Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria Maya Manolova has invited non-profit juridical persons engaging in socially useful activities to field candidates for the post of Deputy Ombudsman, the press office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria announced on Thursday.

According to Ms Manolova, the active participation of NGOs in the process of nominating candidates will help the National Assembly make an informed, impartial, and transparent choice.

The nominations have to be accompanied by a curriculum vitae and a candidate’s motivation letter and sent by Wednesday, December 2, 2015 to 22 George Washington Street, 1202 Sofia or to v.todorova@ombudsman.bg.
Maya Manolova spoke for Radio FOCUS on Thursday evening.

“Civil organisations will be real partners in determining the work of the Ombudsman and in solving the important for citizens problems,” she said.

“When I took office I promised I would really have partnerships with civil organisations and they would be real partners of mine in determining my activity and each important for Bulgarian citizens subject. I think the election of a Deputy Ombudsman is a significant enough matter as this is the person who will provide assistance in my work on human rights issues and in the defence of the rights of Bulgarian citizens,” Maya Manolova was explicit.

According to her, it is normal partners have an active attitude within this process and the civil organisations nominate people with experience in the defence of human rights and important social causes.

“I hope we will convince MPs of the need of election of [a Deputy Ombudsman] afterwards,” Manolova stated.
In her words, a Deputy Ombudsman can play a very important role in the defence of citizens’ rights.

Maya Manolova clarified there would be preliminary selection if the nominations were too many.

She pointed out she would expect in this case the assistance of the constitutional council she had established days ago.
The council is comprised of renowned jurists.