UN should demand action on children's rights in Bulgaria

20 May 2008, Sofia, Budapest and Geneva. Civil society organisations call on the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to require the Bulgarian government to better protect the rights of children with mental disabilities.

Tomorrow the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) will examine Bulgaria's second periodic report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. For this occasion, shadow reports were submitted by the Mental Disability Advocacy Center and the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee* to provide the CRC with supplementary information on Bulgaria's compliance with the Convention. In particular, the shadow reports highlight the denial of the right to education of children with intellectual disabilities living in institutions.

Bulgaria has one of the highest proportions of institutionalised children in the EU. A recent BBC documentary showed how many children languish in appalling conditions in institutions which provide no education or therapy of any kind. Such institutions often neglect children's basic needs such as food and medical care, and segregate children with disabilities from society. They also offer little protection from emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

"Unfortunately the Bulgarian government admitted the problem of the very existence of numerous, large-scale children's institutions very late and only partially," said Slavka Kukova of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee. "The government lacks expertise and political will to effectively protect all children in institutions by supporting biological, foster or adoptive families to take quality care of their children to prevent abandonment."

Of particular concern to the civil society organisations is the absence of an adequate monitoring system in relation to children's institutions, including effective follow up and a system of penalties and oversight of management of the institutions. As a result, children living in these institutions continue to suffer violations of their rights.

Victoria Lee, MDAC Legal Officer responsible for Bulgaria, commented: "The recent entry into force of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides ideal timing for the CRC to enhance its focus on the rights of children with disabilities. We urge the CRC to raise these issues with the Bulgarian government and engage their commitment by setting out specific recommendations for follow up action."

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* BHC's shadow report deals with all issues facing children in Bulgaria and is not limited to the situation of children with mental disabilities.