After working for two years in virtual and hybrid settings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) resumed its on-site assessment visits on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, conducting a comprehensive visit to the Republic of Bulgaria from 4 to 9 April 2022.
The visiting delegation consisted of CTED experts, as well as experts from the following United Nations bodies and international organizations: the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT); the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL); the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol); the International Organization for Migration (IOM); the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE); and the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL).
The visit enabled the delegation to assess progress made by Bulgaria in adopting measures to implement Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and other relevant Security Council resolutions. Country visits are one of the key channels of the Counter Terrorism Committee to engage and conduct a constructive dialogue with Member States with a view to achieving effective implementation of the relevant Security Council counter-terrorism resolutions.
The human rights aspects of Bulgaria’s counter-terrorism measures and the role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism were also raised during the discussions.
The delegation also held separate meetings with the Human Rights Ombudsman, the Commission for Protection against Discrimination, and representatives of civil society.
The delegation was led by Mr. Ahmed Seif El-Dawla, CTED Chief of Section for Europe, Middle East and Central Asia, who commended Bulgaria for its continued cooperation and for facilitating a constructive, in-depth dialogue between the visiting experts and their Bulgarian counterparts.