Election of judges to the European Court of Human Rights
List and curricula vitae of candidates submitted by the Government of Bulgaria
Communication
| Doc. 15867 rev
| 10 January 2024
- Author(s):
- Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- The
list of candidates was submitted by the Bulgarian Government on
the basis of the Bulgarian alphabatical order. At its meeting on
8-9 January 2024, the Committee instructed the Secretary General
of the Parliamentary Assembly to revise the document in order to
present the list of candidates following the Latin script, so as
to avoid any confusion during the vote. 2024 - First part-session
1 List
and curricula vitae of candidates submitted by the Government of
the Republic of Bulgaria
Letter from Ms Maria Spassova,
Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Council of Europe, to Ms Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis,
Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly, dated 27 October
2023
[…]
Pursuant to the Decision No. 468 of the Council of Minister
of the Republic of Bulgaria, the nominated candidates of the Republic
of Bulgaria are listed in alphabetical order according to the Bulgarian
alphabet, as follows:
- Ms Galya
Goranova Valkova
- Ms Diana Petrova Kovacheva
- Mr Dragomir Nikolov Yordanov
2 Information
on national selection procedure for the position of a judge of the
European Court of Human Rights
2.1 Introduction
By a letter dated 16 September 2022 from Sir Paul Mahoney,
Chair of the Advisory Panel of Experts on Candidates for Election
as Judge to the European Court of Human Rights, Bulgaria was informed
that the term of office of the Bulgarian judge Yonko Grozev would
expire on 12 April 2024 and it was requested to submit a list of
three candidates for election as judge, their professional curricula
vitae and information on the procedure followed for their election.
2.2 Preliminary
issues
The Ministry of Justice took timely action to conduct a selection
procedure for candidates for a new Bulgarian judge in the European
Court of Human Rights. On 21 December 2022, the Ministry's official
website published a call for public consultations on a draft order
of the Minister of Justice laying down the criteria to be met by candidates
for appointment as a judge in the European Court of Human Rights
and the regulation of the selection procedure. After refining the
texts in the frameworks of the public consultations, the Minister
of Justice issued Order No. JIC-04-17/20 January 2023. A Selection
Committee was also set up. A public interview with the candidates
was held on 3 April 2023. At the meeting held on the same day, the
Committee concluded that at that time there were no three candidates
who met the criteria of Order No. JIC-04-17/20 January 2023 of the Minister
of Justice and the criteria adopted by the Committee. The Committee
therefore unanimously decided not to carry out a ranking and accordingly
not to draw up a list of three ranked candidates. For this reason,
the first selection procedure for candidates of the Republic of
Bulgaria for a judge in the European Court of Human Rights, held
pursuant to Order No JIC-04-17/20 January 2023 of the Minister of
Justice, was terminated.
2.3 Selection
procedure
2.3.1 Publication
of an selection procedure notice
On 20 April 2023, the Ministry of Justice re-launched a selection
procedure for candidates for a new Bulgarian judge in the European
Court of Human Rights by Order No. JIC-04- 139/20 April 2023 of
the Minister of Justice (hereinafter also referred to as the 'Order').
The selection procedure notice, as well as a copy of the order with the
appendices thereto, were published on the website of the Ministry
of Justice, the Supreme Judicial Council, the Supreme Court of Cassation,
the Supreme Administrative Court, the National Institute of Justice,
the Supreme Bar Council, the Union of Bulgarian Jurists and in the
newspaper 24 Chasa – a national daily newspaper (according to item
4 of the order).
2.3.2 Submission
of an application and documents required for participation in the
selection procedure
The deadline for submitting an application and the necessary
documents for participation in the selection was 29 May 2023.
The following thirteen applications were received in the Ministry
of Justice within the deadline set, in alphabetical order (according
to the Bulgarian alphabet, with the first name being the leading
one):
- Mr Viktor Yosifov Soloveichik
- Ms Galya Goranova Valkova
- Ms Diana Petrova Kovacheva
- Mr Dragomir Nikolov Yordanov
- Ms Ekaterina Nikolaeva Georgieva
- Mr Ivan Petkov Boev
- Ms Iskra Todorova Alexandrova
- Ms Katerina Borislavova Yocheva
- Ms Krasimira Neofitova Milachkova
- Ms Maria Hristova Popova
- Ms Milena Vladimirova Kadieva
- Mr Plamen Evgeniev Borisov
- Ms Tatyana Emilova Bachvarova
2.3.3 Admission
on the basis of the documents of the applicants who meet the criteria
referred to in item 1 of Order No JIC-04-139/20 April 2023
2.3.3.1 Selection
Committee (the 'Committee')
Pursuant to item 6 of the order, the Selection Committee shall
be composed of an odd number of members – experts in public international
law and in European law, including human rights law, experts in
English and experts in French. The Committee shall be composed of
at least two judges, a habilitated lecturer in legal sciences, an
expert from the Human Rights Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, a lawyer, a representative of a non-profit legal entity
active in the field of human rights, and a university lecturer in
each of English and French philology. Members of the Committee must
have sufficient proficiency in English and French. The Minister
of Justice appoints the personnel composition of the Committee,
comprising at least seven core members, including its Chairperson,
and an equal number of reserve members.
