site.btaBest Option for Protection of Citizens' Rights Is Network of Ombudsmen

Sofia, April 23 (BTA) - The best option for the protection of the citizens' rights is the network of ombudsmen, national and local, National Ombudsman Maya Manolova said Monday, speaking at a public discussion on amendments to the Local Self-government and Local Administration Act which regulate the election and powers of ombudsmen across municipalities.

The discussion was organized by the office of the National Ombudsman and the National Association of Ombudsmen in Bulgaria.

Manolova said that there are many cases when the rights of the citizens are violated or jeopardized, that people "have a desperate need of protection of their rights," and that the institution to support them and stand by them is the institution of the local and national ombudsman.

Manolova singled out two main problems in the election of ombudsmen in municipalities. The first problem is the required majority of 2/3 of the municipal council for the election to be valid, and the second is the financing which is provided by the municipal budget. Manolova said the suggested amendments provide for target financing for the position from the national budget, and election of an ombudsman in all municipalities with population above 10,000 people which is to be with a lesser than 2/3 majority.

Manolova argued that the work of the National Ombudsman will be more effective if there are local ombudsmen in all Bulgarian municipalities.

Other participants in the discussion suggested that ombudsmen should not be elected by the municipal councils but by the people. Also, there should be ombudsmen only in municipalities which want the institution.

Representatives of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria said that in small municipalities people tend to know one another personally and do not need mediation between the mayor and the municipal councillors. Also, there should be a local network of ombudsmen only when the local community wants it, expressed in a resolution of the municipal council.