Explanation of Abstention Vote by Bulgaria on the U.N. Human Rights Council Durban Resolution

"Thank you, Madame President. As regards draft resolution A/HRC/48/L.3/Rev.1, Bulgaria remains committed to fighting racism in all its forms and manifestations. In this respect, we share the overall purpose and objectives of the resolution. In the same spirit, Bulgaria has always been consistently opposed to all forms of intolerance, xenophobia, and antisemitism. We know that the text of the proposed resolution contains references to the Durban Declaration and plan of action. Given the history of the process related to these documents and the sustained risk that it could still be misused for antisemitic propaganda, Bulgaria cannot support the text of the resolution as it stands at present and will abstain during the vote."