Author
Overall living conditions
In previous years, the detention centres were frequently overcrowded due to the increased number of new arrivals. The overall number of persons in detention gradually decrease from 119 persons at the end of 2019, to 387 out of 18,554 detainees at the end of 2023, to 204 out of 3,417 detainees at the end of 2025 in total placed in both national detention centres throughout the year.[1]
Overall conditions with respect to means to maintain personal hygiene as well as general level of cleanliness remain unsatisfactory. In 2017, it was reported that the number of showers and toilets available was not sufficient to meet the needs of the detained population, especially when premises are overcrowded.[2] Detainees are allowed to clean the premises themselves. However, they are not provided with means or detergents, which they have to buy at their own expenses. Clothing is provided only if supplied by NGOs. Bed linen is not washed on a regular basis, but usually once a month. In 2021, the report of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture established[3] ongoing efforts to improve conditions in the detention centers, including trough activities funded under the emergency AMIF assistance mechanism. The report found that the bed bug problem was limited to a tolerable level, all existing problems related to the heating systems solved and a so-called “preliminary filter” applied with respect to every new detainee, including the opportunity to take a shower, provision of clean and disinfected clothes, with personal clothes washed at high temperature and a possibility to freeze the personal luggage of the newcomers for 24 hours for the purpose of sanitizing.
However, in 2022 the Ombudsperson[4] reported that: “In the course of the inspection, it was established that from 2020 health inspectors have not visited the centres to check and control the sanitary conditions despite a previous Ombudsperson’s recommendations. Presently, detainees with chronic skin problems, such as scabies and pyoderma were established once again, along bed bug bites, and travel injuries with secondary infections.” In addition, the report noted the “unsuccessful struggle of the detention administrations” with pests, such as woodworms, cockroaches and fleas. Also in 2022, the Ombudsperson[5] reported that many of the detainees in Busmantsi detention centres expressed complaints regarding the food, and others that they are asked to pay for the medicines they need with their own funds. In its 2024 report[6], the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (ECPT) found material conditions to be extremely poor, with virtually all detainee accommodation areas being overcrowded, dilapidated, dirty and infested with bedbugs, and with premises very prison-like and particularly poorly adapted for the accommodation of women, families and minors. Furthermore, the report also indicated persistent serious problems with the provision of appropriate clothing, including shoes for minors, personal hygiene items and especially towels and cleaning products.
In 2024 report[7] with regard to health-care services at both detention centres in Busmantsi and Lyubimets, ECPT found the only positive aspects to have been the 24/7 health-care staff coverage and an improved in comparison with 2018, access to outside consultations, including dental care and hospitalisations. However, the report found all other aspects of health-care provision unsatisfactory with medical screening on arrival perfunctory at best, and frequently factually inaccurate, with virtually all screening forms containing absolutely identical data on pulse, blood pressure and temperature. Medical records were also found to be extremely poor with confidentiality not respected as medical data had been made available to non-medical staff. Equipment of health-care units was also assessed as very basic, no oxygen available, broken ultrasound machines, ECG and defibrillators kept uncharged, with overall meagre medication stocks. Like in 2018, ECPT found that detained migrants had a very poor access to psychiatric care, limited to emergencies. Although both detention centers employed a psychologist, their task was to assist the case officers and administration with psychological testing and risk assessments, thus primarily supporting the detention staff, and offering some psychological support including crisis interventions to detained migrants, only if there was any spare time. In addition, the lack of interpretation between detained migrants and doctors, feldshers, nurses and psychologists limited severely the possibilities to provide any proper medical or psychological assistance.
Nutrition is poor, no special diets are provided to children or pregnant women. Health care is a major issue as not all detention centres have medical staff appointed on a daily basis. A nurse and/or a doctor visits detention centres on a weekly basis, but the language barrier and lack of proper medication make these visits almost a formality and without any practical use for the detainees. The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture 2021 report established[8] that: “Varied food is delivered daily on site, in compliance with the requirements of a healthy diet, including meat and dairy products with a reduced content of fat and salt. Fresh fruits and vegetables are delivered daily. The food is packaged in portions in single-use boxes, with the corresponding.” In 2022 the Ombudsperson[9] reported that cutlery is placed in isothermal containers, ensuring the preservation of the original temperature and that if there is a medical prescription, diet food is provided.”[10]
Similar to Busmantsi, communal toilets in Lyubimets were reported to be locked and inaccessible at night. Toilets and showers for women and families with children, though freely accessible, have been found to be dilapidated, dirty and flooded. The collective showers for men, recently refurbished and located in the basement, were accessible in groups twice a day. In its 2024 report[11], ECPT found that, unlike in 2018, detainees at the Lyubimets detention center had access to the toilet at night; however, such access was still extremely limited or even inexistent in Busmantsi, which is totally unacceptable. At Busmantsi, ECPT also noted that female detainees were obliged to share the same communal toilets and showers with the men, while toilet doors could not be locked, and shower cabins had no doors.
