The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights is "deeply troubled" by the law passed last week in the Bulgarian parliament against LGBT+ "propaganda" in schools and called on President Rumen Radev not to sign it.

"I am deeply concerned about the recent law banning LGBT+ 'propaganda' in schools," wrote Michael O'Flaherty on social network H.

"I call on President Radev not to sign it." "The authorities must tackle discrimination and hostile rhetoric against LGBT+ people, including in the run-up to the election," added O'Flaherty.

The "Together Against Violence" coalition collected signatures from 73 non-governmental organizations and over 6.000 citizens against the Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Preschool and School Education (ZPAO), adopted on August 7.

The amendments adopted by the deputies prohibit propaganda, popularization or incitement in any way - directly or indirectly, in the educational system of ideas and attitudes related to "non-traditional sexual orientation and/or determination of gender identity other than biological".

According to the "Together Against Violence" Coalition, the adopted law is not legally enforceable and contradicts the Law on Protection from Discrimination and the European Convention on Human Rights. In its position, the Coalition points out that in the plenary hall elected representatives used hate speech and completely discriminatory statements that tend to undermine the foundations of democracy and the rule of law. Some could be sanctioned for this speech under the Anti-Discrimination Act and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The head of the Bulgarian state has not yet signed the decree for the publication of the law in the State Gazette, and the deadline for this is 15 days from the day of the adoption of the law. He could exercise the right of veto, ie. to return the law to the National Assembly for a new debate.

The Bulgarian parliament has banned the promotion of non-traditional sexual orientation in schools