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US State Department defines Bulgaria as country with high corruption and endangered human rights

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In its annual report on human rights for 2021, the US Department of State reports that Bulgaria has significant human rights problems. The report also highlights serious problems with judicial independence, corruption, intolerance and restrictions on free expression, including threats of violence against journalists and corporate and political pressure on the media. 

The part of the report concerning Bulgaria was published by the US Embassy in Sofia. The document expresses concern about the "lack of judicial control against a prosecutor's decision not to initiate an investigation" and the influence of the prosecution on the Supreme Judicial Council and magistrates. 

The US State Department does not omit the data on illegal wiretapping and surveillance in Bulgaria, referring to the conclusion of the special commission in the National Assembly for over 900 people, including politicians, magistrates and journalists, monitored during the anti-government protests in 2020 . The investigation into police violence against protesters pulled by police under the columns of the Council of Ministers was also mentioned.

The document also cites a statement from May last year of former BNR director general Andon Baltakov that the law favours political interference in media management through controlled funding, as an example of how independent media have been pressured at all levels.

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