Bulgaria is experiencing a marked decline in civic space and fundamental freedoms due to a proposed law that targets LGBTIQ+ people and civil society organisations. A bill to amend the Child Protection Act, introduced in December 2024 by members of the ruling coalition, proposes to ban access to and dissemination of any information related to gender identity and expression that does not conform to the view of sex as strictly biological. It also seeks to criminalise the provision of medical services related to gender transition for minors and to revoke licenses from social service providers who share such information.
This bill follows the August 2024 adoption of discriminatory amendments to the Education Act, which prohibit the promotion or discussion of diverse and non-traditional sexual orientations or gender identities in schools. These changes were passed under a fast-track procedure without proper debate or public consultation.
The current legislative developments in Bulgaria mirror illiberal trends similar to Russia, Georgia, and Hungary. As observed in other countries, the homophobic rhetoric is not only used to target a specific minority, but it also serves as a building block for wider illiberal narratives. The Bulgarian government has used these laws to justify hostile actions against LGBTIQ+ organisations, including public smear campaigns and parliamentary hearings designed to intimidate civil society actors.
The proposed Child Protection Act amendments have already passed three out of five parliamentary commissions and may soon be adopted by the full parliament. Only one opposition party has consistently voted against the bill. Its vague language, coupled with its severe restrictions, risks normalising censorship, silencing human rights defenders, and banning public human rights events such as Pride. The law would also further discourage schools and institutions from engaging with civil society, due to fear of accusations of promoting “propaganda”. This legislative initiative is discriminatory and in conflict with the European and international standards on freedom of expression, association, and protection from discrimination. It threatens the provision of essential social services and deepens the chilling effect on civil society in Bulgaria.
Urgent EU Action needed to counter the anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation
The European Commission and the European Parliament should take immediate action in response to the legislative trend in Bulgaria, which risks infringing on the rights guaranteed in EU law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The proposed amendments to the Child Protection Act and the earlier changes to the Education Act are systematic efforts to institutionalise discrimination and stifle civic space. The Commission should publicly condemn these legislative developments and make it clear that discrimination, censorship, and civic space restrictions are incompatible with the EU rule of law framework. The Parliament should initiate monitoring and public hearings and engage in dialogue with Bulgarian civil society organisations.
