Attorney Adela Kachounova has been the Director of the Legal Program at the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) since 2017, where she is responsible for strategic litigation before national and international jurisdictions and leads a team of experienced and dedicated lawyers. She took on the role of co-chair of BHC in 2024.
Radoslav Stoyanov holds an LLM degree and is a long-standing human rights activist. He has litigated a series of public interest cases concerning discrimination against LGBTI individuals, as well as ethnic, religious and age-related minorities. Having been a member of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee’s team since 2013, he was appointed co-chair of two civil society organisations: LGBTI Deystvie in 2023, and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee in 2024.
Director of the Monitoring and Research Program
Krassimir Kanev was one of the founders of the BHC in 1992. Between 1992 and 1994 he was a secretary of the organization, and after 1994 – its chairperson. He graduated in philosophy and defended his doctoral dissertation at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. He majored in human rights at Columbia University in New York.
Krassimir Kanev has taught human rights at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and runs several online human rights courses for the American organization Human Rights Training Partners for professionals and activists from around the world. He has taught at Paisii Hilendarski University in Plovdiv, as well as at the Central European University, the University of Sarajevo, and the University of Eugene, Oregon. From 1998 to 2007 he was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, based in Vienna, Austria. Since 2015 he has been a member of the management board of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). Between 2005 and 2011 he was a member of the board of the UN Fund for the Protection of Victims of Torture, and between 2008 and 2010 he was its chairman. Since 2006 he has been a member of the board of the Association for the Prevention of Torture, Geneva. Between 2008 and 2018 he was a member of the board of the Institute of Public Interest Law, New York. Between 2007 and 2010 he was a member of the board of the European Roma Rights Center, Budapest. Since 2018, he has been a member of the board of the International Partnership for Human Rights, Brussels. He has participated in dozens of international human rights monitoring missions in Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Kanev is author and editor of numerous books and articles in the field of international human rights law, sociology of interethnic relations, law and education, aesthetics, and logic.
Senior Researcher and Coordinator
Antoaneta Nenkova is a co-founder of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee. She is currently a member of the General Assembly of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee. She has 18 years of experience in journalism. She was a correspondent for Deutsche Welle (DW) radio in Sofia for 13 years. She is the winner of many Bulgarian and international awards. Her authorial radio documentaries are included in the Golden Fund of the Bulgarian National Radio.
Fellow of the International Academy for Leadership (IAF), Gummersbach, Germany. Fellow of the American Councils for International Education Washington, DC, USA. Certified Expert by Minority Rights Group International (MRG), London, UK.
Antoaneta Nenkova has been monitoring institutions for children and adults in Bulgaria since 2000. She is a member of the expert group on deinstitutionalization of the National Network for Children. Expert for Bulgaria in the international team of the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) project at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame, USA. Master in Journalism and Mass Communications from Sofia University. She has specialized in Germany, USA, and the Netherlands.
Co-chair of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and Director of the Legal Program
Adv. Adela Kachaunova graduated from the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 2002 and has a Master’s degree in International Comparative Law from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. Prior to that, she graduated from the National High School for Ancient Languages and Cultures “St. Constantine Cyril the Philosopher”.
In the years before Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union, she worked in the field of European integration, participating in a number of working groups on the approximation of Bulgarian legislation to the requirements of European directives in the banking sector. Later, she changed the direction of her professional development due to her growing conviction in the need for social change. In 2012, she joined the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee as a lawyer and advocate for human rights. She litigates cases before national courts and the ECHR in support of various vulnerable people – minors in conflict with the law, prohibited persons, parents deprived of access to their children, as well as cases raising systemic problems in Bulgarian legislation and law enforcement. At the same time, she conducts research on various legal topics for European universities.
In 2017, she successfully completed a course on strategic human rights advocacy at the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, as a fellow of the Open Society Justice Initiative.
Since 2017, she has been the Director of the BHC Legal Program, where she is responsible for strategic litigation before national and supranational jurisdictions and leads a team of experienced and dedicated lawyers.
In 2024, she took over the position of co-chair of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee – together with her colleague Radoslav Stoyanov.
She is a lecturer in seminars on equal rights for LGBTI couples, seminars on prison conditions, as well as a trainer for equal rights for women and an activist for the rights of women in labor and changing birth practices in Bulgaria.
