This hearing, chaired by Commissioners Steny Hoyer and Dennis DeConcini, focused on the Bulgarian government’s attempts to forcibly assimilate the sizable Turkish minority in their country. The assimilation campaign began in 1984, and was the most egregious example of the Bulgarian government’s denial of rights to its citizens. This hearing was the first in a series of hearings in 1987 on national minorities in Eastern Europe. Witnesses included Ambassador Richard Schifter, Halil Ibisoglu, and Thomas Caufield Goltz.
Members
Hon. Steny Hoyer
Chairman
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Dennis DeConcini
Co-Chairman
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. John Porter
Commissioner
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Christopher Smith
Commissioner
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses
Ambassador Richard Schifter
Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
Department of State
Halil Ibisoglu
Former Turkish Resident of Bulgaria
Thomas Caufield Goltz
Correspondent
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