Mothers who leave their children to be held criminally liable

“Mothers who abandon their children should be held criminally liable,” requested Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Totyu Mladenov, yesterday during the presentation of the concept of a State policy in the field of juvenile justice, drafted by the Ministry of Justice. After the forum, he added that he supported the idea for the abandonment of children in social homes to be banned. "The goal is for entrance into social homes to be closed," said Mladenov. He explained that babies should not be sent to homes for abandoned children but should be placed with foster families. By the end of the year, a new Child Protection Act has to be adopted, regulating the issues of adoption and guardianship, announced experts during the forum. Ombudsman Mr. Penchev, who participated in the discussion, insisted on the same issue. “The Ombudsman will be vigilant," he warned.

“Every child can be deflected from the criminal path, so long as the State pursues a consistent policy of prevention, of priority of education measures against criminal ones and of protecting children’s rights,” said Iva Pushkarova, who presented the concept. She added that the efforts made to protect the rights of children in Bulgaria are not common knowledge. "The work that we are doing for them is invisible and the results are disappointing," said Pushkarova.

One of the ideas included in the document, which is expected to be adopted by the Council of Ministers soon, is for individual panels at the courts to be set up, dealing with violations of the law committed by children. Investigating police officers and magistrates who will work with children will pass a special training.

“Legislative and institutional measures are needed in order for an efficient justice system for children to be introduced in our country," said Minister of Justice Margarita Popova. She explained that "the views of psychologists and psychiatrists, which are important for addressing problems properly, should be taken into consideration as well." “Reforms in this area and the commitment of all institutions involved are imperative,” said Popova.

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