The Protector of Citizens Zoran Pasalic stated today that in the Republic of Serbia, so far, there have been no major irregularities in exercising the right of the Bulgarian national minority to the official use of language and script, nor to the registration of a personal name in the Bulgarian language.
"In previous years, the Protector of Citizens was addressed by members of almost all national minorities who have their language introduced into official use, except for members of the Bulgarian national minority, and that was a signal to check whether these rights are exercised in accordance with the law", Pasalic said in Bosilegrad at the presentation of the Special Report of the Protector of Citizens on the official use of the Bulgarian language and script.
Pasalic stated that data were collected from the field, the practice of the competent municipal services was checked and talks were held with representatives of the National Council of the Bulgarian National Minority and employees in the municipalities in order to prevent possible problems in this area.
"The research does not indicate major irregularities in connection with the exercise of the right to the official use of the Bulgarian language and script, as well as when it comes to the registration of a personal name in the Bulgarian language and script. The Protector of Citizens will continue to pay special attention to the exercise of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities", said Pasalic during the presentation of the report prepared with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.
The right to the official use of language and script is one of the most important rights for members of national minorities and is guaranteed by international and national legal acts, Pasalic reminded.