The Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria joined the declaration "Against the hatred that divides us" directed against the holding of the "Lukovmarch" in the capital.
"Illegal events such as the so-called “Lukovmarch” should not be allowed. The NGO sector and the institutions can achieve a lot. This is what Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev said at the signing of a declaration "Against the hatred that divides us", directed against the holding of the "Lukovmarch" in the capital.
The adoption of the declaration was initiated by the Organization of Jews in Bulgaria "Shalom", the Federation of Zionists in Bulgaria, the Organization "Friends of Israel in Bulgaria - Negev", the Central Israeli Spiritual Council, the American Jewish Committee. The document was signed by a total of 17 organizations.
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Sofia Ms. Yordanka Fandakova, representatives of the executive branch, diplomats from EU member states, the State of Israel, the USA, the UK and others. On behalf of the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria Desislava Pironeva, Deputy Prosecutor General and Head of the Supreme Administrative Prosecutor's Office also took part.
In his statement, Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev declared that the Prosecutor's Office will make every effort needed together with the other institutions, to prevent the holding of the so-called “Lukovmarch” this year. "We must not allow the hatred to spread in our society like gangrene. Hate has different dimensions and can lead to things we thought were impossible," warned Ivan Geshev.
He regretted that after two consecutive years - 2020 and 2021 - the authorities did not allow the “Lukovmarch” to take place, in 2022 “this march took place, which is a shameful retreat from some good results achieved.” In this regard, the Prosecutor General announced that a meeting of the leadership of the Prosecutor's Office, Sofia Municipality, the Ministry of Interior, SANS and other state institutions will be held early next week to outline specific actions to prevent the illegal event from taking place.
Ivan Geshev expressed regret that the event was not attended by any of the leading politicians, because in recent years our society has witnessed increasing manifestations of hatred and division. The Prosecutor General stressed that the non-admission of the “Lukovmarch” this year has its special significance against the background of the 80th anniversary of the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews.
“I am sure that the institutions will work together this time too, unlike last year, I will invite them on Monday to see each other and each of them will do their job so that we do not allow illegal and shameful acts. Shameful for us as Bulgarians and for Bulgaria in particular” the Prosecutor General said.
In the declaration against the holding of the “Lukovmarch” – “Against the hatred that divides us”, a copy of which was also received by the Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev after he signed it, was stated: “We believe that the Bulgarian society and the capital of Bulgaria are proud with the diversity and differences in them. The common goal should be working together for the sake of the future and development, not reviving the divisions and hatreds of the past. We hope that more and more often the streets of Sofia and every Bulgarian city will be a place to celebrate all the things that unite us and make us stronger and wiser”.