Rights, Freedoms, and Obligations of Citizens
The framework
The Constitution's second chapter guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms. Key features: rights are guaranteed to all persons, not only citizens, unless the text says otherwise; restrictions are possible only by law and only for constitutionally listed reasons (national security, public order, health, rights of others); and the essence of a right cannot be abolished. The Constitution states that rights and freedoms are exercised without discrimination.
Specific rights
Civil rights include the right to life, personal liberty and security, privacy, inviolability of the home, freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of expression and the press, and the right to property. Political rights include the right to vote (from 18), freedom of association, assembly, and the right to petition. Social and economic rights include the right to work, fair remuneration, social security, health care, education (compulsory until a certain age), and a healthy environment. Procedural guarantees include access to a court, the presumption of innocence, the right to defence, and the prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment.
Obligations
Citizens must observe the Constitution and laws, pay taxes, defend the country, and preserve the environment. Some rights attach to Bulgarian citizens only: the right to vote in national elections, the right to stand for Parliament, and certain property rights over land.
Traps and rule of thumb
Traps: assuming all rights are limited to citizens (many are universal); confusing the 18-year voting age with the age of majority for other purposes; and thinking rights can be restricted by administrative act rather than by law. Rule of thumb: ask 'person or citizen?' - if the text does not say 'citizen', the right belongs to everyone.