The state of human rights in Bulgaria shows an overall deterioration in 2018, according to a new report of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, the largest and oldest human rights organisation in Bulgaria. The report finds an unprecedentedly low institutional capacity to improve the state of human rights in the country, a purposeful development of political discourse towards nationalist and xenophobic propaganda and an inadequate response by the judiciary to actions that are contrary to the rule of law.

When it comes to migrant integration, the report finds that no integration measures or activities were available to recognised refugees or migrants granted humanitarian status. In 2018, only 13 beneficiaries of international protection received integration support, but not within the national integration mechanism. Support came only through the EU-funded relocation scheme. Thus, the situation of zero integration support for refugees in Bulgaria continues for the fifth consecutive year.

The report covers 16 human rights areas, including collaboration with international and local human rights organisations; independence of the judiciary; respect for private and family life, housing and correspondence; protection from discrimination; right to asylum and international protection; and rights of children in institutions.