MPs voted at first reading against the abolishment in the Directorate General Civil Registration and Administrative Services (GRAO) of the forced change of Bulgarian citizens' Turkish names, which took place during Bulgaria's Communist regime and was part of the so-called "Revival process", BTA reported.
The MPs voted on amendments to the Civil Registration Act, submitted by Sevim Ali and a group of MPs of Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. 81 voted in favour, 21 against, with 70 abstentions.
"We are constantly receiving complaints by Bulgarian citizens with Turkish or Arabic names, that during administrative services they are asked by clerks to state their Bulgarian names," Ali presented as a motive for submitting the amendments. "Our proposal for the abolishment of the forcefully imposed names in GRAO is to remove such unacceptable and unlawful practices," Ali added.
"This draft decision has been continuously submitted since the 90s. The consequences of the so-called 'Revival process' must be abolished," Hamid Hamid of Movement for Rights and Freedoms - New Beginning expressed his support for the amendments. Aylin Pehlivanova of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria also said they would support the amendments.
Sevim Ali concluded that they will continue to submit the draft decision until it is approved.