During the coronavirus pandemic, there has been an increase in domestic violence in all EU countries, especially against women, Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Desislava Ahladova said in an interview for BNR's Horizont channel.

 Data of a national survey indicates that domestic violence accounts for three-quarters of all cases of violence. According to 56% of citizens, this is the worst situation they have experienced. That is why, draft amendments to the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act have been submitted to Bulgaria’s National Assembly. Minister Ahladova voiced hopes that the amendments would be voted in Parliament soon. The Istanbul Convention is a closed issue for Bulgaria. However, all recommendations by the European Commission and various control and monitoring mechanisms under the UN Convention in the field remain, Minister Ahladova added.