23 April 2008
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to speak to the european union or anyone with power to press about Bulgaria’s Abandoned Children."
Details of Petition:
"BULGARIA’S ABANDONED CHILDREN (shown on ch 4 13th sept) Watched this program about children in Bulgaria, from various backgrounds poor or normal, had conditions such blind, deaf, learning , or parents just couldn’t cope. They were sent to 1 institution and basically fed, clothed and washed, and nothing else, all day they would sit and rock because they were developing very big mental problems inside this "care home"from 75 children about 5 a year were dying. They were malnourished the same like African children. There is no 1 to help them, most of them can’t talk, NO HELP AT ALL. In EU this shouldn’t happen, its easy to read this, but to watch the program will be an experience you cannot forget. I urge that this program is republished so people can see these horrible conditions. This program is probably the worst thing i have seen in all my life. The Bulgarian government say all is ok but they need to be pushed to give even basic care, ANIMALS ARE TREAT MUCH BETTER than these children, if they were looked after by the RSPCA they’d be in a better condition. These children do NOT need to die but they are."
Read the Government’s response
In the run-up to its Accession to the European Union Bulgaria committed to ensuring decent and equal living conditions in all child-care institutions. The programme of improvement includes closing those institutions that cannot be brought up to the required standard, developing community-based services, and reducing the high rate of child institutionalisation. The BBC programme, "Bulgaria’s Abandoned Children" highlighted disturbing conditions in the Mogilino care home and serves as a reminder that the Bulgarian government still needs to do more to reduce the number of children in large-scale, long-term institutional care.
Following the broadcast of the programme, Emilia Maslarova, Bulgarian Minister of Labour and Social Policy, and Meglena Tacheva, Minister of Justice, visited the Mogilino care home and announced that it would be closed. In the short-term, a team of specialists has since visited the home and is ensuring that each child has an individual care plan based on an assessment of their specific needs and condition. An immediate result has seen some of the children receive hospital treatment and all now have an improved diet.
The Bulgarian government is currently working with NGOs on a comprehensive plan for deinstitutionalising all children currently in homes. The EU has made available 5 million of structural funds for the execution of this plan. The UK welcomes and supports the Bulgarian government’s efforts to accelerate progress in reforms. We remain closely engaged with the Bulgarian government and with the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) community, encouraging close co-operation between the two in helping to implement the necessary reforms. Our Ambassador to Bulgaria has raised the topic with the Bulgarian Prime Minister and with the Minister of Labour and Social Policy.
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