for Human Rights (East European Reporter Spring/Summer 1991, 29; Washington Times 10 Oct. 1991), the Bulgarian Independent Human Rights Society (BBC Summary 3 Nov. 1990), the Independent Association for the Defence of Human Rights (RFE Feb. 1990, 9-10; BBC Summary 18 July 1990; Reuters 10 Apr. 1989 and 9 Nov. 1988), and the Independent Society for the Protection of Human Rights (Reuters 24 Oct. 1988; IHRLG May 1990, 23). As is evident in the attached articles, the similarity of details, including the names of leaders and the dates of activities, indicates that these various titles refer to one organization.
The attached articles and the Response to Information Request BGR9757 provide information on this topic. Please note that the report from the East European Reporter stating that the organization disintegrated in 1990 cannot currently be corroborated by the IRBDC (East European Reporter Spring/Summer 1991, 29).
Bibliography
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 3 November 1990. "Helsinki Watch Association formed in Sofia," BTA [in English], 31 October 1990.
. 18 July 1990. "Human Rights Association Says No Basis Yet for Prosecuting Zhivkov," Sofia Home Service, 16 July 1990.
East European Reporter. Spring/Summer 1991. "Bulgaria: Perestroika or Progress?"
International Human Rights Law Group (IHRLG). May 1990. Preliminary Report on the Upcoming Bulgarian Elections.
Radio Free Europe (RFE). 10 February 1990. Research. "Political Parties in Eastern Europe."
Reuters. 19 April 1990. "Over 100 Bulgarian Prisoners Join Rooftop Protests."
. 10 April 1990. "Bulgaria Expels Founders of Unofficial Green Movement."
. 9 November 1988, AM Cycle. "Bulgaria to Expel Dissident, Allow Two More to Leave."
. 24 October 1988, PM Cycle. "Bulgaria Expells [sic] Human Rights Campaigner, Western Group Says."
The Washington Times. 10 October 1990. "Bulgarian Shortages Bode a Harsh Winter."
Attachments
Associated Press. 8 December 1989. "Bulgaria Convenes Session Likely to Oust More Zhivkov Men."
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 3 November 1990. "Helsinki Watch Association formed in Sofia," BTA [in English], 31 October 1990.
. 18 July 1990. "Human Rights Association Says No Basis Yet for Prosecuting Zhivkov," Sofia Home Service, 16 July 1990.
. 3 February 1989, AM Cycle. "Human Rights Activist Given 24 Hours to Leave Bulgaria."
The Christian Science Monitor. 20 June 1989. "Bulgaria Pays Little Heed...."
East European Reporter. Spring/Summer 1991. "Bulgaria: Perestroika or Progress?"
International Human Rights Law Group (IHRLG). May 1990. Preliminary Report on the Upcoming Bulgarian Elections.
Radio Free Europe (RFE). 10 February 1990. Research. "Political Parties in Eastern Europe."
Reuters. 19 April 1990. "Over 100 Bulgarian Prisoners Join Rooftop Protests."
. 10 April 1990. "Bulgaria Expels Founders of Unofficial Green Movement."
. 12 December 1989, BC Cycle. "Bulgarian Opposition Cautiously Welcomes Promised Elections."
. 28 October 1989, BC Cycle. "Bulgarian Police Release Activists Held in Sofia Crackdown."
. 19 October 1989, BC Cycle. "Bulgarian Human Rights Activists Hold First Public Rally."
. 18 March 1989, AM Cycle. "Bulgaria Orders Out Four Dissidents, Exile Group Says."
. 3 March 1989, AM Cycle. "Bulgaria's Dissident Movement on the Rise."
. 13 January 1989, AM Cycle. "Bulgarian Police Round Up Leading Dissidents."
. 9 November 1988, AM Cycle. "Bulgaria to Expel Dissident, Allow Two More to Leave."
. 24 October 1988, PM Cycle. "Bulgaria Expells [sic] Human Rights Campaigner, Western Group Says."
The Washington Post. 17 July 1989. "Bulgarian Human Rights Leaders Jailed, Expelled."
The Washington Times. 10 October 1990. "Bulgarian Shortages Bode a Harsh Winter."