Lawyer
Iveta Savova graduated from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 2009 with a degree in Law, and in 2008 she completed a one-semester training under the Socrates – Erasmus program at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Iveta has been a registered attorney at the Sofia Bar Association since 2012. Before joining the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee team at the end of 2016, she worked in a law firm specializing in commercial law.
In 2014, Iveta worked as an expert lawyer on the project “Raising awareness of my human rights – a guarantee for the development of LGBT policies in Bulgaria”. Within the framework of the mentioned project, she conducted trainings on the topic “What is discrimination, types of discrimination and how to protect ourselves if we become a victim of discrimination”.
Iveta is fully committed to working to protect human rights and lead strategic cases that are the basis for changing public attitudes and ensuring equal treatment for all citizens.
Yoan Ivanov graduated from the National High School for Ancient Languages and Cultures “St. Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher.” He is a law student at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” For several years, he worked professionally in sports journalism and even made the news himself as “Cyclist of the Year” in 2020.
He joined the BHC in October 2024, contributing to both the “Communications and Campaigns” program and the “Legal Program.” Since 2022, he has been actively engaged in volunteer work focused on humanitarian aid for victims of the war in Ukraine and has visited the country as part of the BHC.
Director of the "Communications and Campaigns" program
Nadezhda Tsekulova graduated from a German high school in Ruse and subsequently studied journalism at Sofia University. She has many years of experience as a journalist working in the fields of healthcare, social policy and human rights. For most of her career, she has worked at the Bulgarian National Radio, while also volunteering for causes that directly affect health, welfare and human rights, with a focus on children and women.
Nadezhda Tsekulova shares about her work in the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee: “As I gained experience and knowledge, the direct effect of my work and its significance for the people who are indirectly affected by it became increasingly important to me. This motivated me to seek my path outside the media, in the non-governmental sector, where I could turn my previous volunteer activities into a profession. BHC is a space of free spirit and human empathy, which gives me meaning and the feeling that I am contributing to making our world a little better.”
She graduated from the Second English Language High School in Sofia and then majored in Journalism at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Sofia University. During her studies in 2010, she started working at Economedia as an intern at Capital Careers and remained in the media group as a reporter at Dnevnik until 2018. The main focus of her work there were the topics of health and healthcare, education and social policy, civic initiatives and activities in the non-governmental sector. In 2017, she received an award for journalism in the field of volunteering in the first edition of the TimeHeroes Annual Heroes Awards. She joined the team of the BHC Communications and Campaigns program in 2019. She is passionate about cinema, photography and contemporary art, digital media and technology, climate change and environmental protection, and above all – about human stories.
Yoan Ivanov graduated from the National High School for Ancient Languages and Cultures “St. Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher.” He is a law student at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” For several years, he worked professionally in sports journalism and even made the news himself as “Cyclist of the Year” in 2020.
He joined the BHC in October 2024, contributing to both the “Communications and Campaigns” program and the “Legal Program.” Since 2022, he has been actively engaged in volunteer work focused on humanitarian aid for victims of the war in Ukraine and has visited the country as part of the BHC.
Director of the "Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants" program
Iliana Savova has been working at the Bulgarian Humanitarian Center since 1996 on asylum and migration issues. Since 1997, she has been the coordinator of the National Legal Network for Refugees, and since 2001, she has been the director of the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, has specializations in human rights and refugee law at the European Court of Human Rights and New College, Oxford. Member of the Sofia Bar Association. Lecturer in refugee and immigration law at the “Krustyo Tsonchev” Lawyers’ Training Center of the Supreme Bar Council.
Deputy Program Director
Antoaneta Dedikova is a legal consultant and deputy director of the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants. She has been working at the Bulgarian Humanitarian Center since 2000. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Moscow State University “M. V. Lomonosov”. She specializes in issues of protecting separated children and is the coordinator for Bulgaria of Separated Children in Europe. She participates in national and international research projects on the health rights of migrants and basic standards for voluntary return.
Valentina Nielsen has been a lawyer with the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 1999, and in this capacity monitors legal standards in administrative proceedings for granting international protection. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of National and World Economy. She has a specialization in refugee law with the European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE).
Georgi Voinov has been a lawyer with the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2015 and is responsible for monitoring the borders and access to the territory of those seeking protection. He started working in the BHC refugee program as a profiler in 2014. Before that, he worked as a legal advisor in the BHC Legal Program. He graduated from the Faculty of Law of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. He has specializations in the field of women’s rights and protection from gender-based violence. Member of the Sofia Bar Association since 2013.
