While the constitution of Bulgaria provides for freedom of conscience and religion, it also designates the Eastern Orthodox Church as the "traditional" religion and stipulates that "legal status and questions concerning the material support, the right of inner structure and self-government of different religious communities are regulated by law." (Article 53 p.3).
The government of Bulgaria requires that all organizations with a religious element must register with the Council of Ministers. Traditional religious organizations which are registered with the government enjoy considerable latitude. The Orthodox Church and the Muslim and Jewish communities receive government subsidies. Religious properties nationalized by the Communist regime have been returned to their former owners. Most registered groups have been able to hold services and provide private instruction without restriction. A school for imams, an Islamic cultural center, university theological facilities and religious primary schools operate freely. Bibles and religious materials printed in Bulgarian are freely imported and printed. Muslim, Jewish and Catholic publications are published on a regular basis.
The situation for the Muslim and Orthodox communities has been complicated however by divisions. In 1992, the Orthodox Church experienced a schism. In 1996, an alternative patriarch was elected. The Supreme Court ruled this election illegal and the government has refused to regard recognition to this patriarch. A similar situation has occurred in the Muslim community. The government recognizes Neim Gendjev as Chief Mufti and head of the Supreme Theological Council. In 1995, an alternative Islamic Conference elected a rival Chief Mufti. The government has refused to recognize his election and his appeal to the Supreme Court was denied. Many Muslims consider these actions to be government interference in the affairs of the community.
Several non-Orthodox groups have continued to complain of incidences of harassment and discrimination by government authorities. Several organizations, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Word of Life, have been denied registration. In 1996, the government denied all requests for registration as religious organizations.
Several incidents seem to verify the contention that the police monitor the activities of unregistered organizations. In June of 1996, the police shut down a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses at a public dance hall in Asenovgrad. The following month they raided a private hall to close down a meeting of the Word of Life. Missionaries of the Jehovah’s Witnesses have reported an incident of its missionaries being beaten by the police. In December 1995, a women in Asenovgrad was denied custody of her son solely on the basis of her membership in the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Mormon Church has also reported numerous incidents of harassment and assault. In April 1997, Bulgarian officials from the national Investigative Service confiscated religious materials and personal belongings from missionaries entering the country from the US. In May, one of these missionaries was arrested for possession of methamphetamines when he attempted to retrieve his personal belongings which contained a bottle of vitamins. He has been released on bail and is awaiting the disposition of his case.
In August 1996, an elementary school run by "Shalom," an evangelical network with schools in 108 countries, was closed.
The government has refused most requests for visas and residence permits for foreign missionaries. Missionaries have been attacked on the street and in their homes. When these incidents have been reported, the response of the police has been indifferent in spite of professed government concern about such incidents.
The Unification Church has also been harassed. Police routinely enter centers to conduct searches. Policemen have assaulted members, confiscated computers and mailing lists, taken money and threatened families. Because the church has no legal status, it has no legal power to redress these grievances.
The Directorate of Religious Affairs has hired Boncho Asenov, a former security official of the Communist government, who participated in repressive activities against ethnic Turks and religious minorities.
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Bulgaria
Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief Report on Bulgaria
International Christian Concern Report on Bulgaria
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