Access to open-air spaces is provided twice a day for a period of one hour each, the spaces in all detention centres are of adequate size. Children in detention centres are using the common outdoor recreational facilities, but not many possibilities for physical exercise exist except the usual ball sports. Reading and leisure materials are provided only if supplied by donations. Computer / internet access is not available in any of the detention centres.[12] In its 2024 report[13], ECPT found that similar to its previous 2018 report, detained migrants had nothing or almost nothing to occupy their time. There were no organised activities, apart from very limited access to table tennis, occasional access to a gym, television unless the TV sets were broken and some books in Lyubimets detention centre; however, none of these was available in Busmantsi detention centre. ECPT found this this of particular concern with respect to the minors, for whom there were hardly any toys and no educational activities. In Busmantsi detention centre, unlike in Lyubimets, detained migrants had no guaranteed access to daily outdoor exercise; such only provided for 25 to 30 minutes at a time, with asylum seekers detained at SAR closed ward with no outdoor exercise on weekends and public holidays, due to the shortage of available SAR staff. ECPT indicated that latter as “a truly deplorable state of affairs.”
Staff interpreters are not required by law, nor provided in practice. In 2021, as in previous years, detainees have complained about the lack of tailored and translated information and uncertainty on their situation.[14] This has led to risks of re-traumatisation for persons with vulnerabilities.[15] In 2022, the Ombudsperson[16] reported that no staff translators were assigned in both national detention centres, but some of the employees working there were enrolled in language courses in order to have better communication with the residents, and if necessary the services of contracted translators were used. Similar findings were stated in UN CAT Subcommittee report from its 2021 visit.[17] In its 2024 report[18], ECPT found that at both detention centres, as well as the SAR closed ward in Busmantsi, access to interpretation had remained inadequate and as a rule, limited to interpretation during interviews by immigration case workers. No interpretation is available in daily life situations including medical and psychological consultations, which had an obvious negative impact on the quality of care.
Verbal abuse and rude behaviour by staff is reported often by the detainees; such indicated as well in ECPT 2024 report[19]. Inter-detainee violence is also acknowledged to occur sometimes with measures taken to prevent the reoccurrence of such conflicts, but mainly by separating adult men from Afghanistan and those from Arabic speaking countries.[20]
Vulnerable groups in detention
There are no mechanisms established to identify vulnerable persons in detention centres. Although the law[21] provides that authorities should conduct an assessment whether an individual belongs to a vulnerable group before issuing detention orders, such as detention, such assessment is not carried out in practice.[22] The lack of mechanisms for identification and support of vulnerable asylum seekers was also indicated by the European Commission a letter of formal notice from 8 November 2018.[23] According to the last research on the topic made by the Assistance Centre for Torture Survivors (ACET), mental health professionals in Busmantsi have observed that persons who are socially inhibited or depressed are not being identified by the police as persons in need of assistance as far as they do not cause problems.[24] If identified, there are no provisions in the law for vulnerable persons’ release on that account, unless before the court.
Article 45e(3) LAR envisages that vulnerable groups shall be provided with appropriate assistance depending on their special situation. Separate wings are provided for families, single women and unaccompanied children, in line with the law.[25] Single men are separated from single women. Other vulnerable persons are detained together with all other detainees. The LAR provides for access to education and leisure activities for children in closed asylum facilities,[26] but there is no relevant practice yet, as accompanied children have not been placed in closed reception centres in 2025.
[1] MOI statistics, December 2024, available in Bulgarian at: https://bit.ly/48C57wC.
