News

11 November 2025

“The Ombudsman Institution can be a beacon, an eye – which is actually the emblem of the Ombudsman of Bulgaria – that monitors, warns and in all cases when it sees threats, reacts proactively.” This was stated by Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva at Panel 3 “Fundamental Rights and Civic Champions in the Crossfire of Global Politics” organized by the Center for the Study of Democracy within the framework of the conference “Defense and Democracy Dialog: Fortifying Freedom”.

The forum brought together leading politicians and analysts from Bulgaria and abroad to discuss the challenges facing security and democracy in Europe. Among the participants were Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov, government officials, MPs, security experts and leaders of civil society organizations.

The topics of the different panels included the role of NATO and regional initiatives such as the Three Seas Initiative to strengthen Europe’s Eastern Flank, tools to curb corruption and enhance accountability and ways to support civil society in the face of growing disinformation.

Velislava Delcheva stressed that if the European Union allows the foundations of democracy and the rule of law to be undermined, it will lose its role as a global champion of fundamental human rights.

“How can we avoid this? I believe that every country must start the protection of rights from within so that we, as the EU, can be successful outside the Union,” Velislava Delcheva said firmly.

She also stressed the fact that human rights, democracy and the rule of law are no longer at the top of the agenda of societies in Bulgaria and also in other European countries. She pointed to the manner of public speaking as one of the main threats.

“This, of course, was caused by several crises that we have experienced in recent years – the migrant crisis, the COVID crisis. This created an atmosphere that was favorable for the reversal of the direction of public speaking. An enormous part of the blame lies not just with states and institutions, but also with each of us as citizens. In my understanding, the maintenance of democracy, the protection of human rights and the respect for the rule of law should be everyone’s concern,” the Ombudsman pointed out.

Velislava Delcheva noted that the Judiciary is a target of criticism and pressure both in Bulgaria and in other European countries.

“Some modern countries have even changed the rules of the appointment of judges. The media are permanently under attack with, I would say, fake laws that are passed under the pretext of the protection of citizens against fake news – in fact this is a muzzle on the freedom of speech. The role of the ombudsman is extremely important in this case,” Velislava Delcheva said.

She spoke, inter alia, about the attacks on civil society organizations that represent the voice of the people.

“Speaking so is not in the interest of our society. We should not forget that civil society organizations help not just migrants; they help people in vulnerable situations too – in need of medical care, shelter, food, even to improve affordability of education. In a situation where these organizations are labeled as foreign agents and are stigmatized, this will in no way contribute to progress,” Velislava Delcheva said further.

In her view, to split society and to breed mistrust weakens the community and dulls its ability to react.

“The Ombudsman is a barrier in such a situation. Civil society organizations are a natural partner in the operation of the Ombudsman Institution and I believe that together – as partners, not as enemies – we could respond to these threats,” Velislava Delcheva emphasized.

Further, she said that civil society organizations should not be used by the institutions solely as an advisory body to validate decisions already made, but that their expertise should be harnessed in policymaking and lawmaking.

“It is my appeal that they be seen as a real partner and not as people who simply criticize the institutions and the government. Use their knowledge and their contacts with the citizens – as channels through which effective policies and laws can be implemented”, the Ombudsman said.

In conclusion, Velislava Delcheva emphasized that if we are to be successful, each citizen should know how to protect their fundamental rights.