Authorities Dismantle Roma Tent Camp in Bulgaria's Yambol

The Roma who were evicted from the notorious apartment building 20 have decided to stay at the nearby meadow while waiting for compensation from the municipality. Photo by BGNES

The Roma tent camp near the former notorious apartment building 20 in the Bulgarian southern city of Yambol has been dismantled.

Construction equipment has been used in the last several days to clean the meadow which is actually a football field. The action had been planned by the City Hall and aims to remove for good the illegal tents, huts, and other handmade dwellings.

Despite Roma voicing outrage, the municipality is firm they would no allow them to live there. Police is to monitor the site 24 hours a day.

Social Services, the municipal administration and UNICEF Bulgaria say only one family has no place to go, while the rest have been housed with friends and relatives. NGOs are seeking ways to solve the issue and find a home for the family.

In September 2010, building 20, occupied illegally by Roma, was demolished because it was deemed dangerous for the lives and the health of the squatters. Some of the residents, however, built a camp in the nearby meadow, and occupied it for 7 months.

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