In this regard, in response to letters sent by the Minister
of Justice, the relevant institutions and non-governmental organisations
appointed their representatives and Order No. JIC-13- 78/29 May
2023 was issued to determine the composition of the Committee for
the selection of the candidates of the Republic of Bulgaria for
a judge in the European Court of Human Rights, as follows:
Chairperson:
- Prof. Dr.
Plamen Panayotov – Professor, Department of Criminal Law at the
Faculty of Law, Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski'
Core members:
1 Ms Iliana
Papazova-Markova – Judge of the Civil College of the Supreme Court
of Cassation;
2 Ms Lyubka Petrova – Judge at the Third Division of the
Supreme Administrative Court;
3 Assoc. Prof. Simeon Groysman – Habilitated Lecturer, Department
of Theory and History of State and Law at the Faculty of Law of
Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski';
4 Mr Angel Bandzhov- Director of the Human Rights Directorate
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
5 Attorney-at-law Alexander Kashamov – member of the Supreme
Bar Council;
6 Mr Stanislav Kostov – Chair of the Management Board of
the Bulgarian Lawyers for Human Rights Foundation;
7 Chief Asst. Dr. Ilina Amer – Habilitated Lecturer in English
Philology in the Faculty of Classical and New Philologies of Sofia
University 'St. Kliment Ohridski ';
8 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhana Toncheva – Habilitated Lecturer
in French Philology in the Faculty of Classical and New Philologies
of Sofia University 'St. Kliment Ohridski'.
Reserve members:
1 Ms Galina
Toneva-Dacheva – Judge in the Criminal College of the Supreme Court
of Cassation;
2 Ms Anna Dimitrova – Judge in the Fifth Division of the
Supreme Administrative Court;
3 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hristo Hristev – Habilitated Lecturer,
Department of International Law and International Relations at the
Faculty of Law of Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’;
4 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zdravka Krasteva – Habilitated Lecturer,
Department of Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law, Sofia University
‘St. Kliment Ohridski’;
5 Ms Yordanka Parparova – Senior Diplomatic Officer II rank
in the Human Rights Directorate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
6 Attorney-at-law Nina Sedefova – Member of the Supreme
Bar Council;
7 Mr Nikolay Runevski – Member of the Management Board of
the Bulgarian Lawyers for Human Rights Foundation;
8 Chief Asst. Penka Hristova – Habilitated Lecturer in English
Philology in the Faculty of Classical and New Philologies of Sofia
University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’;
9 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Margarita Ruski-Vandova – Habilitated
Lecturer in French Philology in the Faculty of Classical and New
Philologies of Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’.
2.3.3.2 Session
for the admission on the basis of the documents of the candidates
who meet the criteria referred to in item 1 of Order No. JIC-04-139/20
April 2023.
On 1 June 2023, the first session of the Selection Committee
was held for the admission, on a document basis, of the candidates
meeting the criteria set out in item 1 of the order.
With regard to the applications received, the Chairperson,
Prof. Dr. Plamen Panayotov and Mr Alexander Kashamov, announced
that they participated in the Consultative Council on Constitutional
Affairs under the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms Diana
Kovacheva, who was a candidate in the procedure in her personal
capacity. In this regard, the Committee discussed whether there
was a conflict of interests and unanimously resolved that there
was no conflict of interest. However, in order to leave no doubt
about the impartial discussion and decision-making of the Committee
regarding the candidate Diana Petrova Kovacheva in these cases the
Committee resolved that Prof. Dr. Plamen Panayotov and Mr Alexander
Kashamov will be replaced by backup members of the Committee.
By minutes of the same date, the Committee announced its resolution
to admit on a document basis to participation in the selection procedure
in accordance with item 7, letter (a) of the order the following
persons, listed in alphabetical order (according to the Bulgarian
alphabet, the first name being the leading one):
- Mr Viktor Yosifov Soloveichik
- Ms Galya Goranova Valkova
- Ms Diana Petrova Kovacheva
- Mr Dragomir Nikolov Yordanov
- Ms Ekaterina Nikolaeva Georgieva
- Mr Ivan Petkov Boev
- Ms Iskra Todorova Alexandrova
- Ms Katerina Borislavova Yocheva
- Ms Krasimira Neofitova Milachkova
- Ms Maria Hristova Popova
- Ms Milena Vladimirova Kadieva
- Mr Plamen Evgeniev Borisov
- Ms Tatyana Emilova Bachvarova.
After verification of the documents submitted by the candidates
under item 2, letter (d) of the order, certifying the respective
degree of proficiency in English and French in accordance with the
requirements laid down in item 1, letter (f) of the order, the Committee
exempted Mr Viktor Yosifov Soloveichik, Mrs Diana Petrova Kovacheva
and Mr Dragomir Nikolov Yordanov from the written language test
and scheduled a date for the written test in English and French
for the candidates who had not certified the required level of proficiency
in the language(s) with documents.
