On 20.01.2016, Gender Alternatives Foundation prepared official letters to the Council of Ministers,
Ministry of Justice, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Commission for Protection against Discrimination and the Ombudsman presenting its opinion on the legal amendments needed within the legislation related to gender based violence.
At the moment, the Protection against Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Code do not protect adequately the rights and interests of women victims of gender based violence which is in contradiction with the CEDAW, the ECHR, the EU law and the Istanbul Convention.
In its opinion, the GAF suggests concrete amendments to be initiated in the PDVA and the Criminal Code. The suggested amendments are prepared together with the Regional Court in Plovdiv and the Police directorate in Plovdiv.
The GAF team insists on the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the Government of Bulgaria.