Dimitar Slavov has been working for the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2008, initially as a consultant on border monitoring, and subsequently as an observer of the proceedings for granting international protection in. Regional coordinator of the program’s activities. He graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Plovdiv University “Paisiy Hilendarski” and has specializations in international protection of refugees and fundamental rights of migrants at UNICRI. Member of the Haskovo Bar Association.
Mariana Andreeva has been a lawyer with the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2001 and in this capacity carries out advocacy and procedural representation activities in strategic cases. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and has specializations in international refugee protection and resettlement with the European Council for Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and the Churches Commission for Migrants.
Mariana Nikolova has been a lawyer with the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 1999 and is responsible for monitoring proceedings on granting international protection. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of National and World Economy and has specializations in international protection of refugees and fundamental rights of migrants at UNICRI. Member of the Sliven Bar Association.
Martin Hristov has been a lawyer with the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 1997. Since 2016, he has been responsible for monitoring places of detention of foreigners and access to proceedings for granting international protection. He graduated from the Higher Institute for Officer Training and Scientific Research. He has specializations in proceedings for determining the state responsible for examining an application for protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Plamen Bozhilov has been working for the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2006 as a consultant on border monitoring and access to territory. He graduated from the Faculty of Law of Plovdiv University “Paisiy Hilendarski” – Plovdiv. Member of the Yambol Bar Association since 2001.
Plamen Zhelev has been a lawyer with the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 1997 and is responsible for the judicial proceedings in refugee cases. He graduated from the Higher Institute for Officer Training and Scientific Research. He has specializations in the proceedings for determining the state responsible for examining an application for protection at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Elitsa Sekulova has been an accountant for the Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants Program at the Bulgarian Croatian Congress since 2005 and is responsible for issues related to administrative and financial reporting and management. She graduated from the Faculty of Accounting and Control at the University of National and World Economy and has specializations in International Accounting Standards (IASs).
Elka Hristova has been a profiler at the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2017. She is responsible for the Registration and Reception Center in Sofia, Vrazhdebna district. She graduated from the Technical University – Sofia.
Desislava Tyaneva has been a legal consultant to the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2014. She is responsible for monitoring the detention center for foreigners in the town of Lyubimets. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the South-West University “Neofit Rilski” – Blagoevgrad.
Desislava Tyaneva has been a legal consultant to the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2014. She is responsible for monitoring the detention center for foreigners in the town of Lyubimets. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the South-West University “Neofit Rilski” – Blagoevgrad.
Zdravko Ivanov is a profiler at the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants and is responsible for the Registration and Reception Center in the town of Harmanli. He graduated in Business Administration/Business Management from Plovdiv University “Paisiy Hilendarski” – Plovdiv. He joined the team in 2015.
Zornitsa Chakarova has been a legal consultant to the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants since 2015. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Southwestern University “Neofit Rilski” – Blagoevgrad.
Katya Dimitrova is a legal consultant at the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. She joined the team in 2013.
Katya Dimitrova is a legal consultant at the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. She joined the team in 2013.
Omedkhan Niyazai has been a profiler for the Refugee and Migrant Legal Protection Program since 2017 and is responsible for the Registration and Reception Center in Harmanli. He completed secondary education in Pakistan. He is fluent in English, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, and Urdu.
Hristo Adamov is a profiler at the Program for Legal Protection of Refugees and Migrants and is responsible for the Transit Center – Pastrogor. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics of the Agrarian University – Plovdiv. He joined the team in 2016.
Co-Chair and Director of the Administration Program
Radoslav Stoyanov is a Master of Laws and an activist for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people since 2008. He has led a series of public interest cases concerning discrimination against LGBTI people, ethnic, religious and age minorities. He is the creator of the long-standing blog Stalik on LGBTI issues, where he promotes educational and analytical works related to this community, stigma and prejudice.
In 2012, he received the “Activist of the Year” award within the “Person of the Year 2012” award of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, and since March 2013 he has been part of the BHC team.
In 2024, Radoslav Stoyanov – together with the director of the Legal Protection program Adela Kachaunova – became co-chairs of the Bulgarian Hockey Club.
Cashier-accountant
Severina Petkova has been working at the Bulgarian Hockey Club as a cashier-accountant since July 2008. Severina has an economic education and a master’s degree in finance from the University of National and World Economy – Sofia. She has interests in the field of finance and international relations.