The Committee also fixed the date and place of conduction
of the public interview referred to in item 3, letter (e) of the
order.
On the same date, 1 June 2023, the following was published
on the website of the Ministry of Justice:
- Minutes from the conducted session of the Committee;
- A final list of the persons admitted on a document basis
to participate in the procedure for the selection of candidates
for a judge in the European Court of Human Rights in accordance
with item 7, letter (a) of the order.
2.3.4 A
written test in English and French to certify the degree of proficiency
in the foreign language concerned for candidates who have not certified
their proficiency in the language with the documents referred to
in item 2, letter (d) of Order No. JIC-04-139/20 April 2023.
In accordance with the Committee's resolution, written tests
in English and French were held on 5 June 2023 to certify candidates'
proficiency in the respective foreign language.
A session was held on the same day, at which the Committee
admitted to the public interview the following persons listed in
alphabetical order (according to the Bulgarian alphabet, the first
name being the leading one):
- Mr Viktor
Yosifov Soloveichik
- Ms Galya Goranova Valkova
- Ms Diana Petrova Kovacheva
- Mr Dragomir Nikolov Yordanov
- Ms Ekaterina Nikolaeva Georgieva
- Ms Katerina Borislavova Yocheva
- Ms Krasimira Neofitova Milachkova
- Mr Plamen Evgeniev Borisov
- Ms Tatyana Emilova Bachvarova.
The Committee did not admit the following persons, listed
in alphabetical order (according to the Bulgarian alphabet, the
first name being the leading one), to the public interview:
- Mr Ivan Petkov Boev – the candidate
did not sit for a written test for certification of sufficient proficiency in
English;
- Ms Iskra Todorova Alexandrova – failed the written test
for certification of sufficient proficiency in English;
- Ms Maria Hristova Popova – failed the written test to
certify sufficient proficiency in French;
- Ms Milena Vladimirova Kadieva – failed the written test
to certify sufficient proficiency in French.
The Committee adopted criteria of equal relative weighting
in the evaluation of the candidates under item 7, letter (c) of
the order, as follows: thorough knowledge of the national legal
system, including in the field of human rights; knowledge of substantive
and procedural law under the ECHR; the candidate's views on the
role of the judge in the European Court of Human Rights; and current
trends in the practice of applying the ECHR.
The request of Ms Iskra Todorova Alexandrova, received in
the Ministry of Justice on 2 June 2023 was discussed at the session.
The request was to replace the core member of the Committee, Lyubka
Petrova, by a reserve member when making decisions regarding the
candidate Iskra Todorova Alexandrova in order to avoid conflict
of interest. The Committee did not grant this request, arguing that
prerequisites for the presence of a conflict of interest had not
been established.
The Committee discussed, but did not grant either, an objection
received from the candidate Ivan Petkov Boev that the document submitted
by him evidencing his proficiency in English, which according to
his allegations met the requirements under item 2, letter (d) of
the order, was not recognised.
The minutes of the session were posted the same day, 5 June
2023, on the website of the Ministry of Justice.
On 6 June 2023, due to an objection received in the Ministry
of Justice from the candidate Ivan Petkov Boev against his being
not admitted to the public interview, with an enclosed new document
for English language proficiency, an extraordinary session of the
Committee was arranged. After a cumulative assessment of the documents
submitted by the candidate, the Committee unanimously decided that
the candidate had certified a sufficient level of proficiency in
English and admitted him to an interview.
The minutes from the session were posted the same day, 6 June
2023, on the website of the Ministry of Justice.
2.3.5 Public
interview, including in English and French
A public interview was held in the Ministry of Justice on
8 June 2023. The order of hearing was determined by lot drawn by
each candidate. The only person present in the room during the conduction
of the interview was the candidate being interviewed.
In accordance with the Committee’s resolution adopted on 1
June 2023, in the hearing and evaluation of the candidate Diana
Petrova Kovacheva, Prof. Dr. Plamen Panayotov and Mr Alexander Kashamov
were replaced by the reserve members, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zdravka Krasteva
and attorney-at-law Nikolay Runevski, as a reserve member of the
Supreme Bar Council instead of attorney-at-law Nina Sedefova who
was not able to participate (Order No. ЛС-13-82 of 08 June 2023).
In order to ensure transparency and publicity during the public
interview, senior magistrates, representatives of the Ombudsman
institution, Constitutional Court judges, academics, NGOs, media
and other stakeholders were invited.
The public interview with each of the candidates admitted
included:
- a short statement
on the rote of the judge in the European Court of Human Rights;
- hearing the replies to the questions put by the Committee
members;
- hearing of the answers to the questions put by the invited
persons.
The hearing was held in Bulgarian with some questions having
been asked in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe
– English or French.
Each member of the Committee assessed each candidate by putting
a score on their overall performance. The lowest score was 2 whereas
the highest score was 6. The final ranking of the candidates was
based on their average score.
