Refugees

Refugees

    Bulgaria has signed the International Convention on the Status of Refugees at the UN. With this Convention, it undertakes to admit to its territory people who wish to apply for such status. According to the Law on Asylum and Refugees, which provides protection to foreigners in Bulgaria, Bulgaria does not have the right to return people if they have applied for protection or have already received it, provided that their life, freedom or privacy is endangered. If these people are a threat or if one of them is convicted of a serious crime, this law does not apply. Refugees are foreigners who fear persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or affiliation with a particular social group. They are located outside their country and cannot or do not want to enjoy its protection. In order to be granted refugee status, the chairman of the State Refugee Agency must grant him this status. Once given, it is automatically transferred to the alien's family members. Refugee people have equal rights with ordinary people, except to participate in elections, to create and to party; to occupy positions for which they must have Bulgarian citizenship; to be servicemen. Refugee status has the right to seek reunification with his family on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Again, the chairman of the State Agency for Refugees gives his permission for this. Persons with refugee status are entitled to an identity document and a certificate for traveling abroad. This means, of course, that they can be tried like all Bulgarian citizens.