The Bulgarian government has taken this week new steps for tightening the measures against terrorism via proposals for changes in the law on IDs, as those are motivated by the latest challenges and the persistent international appeals for uncompromised fight with the phenomenon. A decree of the chair of the State Agency for National Security /SANS/ will be now the new reason for banning cross-border voyages and not the one of the interior minister, the way it used to be. The transfer of this responsibility suggests that the measure will be taken only in cases of a threat to the national security, proven by the special services without the necessity of a political sanction. The project envisages only the real existence of data on a possible participation of the suspects in a terrorist act abroad or in a terrorist training. The national legislation envisaged so far mainly sanctions for terrorist actions and related activities on this country’s territory, for instance: the creation, heading of and participation in terrorist groups; preparations of terrorist acts; the incitement to any and the funding of terrorism. Actually the cabinet now also aims at the restriction of possibilities for export of terrorism, which strengthens this country’s engagement to the global fight with the phenomenon. In case of such suspicions SANS will also be able to ban the issuing of visas and the prolonging of foreigners’ stay in Bulgaria, providing the Schengen Information System with the respective reasons. Some might say that the new anti-terrorist measures envisaged are too harsh and restricting the freedom of movement, but those fully comply with the UN appeals and recommendations in the sphere. The measures could be even tougher in case a recent SANS proposal for the incrimination of radical Islam itself had been adopted. However, the matter is too sensitive and delicate to be solved at once and the government is aware of that.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev