February 22 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria is still not providing the necessary services and access to proper procedures for refugees arriving in the country, human rights-focused non-governmental organisation Amnesty International said.
"The number of refugees and migrants entering Bulgaria declined, but reports of frequent pushbacks, excessive use of force and theft by border police continued," the organisation said in the 2017/2018 edition of its report The State of the World’s Human Rights.
Although Bulgaria committed to accept 1,302 asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy under the EU emergency relocation scheme,
it had only resettled 50 people from Greece by the end of 2017.
A pattern of threats, political pressure and attacks against journalists continued as significant portion of the media remained under the tight control of political parties and local oligarchs, the report noted.
A climate of xenophobia and intolerance sharply intensified, according to the report. Roma continued to be at risk of pervasive discrimination. The country's authorities continued the practice of forced evictions without the provision of adequate alternative housing, leaving many families homeless.