This petition is addressed not only to the Bulgarian authorities, but to European and international institutions, as the initiative affects EU cohesion, global security, and the authentic fight for justice and peace for people affected by war and genocide. 

Last week, Bulgaria's outgoing government, led by resigned Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, announced Bulgaria's participation in a new "peace board" initiative associated with Donald Trump, without prior parliamentary debate, public consultation, or a clear democratic mandate. Such a step would be illegitimate and create international expectations of long-term political commitment on behalf of Bulgaria.

This is not a purely domestic matter. The initiative has direct and far-reaching implications for international security, risks undermining cohesion within the European Union and NATO, seeks to promote a politically controlled structure as an alternative to the United Nations, and legitimizes individuals accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. These cross-border consequences place the decision firmly within the realm of international concern.

In the absence of transparency and public debate, Bulgaria is being drawn into a platform linked to leaders and regimes that have been widely criticised for undermining international law, human rights and democratic governance. Participation in structures that provide support or legitimacy to individuals facing international scrutiny and credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity is detrimental to Bulgaria's moral standing and contradicts our commitments to the rule of law.

Bulgaria must not be drawn into opaque geopolitical projects that serve the agendas of third parties. If the suspicions that a Magnitsky-sanctioned political actor influenced this decision are revealed to be true, it would constitute a democratic scandal and a national security risk. This possibility is so grave that it requires immediate transparency, parliamentary scrutiny, and an independent institutional review of who initiated the decision, who negotiated it, and what - if anything - was promised in exchange.

According to the Charter, which is said to have been signed on behalf of Bulgaria, the proposed governance model would see decision-making power concentrated in a single office. Despite member states' involvement, it appears that the ultimate decision-making authority lies with a single leader, with inadequate mechanisms to ensure accountability. Participating in this format could result in Bulgaria giving up its national voice and aligning with an opaque, centralised structure that operates outside established multilateral mechanisms.

The reported requirement of a shocking one-billion-dollar contribution in the first year raises urgent questions of public finance and accountability. As one of the poorest countries in the EU, currently facing inflation, cost-of-living, housing and healthcare crises, this sudden "investment" would be a crime against the needs of the population. For years, nurses and medical specialists have been protesting over and over again for dignified wages, only to be told "we do not have enough money". The Bulgarian government in resignation is currently in the process of concluding its affairs before the snap election in March. It is imperative that it provides the citizens with a clear response to the following question: has it made any financial commitments?

Bulgaria has been committed to achieving humanitarian goals, including reconstruction efforts connected to relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. However, the terms of the agreement could potentially create an alternative, politically controlled structure instead of strengthening legitimate United Nations mechanisms. This is particularly concerning in the context of the Gaza Strip, where the rights of victims and survivors to truth, justice, and accountability must be upheld, and the right to self-determination must be respected.

At this stage, the initiative does not have the support of neither the European Union, nor the Bulgarian people. Participation carries the risk of undermining trust built over decades and introducing division within the EU and NATO, strategic choices anchored in Bulgaria's democratic development and security.

We therefore call for the following action to be taken:
- The withdrawal of Bulgaria's signature from the founding documents of this initiative is to be implemented with immediate effect.
- An immediate moratorium on any actions aimed at implementing Bulgaria's participation.
- Prior to any strategic foreign-policy commitments being made in Bulgaria's name, a transparent public debate and parliamentary vote must conducted.
- A formal parliamentary inquiry into any contacts, intermediaries and external pressure related to Bulgaria's inclusion. This will include any role played by individuals who have been sanctioned in connection with the Magnitsky case.
- All documents, financial commitments and correspondence related to the initiative must be fully disclosed to the public.