2.3.6 Assessment,
ranking and announcement of the candidates nominated by the Committee
in alphabetical order in a main list and in a reserve list according
to the ranking
On the basis of the results of the conducted interview, the
Committee adopted a basic list in alphabetical order (in accordance
with the Bulgarian alphabet, with the first name being the leading
one) of the names of the first three candidates ranked according
to item 7, letter (h) of the order, as follows:
- Ms Galya Goranova Valkova
- Ms Diana Petrova Kovacheva
- Mr Dragomir Nikolov Yordanov
The Committee also adopted a reserve list of candidates in
accordance with the final scores in accordance with item 7, letter
(i) of the order as follows:
- Mr Viktor
Yosifov Soloveichik
- Ms Krasimira Neofitova Milachkova
- Ms Ekaterina Nikolaeva Georgieva
- Mr Plamen Evgeniev Borisov
- Mr Ivan Petkov Boev
- Ms Tatyana Emilova Bachvarova
- Ms Katerina Borislavova Yocheva
On the same day, 8 June 2023, the prepared minutes with the
lists referred to in item 7, letters (h) and (i) of the order were
posted on the website of the Ministry of Justice.
2.3.7 Adoption
of a resolution of the Council of Ministers on the approval of the
national candidates in a main and a reserve list
On 5 June 2023, the Council of Ministers adopted Decision
No. 468 of 7 July 2023 whereby it definitely appointed the candidates
of the Republic of Bulgaria for judges in the European Court of
Human Rights and approved the reserve list of candidates.
Appendix 1 – Curriculum
vitae of Diana Petrova KOVACHEVA
I. Personal details:
Name, forename: KOVACHEVA, Diana Petrova
Sex: female
Date and place of birth: 16 July 1975, Sofia
Nationality: Bulgarian
II. Education and
academic and other qualifications
- December 2021, Bulgarian
Academy of Science, Institute for the State and the Law – Professor
in International Law and International Relations
- July 2016 – December 2021, Bulgarian Academy of Science,
Institute for the State and the Law (Institute for Legal Studies)
– Associated Professor in International Law and International Relations
- June 2010, Supreme Commission for Attestation (ВАК), Bulgarian
Academy of Science, Institute for Legal Studies - Doctor in International
Law and International Relations, Ph. D. Topic: “Establishment of the
International Criminal Court. Main Aspects of its Jurisdiction”
- October 2007 – July 2008, Université Nancy 2, Ministry
of Higher Education and Research – Master degree in European union
law, “Mastère Droit de la Construction Européenne”, Master degree
in Law, Economy and Governance, Department “European Studies”, Master’s
thesis: The Role of OLAF in the Protection of the Financial Interests
of the EU” (in French)
- October 2007 – July 2008, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski” Faculty of Law, Master’s degree in international relations:
Law of the European Union
- October 2006 – July 2007, Université Nancy 2, France,
Centre Européen Universitaire – Inter-university diploma “Legal
and Judicial system of the European Union”, Postgraduate studies:
European Union Law
- October 2006 – July 2007, Joint programme among Sofia
University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Faculty of Law, Université Nancy
2, France, Université Robert Schuman, France – Postgraduate studies,
Diploma in Law “Legal and Judicial System of the European Union”
- October 1993 – June 1999, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski”, Faculty of Law – Master degree in Law, Diploma for Higher
Education
- Ministry of Justice, June 1999 – June 2000 – Certificate
for legal probation
- First English Language School, Ministry of Science and
Education – Diploma Certificate for Fluency in English Language
(private pupil)
- 19th Secondary School “Elin Pelin”, Sofia – Diploma for
Secondary Education
- 2000, Ministry of National Education of France – Diploma
for Fluency in French (DALF)
III. Relevant professional
activities
a. Description of
judicial activities
N/A
b. Description of
non-judicial legal activities
- 5 September 2019 (inauguration)
– 21 May 2020 (election), Sofia, National Ombudsman of the Republic of
Bulgaria – Ombudsman of the Republic
of Bulgaria
- January 2016 – September 2019, Sofia, National Ombudsman
of the Republic of Bulgaria – Deputy-Ombudsman of the Republic of
Bulgaria
- Since December 2021, Sofia Bulgarian Academy of Science
Institute for Legal Studies – Professor
in International Law and International Relations
- July 2016 – December 2021, Sofia Bulgarian Academy of
Science Institute for Legal Studies – Associated Professor in International
Law and International Relations
- Since October 2017, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
– Professor /Associate professor
in the Masters programme, International Public Law, International
Protection of Human Rights (classes in English and Bulgarian)
- Since January 2014, Council of Europe – Legal Consultant in Human rights
protection, judicial reform and anticorruption
- Since September 2013, Sofia, University for National and
World Economy, Professor/Associated professor,
Law of the European Union, International Humanitarian Law, International
Public Law
- December 2013 – July 2016, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of
Science Institute for Legal Studies – Chief Assistant in International
Law and International Relations
- September 2013 – January 2016, Sofia, Transparency International
Bulgaria – Lead Legal Researcher
- 30 November 2011 – 13 March 2013, Sofia, Ministry of Justice
– Minister of Justice
- July 2003 – July 2004, Sofia, Open Society Institute Sofia
– Director of project “Civic Convention for Amendments to the Bulgarian
Constitution”
- September 2002 – November 2011, Sofia, Transparency International
Bulgaria – Executive Director, Legal Advisor
- 2005 – 2007 and 2013 – 2016, Sofia, National Institute
for Public Administration – Lecturer on International Legal Aspects
of anticorruption, Legal ethics and anticorruption, Legal aspects
of conflict-of-interest prevention
- June 2001 – August 2002, Sofia, Ministry of Justice, “International
Legal cooperation and legal aid” Department – Senior Expert
