As families in Sofia’s Zaharna Fabrika district face homelessness following illegal home demolitions, the Roma Foundation for Europe (RFE) has joined national and international voices in condemning what it calls “a systemic failure rooted in neglect, racism, and a lack of political will—at both national and European levels.”
“The Bulgarian government’s actions not only displaced vulnerable families but also violated international legal norms,” said Zeljko Jovanovic, President of the Roma Foundation for Europe. “This sets a deeply troubling precedent—not just for Bulgaria, but for the entire European Union. This is about more than one neighbourhood. It’s about the rule of law, and whether Europe will stand by it.”
A delegation of lawyers, civil society leaders, and Roma representatives gathered in Sofia this week at the invitation of Roma for Democracy, a member of the Roma Foundation for Europe network. The meeting and site visit aimed to document the destruction, hear directly from families affected, and issue a united call for action. The visit followed the demolition of several homes in Zaharna Fabrika on 15 April—carried out in the presence of police and water cannon despite an emergency ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which instructed authorities not to proceed.
The demolitions left around 200 Roma people homeless, including children and elderly residents. Eyewitnesses described traumatic scenes, with families forcibly removed and left without shelter. “Our hearts and souls are broken,” said one resident. “We don’t know what to say to our children who ask where our houses are.”
Radoslav Stoyanov, co-chair of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, who joined the gathering, described the demolition as the most disturbing human rights violation he had witnessed in nearly two decades of work. “This was done deliberately so that residents could not seek justice through the courts,” he said, noting that demolition orders were never formally delivered, thereby preventing residents from appealing.
Across Europe, housing insecurity continues to disproportionately affect Roma. According to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA):
- 61% of Roma live in overcrowded dwellings, compared to 17% of the general population;
- 43% of Roma lack access to indoor sanitation, versus 12% of non-Roma;
- In Bulgaria, over 80% of Roma live in informal or unregistered housing, making them especially vulnerable to eviction.
“Housing insecurity is not a side issue. It is the cornerstone of economic exclusion,” said Jovanovic. “You cannot build a business, register for school, or open a bank account without a legal address. These demolitions don’t just destroy homes—they cut people off from opportunity and erase futures.”
The Roma Foundation for Europe and its partners are calling on Bulgarian authorities to:
- Halt all further demolitions in Zaharna Fabrika and other Roma settlements;
- Provide immediate shelter and long-term housing solutions for affected families;
- Fully comply with the ECHR’s interim measures;
- Undertake systemic reforms to ensure housing security for all.
To help meet the immediate needs of those affected, the Roma Foundation for Europe has made a one-time commitment of up to €15,000 in humanitarian support for displaced families in Zaharna Fabrika.
“Secure housing is not a privilege. It is a legal right—and a prerequisite for economic resilience and democratic participation,” said Jovanovic. The destruction in Zaharna Fabrika is not just a local crisis. It is a test of Europe’s commitment to the rule of law and equal rights.”
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