Bulgaria officially joined the UN INSPIRE initiative, becoming the 47th country committed to the prevention and counteraction of violence against children. This event was announced following a meeting between the Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev and Dr. Najat Ma"jid, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, held during the sessions of the UN General Assembly in New York. The announcement was released by the Ministry of Justice.
Protecting Children – A National Priority
Minister Georgiev emphasized that protecting children"s rights is a national priority for Bulgaria. "Joining INSPIRE will enable Bulgaria to utilize the best international practices and proven mechanisms for protecting children – from online bullying to sexual offenses, which, unfortunately, are increasing globally", he stated, describing the seriousness of the problem. He highlighted the transnational nature of crimes against children in the age of the globalized internet, emphasizing the need for international coordination and joint action.
According to information from the Ministry of Justice, within the framework of the initiative, Bulgaria will implement globally proven methods and tools in justice, social services, and healthcare. Specialized training is planned for police officers, prosecutors, judges, and other specialists working with children – victims or witnesses of violence. The goal is to ensure the application of international standards for a gentle and effective approach to children and their families. We can expect an increase in the qualification of specialists involved in such a delicate area.
Bulgarian Experience and Good Practices
Minister Georgiev presented to the UN the Bulgarian experience and established good practices, including the "Zone Protection" model – a service offering comprehensive support for children who have suffered violence, as well as the network of "blue rooms" for gentle questioning of children in court proceedings. He gave an example of the courts in Ruse, where this model has been successfully implemented and integrated into institutional work, indicating a successful example of national practice.
Dr. Najat Ma"jid highly appreciated Bulgaria"s efforts in combating violence against children and welcomed the joining of the INSPIRE initiative. She emphasized the importance of combining national efforts with global solidarity to address the modern challenges to the protection of children. Her words support the importance of international cooperation in this area.
Joining INSPIRE is in line with the commitments of the Bulgarian government and the Ministry of Justice for effective reform in juvenile justice and an adequate institutional response to violence, including domestic violence. This demonstrates Bulgaria_q_s serious approach to this important issue.
Inter-Ministerial Approach
The presence of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in New York during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, along with several ministers, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgi Georgiev, the Minister of Health Silvi Kirilov, the Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov, and the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov, underlines the importance that Bulgaria attaches to its participation in international initiatives, as well as the inter-ministerial approach to solving problems of national importance.