- June 2000 – June 2001, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Science,
Institute for Legal studies – Research fellow in International Law
and International Relations
- June 1999 – June 2000, Sofia, Ministry of Justice – Legal
Probation
c. Description of
non-legal professional activities
N/A
IV. Activities and
experience in the field of human rights
- 5 September 2019 (inauguration)
– 21 May 2020 (election), Sofia, National Ombudsman of the Republic of
Bulgaria – Ombudsman of the Republic
of Bulgaria
- January 2016 – September 2019, Sofia, National Ombudsman
of the Republic of Bulgaria – Deputy-Ombudsman of the Republic of
Bulgaria
- Since December 2021, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Science
Institute for Legal Studies – Professor
in International Law and International Relations
- July 2016 – December 2021, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of
Science Institute for Legal Studies – Associated Professor in International
Law and International Relations
- Since October 2017, Sofia, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski” – Professor/Associate professor in the Masters
programme, International Public Law, International Protection of
Human Rights (classes in English and Bulgarian)
- Since January 2014, Council of Europe – Legal Consultant in Human rights
protection, judicial reform and anti corruption
- Since September 2013, Sofia, University for National and
World Economy – Professor/Associated professor,
Law of the European Union, International Humanitarian Law, International
Public Law
- December 2023 – July 2016, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of
Science Institute for Legal Studies – Chief Assistant in International
Law and International Relations
- September 2013 – January 2016, Sofia, Transparency International
Bulgaria – Lead Legal Researcher
- 30 November 2011 – 13 March 2013, Sofia, Ministry of Justice
– Minister of Justice
- September 2002 – November 2011, Sofia, Transparency International
Bulgaria – Executive Director, Legal Advisor
- June 2001 – August 2002, Sofia Ministry of Justice, “International
Legal cooperation and legal aid” Department – Senior Expert
- June 2000 – June 2001, Sofia, Bulgarian Academy of Science,
Institute for Legal studies – Research fellow in International Law
and International Relations
Specialisations in Human Rights Protection
- June 2019, Italy, European Network
of National Human rights Institutions (ENNHRI) OSCE, ODIHR – 2019
NHRI Academy, International Protection of Human Rights (advanced
course)
- 2016, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law
and Human Rights, Diplomatic Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– Protection of Human Rights
- July 2006, Council of Europe, Bulgarian School of Politics
– Summer University for Democracy of the Schools of Political Studies
of the Council of Europe
- August 2003, Turku, Finland, Institute for Human Rights,
Abo Akademi University – International Protection for Human Rights
(advanced course)
- August 2001, Turku, Finland, Institute for Human Rights,
Abo Akademi University – Monitoring on Human Rights and Election
Monitoring
- 2000, New York, USA, Queen’s College, City University
of New York – International Human Rights Protection
- 2000, New York, USA Parliamentarians for Global Action
– International Protection of Human Rights and International Criminal
Justice (Probation and Practice)
V. Public activities
a. Public office
- June 2001 – August 2002,
Sofia, Ministry of Justice, International Legal Co-operation and
Legal Aid Department – Senior Expert (Civil Servant)
b. Elected posts
- 5 September 2019 (inauguration)
– 21 May 2020 (election), Sofia, National Ombudsman of the Republic of
Bulgaria – Ombudsman of the
Republic of Bulgaria
- 28 January 2016 – September 2019, Sofia, National Ombudsman
of the Republic of Bulgaria – Deputy Ombudsman of the Republic of
Bulgaria
- December 2021, Sofia Bulgarian Academy of Science Institute
for Legal Studies – Professor in International
Law and International Relations
- 30 November 2011 – 13 March 2013, Sofia, Ministry of Justice
of the Republic of Bulgaria – Minister of Justice
c. Posts held in
a political party or movement
N/A
VI. Other activities
N/A
VII. Publications
and other works
Scientific publications
- Scientific
Books: 4
- Book Chapters: 2
- Manuals: 4
- Scientific Articles: 20
Scientific books
- International
Standards and Challlenges for National Human Rights Institutions,
“Prof. Marin Drinov” Publisher, 2021
- Individual as subject of the International Law. Legal
Personality of the Individual in the Context of the International
Law on Protection of Human Rights and the International Humanitarian
Law, Ciela, 2018,
- International Criminal Court, establishment and complementary
jurisdiction”, Sofia University, “St. Kliment Ohridski” publisher
S., 2018
- International Aspects of the Fight against Corruption,
Institute for Legal studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, S.,
2016
Scientific Articles
- “The
New Legal Subjects: are the Artificial Intelligence Systems among
us?, De Jure Legal Review, 13 February 2022
- How long shall man be the measure of all things? Artificial
Intelligence systems and the Protection of Human Rights: Overwhelming
risks or Beneficial Opportunities?, Economic Alternatives Review
(under print)
- “Article 228 from the Treaty of the Functioning in the
European Union, the Treaty of Functioning of the European Union”,
Blanke/Mangiameli, vol. III, Springer, (under print)
- “European Standards for independence and freedom of Expression
of the Judiciary”, De jure Legal Review, 1/2019
- “Legal issues in the Cooperation among National Ombudsmen
in South-East Europe”, Balkanistic Forum Legal Review, 2/2019
- “Human rights protection in the European Union: Is the
European Ombudsman Legging behind?”, Papers of BAS, Humanities and
social Sciences, 1/2018
- “Integrity Checks as Part of the Fight Against Corruption
and the Protection of Human Rights: European standards and the jurisprudence
of the European Court of Human Rights”, Legal Review, 1/2018
- “Is there a Connection between Corruption and Human Rights?
