News

1 June 2026

The first of June is not just a day for balloons, smiles, and festive wishes. Today is not the time for formal greetings either. Because beyond the celebration, it is time for an honest conversation. An honest conversation about the state of children’s rights in our country and their violation, about the systemic failures that threaten the most vulnerable part of our society on a daily basis.

That is why today, as the Ombudsman and an independent body for the protection of children’s rights, I will draw attention to the challenges and barriers faced by child-related policies, children, and families. To children living in poverty, children with disabilities, children from marginalised communities, refugee children, and children whose parents work and live abroad long-term. To these children, to whom we all—as institutions and as a society—are indebted. Because we have not done our job. If we had, we would not be reporting these alarming demographic figures today—the child population under the age of 14 has decreased by over 40%, and 2025 is set to be the year with the fewest births since records began (National Statistical Institute); the risk of poverty and social exclusion among children is over 33%. In this situation, children in Bulgaria can achieve only 61% of their development potential (World Health Organisation). This means that Bulgaria still lacks adequate policies to ensure the full development of every Bulgarian child.

Despite the progress the country has made in some areas of children’s rights, it remains incomplete. Bulgaria has yet to find the key solutions—adopting a National Strategy for Children; building a proper children’s hospital and providing modern pediatric care; a justice system that understands and listens to children; more accessible and high-quality education; and integrated family support. This situation indicates that there are a number of problems and challenges that can be highlighted in relation to the state of children’s policies in the country.

Alarming levels of discrimination and violence against children, abuse, ongoing segregation of Roma children, a decline in children’s educational skills following the pandemic, and a lack of compensatory and mitigating measures to address its adverse effects persist. The phenomenon of child and intergenerational poverty, which leads to social exclusion; as well as children who lack legal representation because their parents have been living and working abroad for an extended period.

Despite partial attempts at reform in the area of juvenile justice and the outlined courses of action, in practice there is a lack of concrete and tangible steps to fulfill this commitment by the state. In the twenty-first century, in an EU country, policies regarding children in conflict with the law are still being implemented under a law passed in 1958. A law whose very title refers to “combating” antisocial behaviour by minors… Who are we fighting—our own children? Because they are our children too, aren’t they? But instead of offering help and support, we send them behind bars and ruin their entire childhood. And the reason for this is institutional resistance and the significant delay in completing the reform of the juvenile justice system.

As Ombudsman, I am absolutely certain that urgent action is needed to effectively implement reforms in the area of juvenile justice. It is urgent to adopt a new special law in this area that meets international standards, introducing the principles of restorative justice, standards for protection against arbitrary detention, ensuring a fair trial, accessible and quality legal aid, including adequate legal representation for children in conflict with the law. 

Every day, parents and citizens approach me to say that the rights and interests of children with disabilities are not being safeguarded in the best possible way. There has been satisfactory but insufficient progress in fulfilling the state’s commitments regarding the rights of children with disabilities. The actions taken by the state have not yet had the necessary comprehensive impact on this group of children, and their problems are many—limited access to inclusive education and quality healthcare, frequent exposure to discrimination and inequality, there is a lack of early intervention services for infants and young children with developmental difficulties, and children face an inaccessible built and physical environment. Services at the local level for children with disabilities are insufficient. Some financial payments to support families of children with disabilities have been increased, but it is important to adopt a comprehensive and effective approach combining a series of targeted measures to transform the lives of children with disabilities and protect their dignity.

The online space has become an uncontrolled environment rife with violence, extortion, and the digital exploitation of children. Government mechanisms for prevention and cybersecurity are falling far behind technological reality..

Children’s rights are not a matter of charity—they are a legal obligation of the state, but also a responsibility of our society. We need immediate and meaningful reforms that will move children’s policies beyond the realm of political declarations. At the Ombudsman Institution, we will continue to exercise uncompromising oversight and hold accountable any institution that disregards or neglects the interests of children.

And yet, Happy Children’s Day to all our children!