COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker
Keep Civic Space Healthy
This tracker monitors government responses to the pandemic that affect civic freedoms and human rights, focusing on emergency laws. For information about our methodology, click here.
For more information and analysis by region, click here.
The COVID-19 Civic Freedom Tracker is a collaborative effort by the ICNL, ECNL, and our global network of partners, with generous research support from the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin. This is an ongoing effort, and we welcome you to email us at adeblock@icnl.org and simona@ecnl.org to share additional resources.
Law on Measures and Actions in the State of Emergency
The law among other things prohibits non-essential travel within and outside the country, in order to combat the spread of coronavirus. The law also provides that if individuals violate their quarantine, their mobile phone data may be subject to surveillance. As originally proposed, the law included criminal sanctions for spreading false information about contagious diseases, however this provision was removed before the law's adoption.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 23 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Emergency, Surveillance, Privacy, Movement
Type: law
Penal Code Amendments
The law amends Article 255 of Bulgaria's Penal Code to significantly increase the penalty for violating quarantine regulations or other orders related to preventing the spread of contagious disease - from a 300 BGN fine (150 EUR) to three years in prison. If the violation is committed during an epidemic, the amendments increase the penalty from one year to up to five years in prison and a 50,000 BGN fine (25,000 EUR).
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 14 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Movement
Type: law
State of Emergency
The parliamentary decision declares a "state of emergency" for one month, on account of the coronavirus.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 13 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Emergency
Type: law
Order â„– RD-01-611 of 22.10.2020 for Introduction of Anti-Epidemic Measures on the Territory of the Republic of Bulgaria
The order introduces various restrictions related to gatherings, events and recreational activities. According to the order, public events should generally be held remotely. For events that cannot be held online, the total number of participants should not exceed 50% of the venue's total capacity and participants shall exercise physical distancing. The same applies to cultural and entertainment events, regardless of whether they are organized indoors or outdoors. Sports trainings must be held without an audience, and competitions are subject to the similar restrictions as other types of events.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 22 Oct 2020
Issue(s): Assembly
Type: order
Order of the Minister of Healthcare
The order prohibits persons under 60 from visiting shops or pharmacies between 8:30am and 10:30am. Visits to parks and playgrounds are prohibited, except for walking dogs. The order also limits travel, and allows the government to check the purposes of individuals' travel at established check points.
(See primary source or citation here)Introduced 20 Mar 2020
Issue(s): Movement
Type: order