сп. International politics Legal Review, XIII, 1-2/2018
- “Effective Remedy for violations of art. 3 of the European
Convention for Human Rights and the Jurisprudence of the European
Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg”, Annual works of the University for
National and World Economy, Sofia, 2017
VIII. Languages
|
Language
|
Reading
|
Writing
|
Speaking
|
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
|
First language:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
English
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Official languages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– English
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
– French
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Other languages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russian
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
IX. In the event
that you do not meet the level of language proficiency required
for the post of judge in an official language, please confirm your
intention to follow intensive language classes of the language concerned
prior to, and if need be also at the beginning of, your term of
duty if elected a judge on the Court
YES
X. Other relevant
information
N/A
XI. Please confirm
that you will take up permanent residence in Strasbourg if elected
a judge on the Court
YES
Appendix 2 – Curriculum
vitae of Galya VALKOVA
I. Personal details
Name, forename: VALKOVA, Galya
Sex: female
Date and place of birth: 25 March 1978
Nationality: Bulgarian
II. Education and
academic and other qualifications
- Master of Law (University
of National and World Economy, Sofia). Main disciplines studied: constitutional
law, civil law, criminal law, family law, property law, contract
law, international protection of human rights, international public
and private law, EU law, participation in a legal clinic on civil
law (2000-2005).
- Training under the Council of Europe programme, at the
Registry of the European Court of Human Rights, on ECHR Human Rights
Standards in the case law of the Court (seconded judge, 2014-2015).
- Children's Human Rights – An Interdisciplinary Introduction.
Online course by the University of Geneva (UNIGE). www.coursera.org
(March-April 2017)
- Intimate partner violence. Training at the National School
for the Judiciary (ENM), Paris, France. Scholarship from the French
Institute, Sofia, Bulgaria (March 2019).
- Family law and human rights. Training under the Council
of Europe HELP programme (September-December 2019).
- Violence against women and domestic violence. Training
under the Council of Europe HELP programme (October 2020).
III. Relevant professional
activities
a. Description of
judicial activities
- 06.03.2007 – 06.03.2010
– Junior judge at the Sofia City Court (seconded to the Sofia District
Court from 08.02.2010 to 06.03.2010);
- 06.03.2010 – 04.10.2022 – Judge at Sofia District Court
(seconded to the Sofia City Court from 22.10.2018 to 04.10.2022);
- November 2014 – June 2015 – Seconded judge at The Registry
of the ECtHR (on a project of the Supreme Judicial Council, Bulgaria).
Main activity – discussion of complaints against Bulgaria – assessment
of the compliance of complaints with the admissibility criteria,
summary of facts and complaints, opinions on applicable national
law, participation in researches of the national law and practice
of the ECtHR, visiting meetings of the Grand Chamber of the ECtHR
and meetings of the Section, participation in translation into Bulgarian
of the Dictionary of the European Convention on Human Rights, in
co-operation with other departments of the Council of Europe;
- from 04.10.2022 – until now – judge
at the Sofia City Court. Daily practice in areas relevant
to human rights – family law, the rights of people with disabilities,
the right to freedom of expression, the right to peaceful enjoyment
of possessions.
b. Description of
non-judicial legal activities
Lecturer at the National Institute of Justice, Sofia, Bulgaria
(NIJ):
- of junior judges – topics:
divorce and matrimonial claims, parental responsibility, domestic
violence, proceedings for placement of a child in residential care
under the Child Protection Act;
- distance learning: domestic violence – civil law context;
- webinar for judges and prosecutors: rights of people with
disabilities in civil law contexts – according to the ECHR, the
CRPD and EU law.
Member of the Human Rights Forum of the National Institute
of Justice, Sofia, Bulgaria, thematic area: child-friendly justice.
The forum assists NIJ in identifying and planning trainings, structuring
learning resources, and organising round tables and meetings – exchange
of good practices and professional experience. Personal participation
in forum meetings, proposing and summarising topics, planning of
events for exchange of experience.
