News

21 August 2023

The Ombudsman Prof. Diana Kovacheva met today with the American Ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten. The National Public Defender introduced His Excellency to the activities of the institution and the most common problems for which tens of thousands of people seek support from her, relating to violated human rights. In the past year, the number of citizens and representatives of organisations who received assistance from the Ombudsman was 74,383, and this is a record in the nearly 20-year history of the institution.

 Prof. Kovacheva and Ambassador Merten also discussed the alarming trend of increasing cases of hate speech, domestic violence, violated rights of people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

The Ombudsman informed H.E. Kenneth Merten of her joint activities with over 300 non-governmental organisations, as well as of the successful legislative proposals, constitutional appeals and the cooperation of the institution with the Bulgarian government.