Will the lessons of totalitarianism be forgotten!?
On July 21, the budget committee took the first step toward closing the Commission for Disclosure of Documents and for Declaration of Affiliation of Bulgarian Citizens to the State Security and Intelligence Services of the Bulgarian People’s Army (KRDOPBGDSRSBNA), citing arguments for savings. Despite appeals from scientists, journalists, lawyers, public figures, and civil society organizations, the budget committee approved the texts in the State Budget Act for 2026 on second reading, directing Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov to prepare legislative changes by September 15 to close the Commission on Dossiers and transfer its functions to the State Archives Agency.
Finance Minister Galab Donev emphasized that this act will save 6 million euros.
For almost a month, writers, university professors, artists, architects, priests, and journalists have shown categorical resistance through letters, press conferences, and publications.
The KRDOPBGDSRSBNA itself opposed the closure, advocating for a broad public debate and consensus.
Numerous affiliation checks remain incomplete, including those on individuals, members of management and control bodies of non-profit entities, founders of such entities, owners and managers of advertising and public relations agencies, and participants in privatization by the Privatization Agency.
The leadership of the Commission on Dossiers expressed its position to the Ministry of Finance, triggered by public information about the planned closure in the new state budget. They disagreed with §8 of the Draft Law of the State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026, which suggests regulatory changes to close the KRDOBPGBDSRSBNA and transfer its activities to the State Archives Agency. The Commission insists that the institution’s future should be subject to a broad public discussion and consensus, as was the case with the 2006 law concerning access and disclosure of documents.
TO
MRS. TANYA GEORGIEVA
GENERAL SECRETARY
OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEAR MRS. GEORGIEVA,
In response to the draft Decision of the Council of Ministers regarding the State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026 sent for coordination, the Commission for Disclosure of Documents and for Declaration of Affiliation of Bulgarian Citizens to the State Security and Intelligence Services of the Bulgarian People’s Army (KRDOPBGDSRSBNA) has no comments on the draft decision and proposed bill regarding the draft budget for 2026 in Art. 28 of the bill.
However, we disagree with §8 of the Draft Law, which requires the development of a proposal for regulatory changes to close the KRDOBPGSRSBNA and transfer its activities to the State Archives Agency. Some arguments include that the current law, which reflects the consensus will of all parliamentary parties, ensures maximum opening of documents and disclosure of affiliation for public figures, in response to international recommendations.
The law assigned three main tasks: ensuring access to documents, mandatory affiliation checks, and building a centralized archive of documents from September 9, 1944, to July 16, 1991. Since its establishment in April 2007, the Commission has consistently fulfilled these tasks, providing vital historical information. It is part of the European Network of Official Bodies Responsible for the Storage of Secret Police Files, uniting institutions from various former socialist countries.
Mandatory background checks inform the public about individuals with connections to the State Security and the Bulgarian People’s Army. Recent legislative changes expanded these checks, linking communist past affiliations to modern socio-political life. Many verifications of affiliation remain incomplete, raising concerns about equal treatment. Closing the Commission could hinder the public’s right to historical truth, perceived as a betrayal to victims of the totalitarian regime.
Closure and transfer to the State Agency “Archives” might restrict citizen access to documents. The Commission currently provides effective, specialized access, which could be hindered by such a transfer due to inventory and processing requirements, violating constitutional rights and democratic striving.
No former socialist bloc country has ended disclosure processes this way. We advocate for public discussion and consensus on the Commission’s future, as was done in 2006.
The Commission is ready to provide information and engage in dialogue on its future activities.
PLAMEN TONCHEV, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON DISCLOSURE OF DOCUMENTS AND ON DECLARATION OF BELONGING OF BULGARIAN CITIZENS TO THE STATE SECURITY AND INTELLIGENCE SERVICES OF THE BULGARIAN PEOPLE’S ARMY
Illustration: A reconstruction of the infamous portal at the Belene concentration camp established by a confidential decision of the Bulgarian Communist Party government on April 27, 1949. The camp saw multiple closures and reopenings before its final closure in 1987.
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