Lecturer at the Academy of European Law (ERA), Trier, Germany,
topics:
- Discrimination on the
grounds of disability (relationship between EU law and UN Convention
on the rights of the people with disabilities; the concept of disability
and reasonable accommodation.);
- Problems arising from the placement of people with disabilities
in social care institutions – a judge’s perspective (fulfillment
of the criteria established with the Case of Stanev v. Bulgaria,
Grand Chamber judgement).
Lecturer at the Krastyu Tsonchev Lawyers Training Centre,
Sofia, Bulgaria, topics: parental responsibility, domestic violence.
c. Description of
non-legal professional activities
- October 2004 – June
2006 – Legislative Assistant at the Student Programme for Legislative
Studies at the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. The
programme prepares legislative studies on topics assigned by MPs,
the researched legislation is compared and summarised, identifying
best working legislative frameworks.
- March 2019 – participation in the preparation of a request,
on behalf of the President of the Sofia District Court, for an interpretative
judgment on the issue: after a protection order has been issued
under the Protection of Domestic Violence Act, is a new referral
to the court admissible in a subsequent act of violence? Based on
the request, the Supreme Court of Cassation issued the first interpretative
judgment on the topic of civil law aspects of domestic violence.
The answer to the question terminates the divergent case law practice
and guarantees access to court for victims of systematic acts of
domestic violence (protected rights under Art. 6, Art. 3 and 8 ECHR).
- February – April 2022 – a member of a working group at
the Ministry of Justice for the preparation of an Act to amend and
supplement the Protection against Domestic Violence Act. The amendments proposed
by me and adopted by the working group provide for easier access
to justice for victims of domestic violence, direct access to court
for persons under full guardianship, ex officio taking of evidence,
the introduction for the first time of the risk assessment being
conducted by the court and the forthcoming preparation of a national
risk assessment tool (case Kurt v. Austria, judgment of the Grand Chamber
ECtHR).
IV. Activities and
experience in the field of human rights
Daily practice as a judge in cases related to fundamental
rights and freedoms – rights of people with disabilities, domestic
violence, the right to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful
enjoyment of possessions, reflecting ECHR standards.
Certified trainer for the HELP Programme of the Council of
Europe.
Organising seminars for judges on key judgments of the ECtHR
relevant to their practice.
V. Public activities
N/A
VI. Other activities
a. Field
Mediation at the Center for Settlements and Mediation at the
Sofia Regional and Sofia City Court, Sofia, Bulgaria.
b. Duration
March 2012 until now.
c. Functions
- February 2013 – March
2014 – President of the Centre;
- March 2012 – present – volunteer;
- Member of GEMME (European
judges group for mediation).
VII. Publications
and other works
- Guide for Magistrates
on the Management of Cases Related to Domestic and Gender-Based
Violence (co-author with prof. Shazia Choudhry – Oxford University,
Faculty of Law, judge Maria Doncheva – Deputy Chairman of the Sofia
Regional Court, Desislava Petrova – Deputy City Prosecutor of the
Sofia City Prosecutor's Office and psychologist Diana Videva, Demetra
Association). National Institute of Justice, project "Prevention
and Counteraction of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence" under
the Justice Programme of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism ((NFM)
2014-2021);
- The child resisting contact with the noncustodial parent
– definitions, specifics and constructive approach to tackle the
problem. (Advocacy Review Magazine, vol. 10, 2019, co-author with:
Aneta Atanasova – Professor (Assistant) at Sofia University "St.
Kliment Ohridski", Department: Developmental, clinical and abnormal
psychology, Svetla Staykova – Professor (Assistant) at Medical University
of Sofia, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Elena
Mihaylova, MD, child psychiatrist at Alexandrovska University Hospital);
- Protection from domestic violence – practical problems
in acts of violence following a protection order issued under Art.
5, para. 1 of the Protection against Domestic Violence Act. (Advocacy
Review Magazine, No. 3/2018, (co-author with judge Maria Doncheva
– Deputy Chairman of the Sofia Regional Court);
- Family conflict and its fair resolution by the court.
(Advocacy Review Magazine, Vol. 4-5/2015, co-author with Professor
(Assistant) Dr. Rumen Petrov, New Bulgarian University, Department
of Health and Social Work).
