Bulgaria: Procedure for recognizing citizenship for ethnic Turks born in Bulgaria and who had Bulgarian citizenship at birth, but who left Bulgaria in the 1980s; level of discretion available to authorities in recognizing such individuals' citizenship (1999)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 November 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | BGR33218.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Bulgaria: Procedure for recognizing citizenship for ethnic Turks born in Bulgaria and who had Bulgarian citizenship at birth, but who left Bulgaria in the 1980s; level of discretion available to authorities in recognizing such individuals' citizenship (1999) , 12 November 1999, BGR33218.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad4838.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. |
Very little information further to that of BGR32094.E of 22 July 1999 on the procedure for recognizing citizenship for ethnic Turks born in Bulgaria and who had Bulgarian citizenship at birth, but who left Bulgaria in the 1980s, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, the following information was provided on 2 June 1999 by a counsellor with the Bulgarian Embassy in Ottawa:
In order to reinstate Bulgarian citizenship, provisions under Chapter IV, art. 26 [of the new citizenship law], which reads (unofficial translation) as follows:
Art. 26 (1) Citizenship of a person, released [from] Bulgarian citizenship, can be reinstated upon his/her request, provided:
The person has not been convicted with effective sentence for committed intentional crime in the country of residence or in the Republic of Bulgaria, and
(The person) does not endanger public peace, public morals, public health or national security.
(2) Citizenship of a person of non-Bulgarian origin, released from Bulgarian citizenship either upon his/her request or under the terms of relocation agreements conducted with the Republic of Bulgaria, can be reinstated under the provisions of Par. 1 and provided the person has obtained a residence permit to reside in the Republic of Bulgaria at least three years prior to submitting the request.
No information further to that of BGR32094.E of 22 July 1999 on the
level of discretion available to authorities in recognizing the citizenship of ethnic Turks who had left Bulgaria in the 1980s could be found among the sources consulted.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Embassy of Bulgaria, Ottawa. 2 June 1999. Correspondence from Counsellor.
Additional Sources Consulted
European Dialogue [Zoetermeer, Netherlands]. Nov. 1998-May 1999.
Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, WNC.
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International Website.
Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Website.
Bulgarian Institute for Legal Development Website.
Council of Europe Website.
Human Rights Watch Website.
International Helsinki Federation.
Minority Electronic Resources Website.
Minority Rights Group Website.
Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe Website.