Information on the legal recourse available to male victims of sodomy, and on how the police treat such complainants [BGR20961.E]

Information on the above-mentioned subjects could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, for a copy of article 157 of the penal code, which refers to involuntary homosexual relations, please refer to the attachment. This information may be of interest. Information as to whether article 157 of the 1987 penal code is still in force could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Attachment

Ministry of Justice, Bulgaria. 1987. State Gazette, "Penal Code," Sophia: Ministry of Justice, pp. 37-39.

Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Report. Yearly.

DIRB Country file on Bulgaria.

Human Rights Watch World Report. Yearly.

News from Helsinki Watch [New York]. Monthly.

RFE/RL Research Reports [Munich]. Weekly.

Uncaptive Minds [New York]. Quarterly.

On-line search of media sources.

Oral sources.