VIII. Languages
|
Language
|
Reading
|
Writing
|
Speaking
|
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
|
First language:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgarian
|
x
|
|
|
x
|
|
|
x
|
|
|
|
Official languages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- English
|
x
|
|
|
x
|
|
|
x
|
|
|
|
- French
|
|
x
|
|
|
|
x
|
|
|
x
|
|
Other languages:
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IX. In the event
that you do not meet the level of language proficiency required
for the post of judge in an official language, please confirm your
intention to follow intensive language classes of the language concerned
prior to, and if need be also at the beginning of, your term of
duty if elected a judge on the Court
YES
X. Other relevant
information
N/A
XI. Please confirm
that you will take up permanent residence in Strasbourg if elected
a judge on the Court
YES
Appendix 3 – Curriculum
vitae of Dragomir YORDANOV
I. Personal details:
Name, forename: YORDANOV, Dragomir
Sex: Male
Date and place of birth: 28 September 1967, Sofia, Bulgaria
Nationality: Bulgarian
II. Education and
academic and other qualifications
- 9th French Language
School, Sofia, Secondary education (1981 – 1986)
- Law Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Master
in Law (1988 – 1993)
- Training at Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature, Paris,
France (January-June 1996)
- Training in Public Policy and Public Administration, Martin
School of Public Policy and Public Administration, University of
Kentucky and Internship in judicial administration, education and
research and information services at the National Center for State
Courts, USA, Georgetown University East and Central European Scholarship
Program (August 2006 – February 2007)
III. Relevant professional
activities
a. Description of
judicial activities
- Junior judge, Sofia
City Court (August 1994 – September 1996) Hearing first and second
instance civil, commercial and administrative cases as junior member
of a panel of three judges.
- Judge, Sofia Regional Court (September 1996 – June 1999)
Hearing first instance criminal cases as single judge or presiding
judge.
- Criminal Judge at District Court Level, European Union
Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo EULEX (December 2008 – April 2011)
Hearing first, second and last instance criminal cases at Municipal, District
and Supreme Court level; Monitoring, mentoring and advising local
Judiciary.
b. Description of
non-judicial legal activities
- Executive Director,
Magistrates Training Center (July 1999 – December 2003). Setting
up the first national training institution for magistrates in Bulgaria.
Organising trainings to magistrates on professional skills, European
Law, Human Rights.
- Deputy-Director/Program Director, National Institute of
Justice (January 2004 – March 2011). In charge of the training programs
and the international co-operation of the national judicial training
institution.
- Director, National Institute of Justice (April 2011 –
July 2016). In charge of the overall policies and operations, training
activities and publications and the international co-operation of
the national judicial training institution.
- Expert in international projects in the field of the Rule
of Law and Justice in Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean
and Central Asia (2014 – ongoing). Assessing, providing recommendations
and conducting capacity building activities on different aspects
of the Rule of Law and Justice.
- Member of the Board of Trustees,
Academy of European Law ERA (2016 – ongoing). The Board
of Trustees advises the Executive Board and Management Board particularly
with regard to the planning of the programme of events (including
on Human Rights).
- Part-time lecturer at the
New Bulgarian University (2008 – ongoing). Delivering
courses (including on Human Rights) at the Department of Political
Sciences, Anglophone and Francophone programs.
- Executive Director, European
School of Enforcement (2017 – ongoing). Setting up the
training institution and organising training for Public Enforcement
Agents.
- Long-Term Expert, EU/Kosovo
Justice Sector Programme EUKOJUST (October 2020 – ongoing). In
charge of the project activities pertaining to judicial training
and capacity building, particularly related to Kosovo Justice Academy.
c. Description of
non-legal professional activities
N/A
IV. Activities and
experience in the field of human rights
- Internship at the European
Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg, France (April – June 1997)
- Applying ECHR as a national judge (1994-1999) and an international
judge (2008-2011)
- Training police officers on ECHR and drafting a handbook
for them (1999)
- Organising trainings, publications and professional exchanges
for magistrates in the field of Human Rights (1999-2016)
- Teaching Human Rights courses at New Bulgarian University
(2012/13 – ongoing)
V. Public activities
a. Public office
- Judge (1994-1999, 2008-2011)
- Deputy-Director / Program Director, National Institute
of Justice (2004 – 2011)
- Director, National Institute of Justice (2011 – 2016)
- Minister of Justice, Caretaker Government (March – May
2013)
b. Elected posts
N/A
c. Posts held in
a political party or movement
N/A
VI. Other activities
N/A
VII. Publications
and other works
- “The police activity
in the light of the European Convention of Human Rights”, Handbook
for police officers; 2000 (co-author)
- “The administration of justice in Europe and the evaluation
of its quality: the situation in Bulgaria”, research project, GROTIUS
program of the EU; 2002-2003 (co-author)
- “Study on Best Practices in training of judges and prosecutors”,
Final Report, European Commission; 2014 (co-author)
- “Private Enforcement Agents: The Newest Legal Profession
in Bulgaria”, article in “The Future of Legal Europe: Will We Trust
in It?”, ISBN: 978-3-030-68253-8, Springer, 2021 (author).
VIII. Languages
|
Language
|
Reading
|
Writing
|
Speaking
|
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
very good
|
good
|
fair
|
|
First language:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bulgarian
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Official languages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
– English
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
– French
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
Other languages:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russian
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
IX. In the event
that you do not meet the level of language proficiency required
for the post of judge in an official language, please confirm your
intention to follow intensive language classes of the language concerned
prior to, and if need be also at the beginning of, your term of
duty if elected a judge on the Court
YES
X. Other relevant
information
N/A
XI. Please confirm
that you will take up permanent residence in Strasbourg if elected
a judge on the Court
YES
