Bulgarian Teachers Blacklisted: Fascist-Style Threats Over Anti-LGBTQ+ Propaganda Law (PHOTO)

Manol Peykov, a publisher and MP from "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB), recently shared a screenshot on Facebook showing a publication from "Revival - Varna." The post by the local organization of the "Revival" right-wing party contained threats and hate speech directed at teachers who signed a petition opposing recent amendments to the law banning "LGBTQ+ propaganda in schools." Although the original post by "Revival - Varna" has since been deleted, it reportedly listed 26 teachers, urging parents to pressure school directors to ensure these educators would not engage in "illegal propaganda" against the children of Varna.

The teachers' petition, initiated by Boris Iliev from the National Science and Mathematics High School "Acad. Lyubomir Chakalov," argued that schools should not be venues for propaganda. The signatories expressed concerns that the new amendments to the basic education law were vaguely defined and could lead to confusion and tension in schools. They emphasized that the changes contradict the spirit of fostering critical thinking and free discussion in the classroom, potentially leading to discrimination and uncertainty in education.

Despite calls for President Radev to veto the changes, including appeals from the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, as well as from NGOs and activists who collected over 7,000 signatures, the president did not intervene. The UN has also expressed "deep concern" over the amendments, urging a review of the law to ensure compliance with Bulgaria's international human rights obligations. Additionally, the European Commission has requested clarifications from Bulgaria regarding the adoption of these controversial...