The Law Faculty Presented the Book by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irina Muleshkova Entitled Legal Analysis of the International Human Rights Protection Development

The presentation of the monograph Legal Analysis of the International Human Rights Protection Development and a discussion in memory of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irina Muleshkova were organized by the Law Faculty. It is the latest book by the renowned international law jurist. Its presentation is related to the celebration of the 30^th Anniversary of the adoption of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Bulgaria which was commemorated at the end of last year.

Prof. D.Sc. Zhivko Draganov, Head of the International Law and EU Law Department, opened the event, acknowledging the significant contributions of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irina Muleshkova both in the field of research and as a lecturer and mentor. "In this university, if there is a name associated with the international law, it is the name of Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova. She has made an exceptional contribution to the development of the Department and in the future, we will continue to benefit from her achievements in both research and teaching", said Prof. Draganov.

Prof. D.Sc. Zhivko Draganov and Prof. Dr. Diana Kovacheva

"Our memories take us back to our joint work with Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova who was an exceptional professional and person. We, as her second professional family, also grieve her loss. She left a mark in all of us, left valuable works that will continue to be read. She had a distinguished academic career with multiple specializations in London, Geneva, Vienna, and Russia", said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zahary Tormanov, Dean of the Law Faculty.

The book presentation and subsequent discussion were attended by Prof. Dr. Irena Ilieva, Director of the Institute for State and Law at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences /BAS/, Prof. Diana Kovacheva, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, Prof. Gabriela Belova, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law and History at Neofit Rilsky South-West University, professors from St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia, lawyers from the Commission for Protection against Discrimination, colleagues from the Law Faculty, former students and specialists in international public law.

The book Legal Analysis of the International Human Rights Protection Development was presented by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria Prof. Dr. Diana Kovacheva, lecturer in the International Law and EU Law Department. "Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irina Muleshkova is a figure of great significance in the international public law. She was a precise, thorough scholar and researcher. She was a lecturer who possessed a deep understanding of the subject matter she taught. Science is a vocation and a responsibility, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irina Muleshkova was a jurist who was not hesitant to share her knowledge", said Prof. Dr. Diana Kovacheva who has known Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova since her student years.

According to Prof. Diana Kovacheva the monograph is extremely valuable for both researchers and practitioners working in the field of human rights protection. The book provides a historical overview of the concepts of fundamental human rights from antiquity, through the focus of Bulgaria, to the present.

In addition, she examines the matter of human rights protection not only from the perspective of constitutional law but also from the standpoint of its international legal aspects. "In this way, a bold step forward is taken because constitutional directions for personal rights are dressed in appropriate international legal standards", is the opinion of Prof. Dr. Diana Kovacheva.

According to her, this monograph gives due recognition to the contribution of international law to the development of fundamental human rights. The book also includes an analysis of different types of discrimination and the international responsibility of states in case of failure to fulfill obligations for the protection of minority rights.

Colleagues from the International Law and EU Law Department expressed their views during the discussion, acknowledging her remarkable work and overall achievements. The reprinting of the monograph was discussed due to the significant interest in it. It will be published on the new webpage of the Law Faculty.

Her former colleagues from the Commission for Protection against Discrimination emphasized on the significant contributions of Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova in establishing the "first commission" and the revolutionary decisions she has made in the field of labor law. They also highlighted the practices she introduced, which continue to be implemented to this day.

All participants in the discussion were unanimous in their view that Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irina Muleshkova has made a lasting impact on both the academic and practical aspects of law. They acknowledged her as an enlightener in the field of human rights.

Muleshkova, Irina Nikolova /1957-2019/

Assoc. Prof. Irina Muleshkova was born in Sofia. She completed her undergraduate studies at St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia in 1981, speciality Law. She obtained her Doctoral degree in 1986 with a dissertation entitled "Some Theoretical and Practical Issues of the Participation of the People's Republic of Bulgaria in the International Legal Regulation of Fisheries which she defended at Moscow State University "M.V. Lomonosov", USSR. She has pursued specialization programmes at various institutions, including the United Nations, UNCTAD, Vienna, and Geneva /1992/; University of Essex, London /1993/; and the Institute for Human Rights - Turku, Finland /2000/. She is a member of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination since 2005 and the International Law Association based in London.

Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova is one of the leading Bulgarian researchers in several areas of international law, including international maritime law, international protection of human rights, international protection of women's rights, international labor and employment standards, and more.

Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova has held consecutive academic positions starting as an assistant in 1988, followed by senior assistant in 1990 and associate professor in 1995. She has been the Head of the Public Law Sciences Department at UNWE Law Faculty from 1995 to 2004 and the Deputy Dean of the UNWE Law Faculty from 2004 to 2005. She has been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Privatization Agency /1995-1997/ and the Specialized Scientific Council for Legal Sciences at the Higher Attestation Commission /HAC/.

Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova has taught lecture courses on international public law, international organizations, and international human rights law. She is the author of numerous publications, including The Individual in Contemporary International Public Law, Sofia: Petex, 1992 – p.184; The Legal Subjectivity of the Individual in Contemporary International Public Law, study, Sofia: University Publishing House "Stoianstvo", 1991 – p.32; and The Right to Self-Determination of Nations/Peoples, Minorities and Indigenous Peoples // Works on International Law - Sofia, 7, 2012, p. 39-66.

Assoc. Prof. Muleshkova has made a significant contribution to the development of research in the field of international public law in Bulgaria. She played a key role in establishing the International Law and EU Law Department of at UNWE Law Faculty and in solidifying UNWE as a research center in the field. The work in the reader's hands is a premature culmination of Assoc. Prof. Irina Muleshkova's scientific creativity. Its fundamental nature reveals the author's profound dedication to research and serves as a testament to the enormous loss suffered by the scientific community due to her untimely passing.