Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria on focus in global fight for protection of rights of people with disabilities

After visiting different child care facilities in Bulgaria where children with different degree of disabilities are raised, the Founder and Executive Director of the Disability Rights International Eric Rosenthal came to the conclusion that these facilities are some kind of a place where ”worthless people are kept” in Bulgaria. In his words, the lives of these children don’t cost a penny for society which is a sign of poor social policy, care and poor healthcare but is also a violation of fundamental human rights. There is a UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Eric Rosenthal says. It protects the right of absolutely everyone to live in the community and enjoy the opportunity to have a choice, like all other people.

For the first time in history three disability rights organizations- the European Network on Independent Living, the Center for Independent Living and Validity Foundation, have initiated court proceedings against the European Commission for failing to halt EU infrastructure funding being used by Bulgaria to build institutions for persons with disabilities. The free European funding of the services provided to elderly people and people with disabilities in Bulgaria amounts to EUR 18 million. The money will be used for the construction, furnishing and equipment of 6 day-care centers and 68 care homes for elderly people, people with disabilities and people with mental health problems. The funds will be allotted to 29 municipalities. With each set to build up to nine new facilities for over 1,000 people.

Although Bulgaria voiced commitment towards deinstitutionalization, the EU funding will be used for setting up small and specialized homes for accommodation with children with disabilities. According to the non-governmental organizations, this will not solve the serious problems causing discrimination, social exclusion and segregation of these people. After receiving a refusal by the EC to halt these types of investments, the three disability rights organizations had no other option, but to approach the EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The images of the children from the child-care facilities must awaken our just anger, Steven Allen, Executive Director of Validity Foundation-Mental Disability Advocacy Centre says and adds:

English version: Kostadin Atanasov



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Ekaterina Kvaratskhelia from Georgia: Peace is a blessing that we should not take for granted

In 1992, a child from Georgia packed her entire life into a small black canvas bag to escape the horror of the bombs… The war through her eyes and the most terrible memories that mark her entire life are described in the..

published on 4/15/25 12:55 PM

Bosilegrad hosts the 32nd edition of the Children's Easter Festival

For the 32nd time, the Children's Easter Festival will bring together Bulgarian children from different countries in Bosilegrad, Serbia, giving them a chance not only to showcase their skills in crafting the most beautiful and original Easter eggs but..

published on 4/15/25 12:20 PM

INSAIT has been positioning Bulgaria on the world's technological map for 3 years

Since its establishment on April 11, 2022, the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology – INSAIT has achieved a number of successes and continues to position Bulgaria on the world's technological map...

published on 4/11/25 12:23 PM