[2] CERD, Concluding observations on the combined twentieth to twenty-second periodic reports to Bulgaria, CERD/C/BGR/CO/20-22, 31 May 2017, available at: http://bit.ly/2wSzIpq, para 21(e); Centre for Legal Aid – Voice in Bulgaria, Who Gets Detained, September 2016, 25.
[3] UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Comments of Bulgaria on the recommendations and observations addressed to it in connection with the Subcommittee visit undertaken from 24 to 30 October 2021, published on 25 October 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3uMsZ2T.
[4] Ombudsperson of the Republic of Bulgaria, Доклад на Националния превантивен механизъм за извършени проверки в структури на Дирекция „Миграция“ към Министерство на вътрешните работи и Държавна агенция за бежанците към Министерски съвет, published in September 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3IeBgzJ.
[5] Ombudsperson of the Republic of Bulgaria, Доклад на Националния превантивен механизъм за извършени проверки в структури на Дирекция „Миграция“ към Министерство на вътрешните работи и Държавна агенция за бежанците към Министерски съвет, published in September 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3IeBgzJ.
[6] European Committee for Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ad Hoc Visit Report, Bulgaria 16 – 23 September 2024, published on 6 August 2025, paragraph 38, available here.
[7] European Committee for Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ad Hoc Visit Report, Bulgaria 16 – 23 September 2024, published on 6 August 2025, paragraph 38, available here.
[8] UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Comments of Bulgaria on the recommendations and observations addressed to it in connection with the Subcommittee visit undertaken from 24 to 30 October 2021, published on 25 October 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3uMsZ2T.
[9] Ombudsperson of the Republic of Bulgaria, Доклад на Националния превантивен механизъм за извършени проверки в структури на Дирекция „Миграция“ към Министерство на вътрешните работи и Държавна агенция за бежанците към Министерски съвет, published in September 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3IeBgzJ.
[10] Ibid, § 100-102.
[11] European Committee for Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ad Hoc Visit Report, Bulgaria 16 – 23 September 2024, published on 6 August 2025, paragraph 38, available here.
[12] Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, based on organization’s regular observations from its weekly detention monitoring, implemented in Busmantsi detention centre since 2006 and since 2011 in Lyubimets detention centre.
[13] European Committee for Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ad Hoc Visit Report, Bulgaria 16 – 23 September 2024, published on 6 August 2025, paragraph 38, available here.
[14] CPT, 2019 Bulgaria report, July 2019, available at: https://rm.coe.int/1680966286; Centre for Legal Aid – Voice in Bulgaria, Who Gets Detained?, September 2016, 25.
[15] CPT, 2019 Bulgaria report, July 2019, available at: https://rm.coe.int/1680966286; Cordelia Foundation et al., From Torture to Detention, January 2016, 19.
[16] Ombudsperson of the Republic of Bulgaria, Доклад на Националния превантивен механизъм за извършени проверки в структури на Дирекция „Миграция“ към Министерство на вътрешните работи и Държавна агенция за бежанците към Министерски съвет, published in September 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3IeBgzJ.
[17] UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Comments of Bulgaria on the recommendations and observations addressed to it in connection with the Subcommittee visit undertaken from 24 to 30 October 2021, published on 25 October 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3uMsZ2T, § 107.
[18] European Committee for Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ad Hoc Visit Report, Bulgaria 16 – 23 September 2024, published on 6 August 2025, paragraph 38, available here.
[19] UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Comments of Bulgaria on the recommendations and observations addressed to it in connection with the Subcommittee visit undertaken from 24 to 30 October 2021, published on 25 October 2022, available at: https://bit.ly/3uMsZ2T.
[20] European Committee for Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Ad Hoc Visit Report, Bulgaria 16 – 23 September 2024, published on 6 August 2025, paragraph 38, available here.
[21] Article 44(2) LARB.
[22] Migrant Life, Позиция на Център за правна помощ – Глас в България и Фондация за достъп до права ФАР относно смъртен случай в СДВНЧ – София, в. „Бусманци“, published on 31 June 2021, available in Bulgarian at: https://bit.ly/42WknTS.
[23] European Commission, ‘November infringements package: key decisions’, MEMO/18/6247, 8 November 2018, available at: https://bit.ly/2RETZfR.
[24] Cordelia Foundation et al., From Torture to Detention, January 2016, 18.
[25] Article 45f(4) LAR.
[26] Article 45f(2) LAR.