Activities

The powers and activities of the Ombudsman are subject to regulation by the Ombudsman Act and the Rules of Procedure of the Ombudsman Institution.

According to the Ombudsman Act, the Ombudsman is independent in his/her activities and obey only the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, the laws, and the ratified international treaties whereto the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

The Ombudsman is guided by his/her personal conscience and morality. The Ombudsman performs his/her activities on the basis of the Rules of Procedure of the Ombudsman Institution.

The Ombudsman is free to act on his/her own initiative if he/she establishes that the required conditions for the protection of rights and freedoms are not in place. When acting on his/her own initiative, the Ombudsman is free to conduct inspections regarding violations that were committed more than two years ago.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman shall make proposals and recommendations to ensure respect for rights and freedoms and to eliminate the effects of violations of certain rights and freedoms or the reasons that have led thereto, including proposals for legislative amendments.

The Ombudsman shall make proposals and recommendations concerning the promotion and protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms that are threatened by private entities.

The Ombudsman shall provide opinions to the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers on bills concerning human rights protection. 

The Ombudsman shall make proposals and recommendations to the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers for accession to and/or ratification of international human rights instruments, as well as monitors and encourages the efficient implementation of international human rights instruments that have been signed and ratified. 

The Ombudsman shall refer to the Constitutional Court laws that violate individual rights and freedoms and shall seek review of their compliance with the Constitution.

The Ombudsman shall be free to approach the Supreme Court of Cassation and/or the Supreme Administrative Court to seek interpretative decisions or interpretative rulings.

The Ombudsman shall publicly voice his/her opinion on respect for rights and freedoms and may ask to be heard by the National Assembly.

The Ombudsman shall notify the Prosecutor’s Office about the outcome of his/her inspections where there is evidence that a crime has been committed.

The Ombudsman shall draw annual reports and submit them to the National Assembly. The Ombudsman shall notify the National Assembly of specific cases of violations of rights and freedoms and draw reports on them.

The Ombudsman shall perform other activities related to the respect for rights and freedoms.