The General Assembly of the European Bars Federation (FBE) in Bologna 19 May 2018, which represents 250 member Bars of Europe and their 1 million member lawyers, expressed its grave concerns for the situation in Bulgaria in relation to the lack of recognition of any same-sex unions and the need to provide a high standard of protection against all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

In accordance with the FBE constant position and responsibility for protection of human rights of every single individual, any violation of the right to respect for private and family life is breaking the rules of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. 

FBE reminds that the ECtHR has established a positive obligation upon member states of Council of Europe to ensure a specific legal framework providing for the recognition and protection of same-sex unions.

Furthermore all forms of violence and discrimination against women have to be prevented, prosecuted and eliminated as it is foreseen by the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, signed in Istanbul in 2011 (Istanbul Convention).

REQUEST the Bulgarian authorities to establish a legal framework providing the recognition and the protection of same-sex unions.

SUPPORT the statement of the Supreme Bar Council of Bulgaria about the need of ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

REQUEST the Bulgarian authorities to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, signed in Istanbul in 2011 (Istanbul Convention).