News

21 May 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva held a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic missions of European Union Member States, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland accredited in Bulgaria.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman presented the main priorities of the Institution’s work, its efforts to protect human rights, and its active engagement with related international organisations.

Delcheva placed special emphasis on the successful re-accreditation of the Ombudsman Institution with the highest “A” status, in accordance with the UN Paris Principles. The public defender highlighted that the re-accreditation is an important international assessment of the Institution’s independence and effectiveness and a guarantee that it had continued to operate in accordance with the highest international standards for the protection of human rights.

During the meeting, the recommendations made during the re-accreditation process were also discussed, particularly those regarding the need for additional safeguards to ensure the Institution’s independence and financial sustainability. The Ombudsman expressed the view that the Institution should not be involved in functions that could call into question its independence and public trust.

The issue of the limited financial resources available to the Ombudsman’ Institution was also raised, particularly in light of the planned budget cuts. It was emphasised that these constraints made it difficult to attract highly qualified experts in fields such as international and European law, artificial intelligence, and monitoring mechanisms related to European policies.

Velislava Delcheva also presented the results of the Institution’s activities in 2025, noting that, for the first time in its history, more than 100,000 citizens received assistance and protection of their rights. The Ombudsman also reported a significant increase in the number of complaints and reports received by the Institution this year.

Other key topics of discussion included reform of the juvenile justice system, protection against domestic violence, the rights of people with mental illnesses, the need to reform the institution of legal incapacitation, as well as the protection of the rights of the Roma community, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The Ombudsman informed the diplomatic representatives about the establishment of a Civil Advisory Council to the Omudsman Institution, comprising representatives of civil society and independent experts, whose purpose was to assist in the formation of long-term policies in the field of human rights.