The Roma minority in Bulgaria suffers from discrimination, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Gil-Robles said after his meeting with President-elect Georgi Parvanov on December 19. He conceded that this is a result of the whole economic situation in Bulgaria, but underscored that the problem must be solved. Alvaro Gil-Robles told President-elect Parvanov that his visit left him with mixed feelings. “Bulgaria has made considerable progress in the field of human rights protection, but there is a lot more to be done,” he said, pointing out the economic development and the high unemployment rate as the hardest obstacles Bulgaria has to overcome. According to him serious problems are posed by the mental hospitals and the rampant violence in the police. A report will be prepared by the Human Rights Commissioner, including Bulgaria’s achievements as well as what is still to be done in the future.