Eviction threats of Roma in Bulgaria continues unabated

19 July 2006

On July 19, 2006, international human rights organisations, the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) and the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), appeal to stop the planned eviction of Roma in Dobri Jelyazkov Sofia, in a letter addressed to the President and Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

On 12 July 2006, the district government sent letters to sixteen Roma families living on Dobri Jelyazkov street, Sofia, requiring them to leave their homes within 10 days or the municipality would issue an order for their summary eviction, despite the fact that the communities have lived on this land for several generations. In the absence of reasonable justification, adequate notice, consultation with the affected families, compensation and any provisions for alternative housing and social support for the families, such an eviction would amount to a gross violation of Bulgaria's obligations under international human rights law.

Full text of the letter: