The Day of Bulgarian National Revival Leaders was darkened by aggression against Krasimir Kanev Bulgarian Helsinki Committee chairman. At a time when politicians of all colours pronounce clichéd speeches in praise of National Revival Leaders, we, representatives of civil organisations, remind that today’s revival leaders are in nearly the same state their predecessors found themselves in – that is, persecuted, disparaged, left alone. However, there are people who do not give up on fighting for civil rights, for nature, for social justice, and for tolerance.
In this context, the assault on Krassimir Kanev represents an exceptionally dangerous precedent, happening at a symbolic place – the National Assembly building. This “accident” is not surprising after years of smear campaigning against the whole of the civil sector in Bulgaria. “Specialized” pseudo-media has been used for that purpose – battering on civil rights activists and organisations. It is clear what stands behind this black PR strategy – if we can’t clear up our own image, let’s make it so that all appear equally bad – let’s make people believe that all are scoundrels
