Icelandic Children’s Ombudsman: Children Need to Know that there is Someone to Represent them to the Authorities
Mrs. Salvör Nordal is a guest of National Network for Children in connection with the long-term efforts of the organization to establish an institution of children’s ombudsman in Bulgaria
During her visit from 21 to 26 June this year, Ms. Nordal met with the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria Prof. Dr. Diana Kovacheva, with MPs from the Committee on Labor, Social and Demographic Policy and the Committee on the issues of children, youth and sports in the 47th National Assembly, with the Minister of Education and Science Acad. Nikolay Denkov and with the Deputy Minister of Justice Borislav Ganchev.
On June 22, 2022, Mrs. Nordal gave a press conference in the presence of Mr. Georgi Bogdanov, Executive Director of National Network for Children, and Dr. Eva Zhecheva – Director of the Directorate for Children’s Rights at the Ombudsman Institution of Bulgaria.
“The most important thing for the ombudsman’s position is for him to have independence and autonomy, and also to be able to decide for himself on which topics and issues to focus on,” Mrs Nordal said, adding that the focus of her work was on children’s participation in counseling and decision-making that are important to their lives.
“The work of the children’s ombudsman is advocacy – to systematically and purposefully put children on the agenda of the government. It is also important for the children themselves to know that they have a representative before the government, with whom they can contact, talk and who will stand by them, “said Mrs. Nordal. “Every two years, the children’s ombudsman of Iceland organized a forum for children from all over the country. During the meeting, there is a session in which the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Education and Environment participate without prior preparation, and the children can directly ask them questions on topics that interest them. ”
“Interest in children’s rights has increased in the European Union over the past few years. Iceland will chair the Council of Europe from November this year and children’s rights will be one of the main topics, “said Mrs Nordal.
“The visit is in connection with the long-term efforts and advocacy work of National Network for Children to establish the institution of Ombudsman for Children in Bulgaria to protect the interests, rights and needs of children. “It is part of a joint project with the Active Citizens Fund for the exchange of experience with a functioning institution such as the one in Iceland,” said Georgi Bogdanov at the opening of the press conference. “Children’s rights are a neglected topic by Bulgarian politicians and the child protection system need to be reformed,” he stressed.
“In the Bulgarian democratic system there is an important place for the children’s ombudsman. It can bring new energy, strength and mechanisms to protect children’s rights, “said Ms. Eva Zhecheva.
Why a child ombudsman is needed in Bulgaria?
- The data from the annual monitoring report of National Network for Children “Notebook: What is the average success of the state in child care”, as well as the annual report of the Ombudsman, show that in practice we lack a protection system and we witness violations children’s rights.
- Bulgaria is one of the first countries in terms of the share of disadvantaged children – in the last ten years over 400,000 children in our country live at risk of poverty and social exclusion and this is a lasting trend.
- There is a lack of prevention of violence at school, on the street, in the family.
- Many children are deprived of access to health services and equal access to quality education.
- Early childhood education and care services are outdated compared to European practices.
- Bulgaria is the only country in the European Union without a National Multidisciplinary Children’s Hospital.
- In our country, juvenile justice remains subject to the outdated law on combating anti-social behavior of minors from 1958.
- No additional support has been developed for children with special educational needs and accessible architectural environment.
- Currently, the only structure in charge of protecting children’s rights – the State Agency for Child Protection, linked hierarchically, operationally, functionally and financially with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, fails to adequately and comprehensively defend the rights of Bulgarian children.