Suspected violation of human rights through the use of state institutions as a tool for exerting pressure

Priority question for written answer P-001548/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew)

Reports have recently emerged of biased checks being conducted by state bodies in Bulgaria - such as the Ministry of the Interior (General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (GDBOP)), the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK), the Public Finances Inspection Agency (ADFI) and the National Revenue Agency (NAP) - in municipalities run by representatives of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) political party, and in the homes and among the families of its members and workers, which raises concerns over the abuse of power and the use of state institutions as a tool for exerting pressure in the run-up to the early parliamentary elections.

• 1.Is the Commission aware, in the context of its annual monitoring of the state of the rule of law, of this sudden increase in targeted action by the state authorities against the representatives of a particular party?
• 2.What steps will the Commission take to put an immediate stop to such activities, which clearly violate the fundamental principles of the rule of law and undermine democracy in Bulgaria?
• 3.Will the Commission ask Bulgaria for clarifications on what is happening and on the use of the state institutions as a political tool for the purpose of repression?

Submitted: 26.8.2024