site.btaCouncil of Europe Accuses Bulgaria of Not Caring Properly for Mentally Ill

(BTA Corr. Nikolay Jelyazkov) - The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) issued an open statement to Bulgaria on Thursday, accusing the Bulgarian authorities of not making the necessary efforts for people with mental illness in the country.

The committee has visited Bulgaria 14 times since 1995 and has repeatedly expressed its deep concern over irregularities in the treatment, conditions and legal protection of people with mental disorders and those accommodated in social institutions over the past 25 years, the statement read. It is noted that cases of physical abuse were identified at each visit, as were cases of a lack of a decent environment, shortage of employees and illegal and unofficial immobilization of people accommodated in social institutions.

Over the years, delegations have reported numerous complaints from occupants of such institutions, including for threats and abuse. Unfortunately, the committee had to conclude that the Bulgarian authorities have not taken the necessary measures, despite several detailed recommendations on this issue. Additionally, the committee has repeatedly condemned the terrible hygiene in some social care homes in Bulgaria. The statement added that the shortage of staff in these homes was "permanent and deplorable". Those accommodated in social homes in Bulgaria have in fact been abandoned by the state, the statement read.

As for psychiatric hospitals, there is a persistent lack of a decisive response from the Bulgarian authorities to prevent all forms of ill-treatment and to send a clear and unambiguous message to staff that they will be punished for violations. The concluding remarks in the statement recommend urgent action in all areas - legislation, infrastructure, staff and training, as well as the development of biopsychosocial treatments in line with Europe's current approach to caring for the mentally ill.

With this statement, the Committee wants to encourage and support the Bulgarian authorities, especially the Ministries of Health and Labour and Social Policy, to take decisive action in accordance with the core values that Bulgaria has accepted as a country of the Council of Europe and the European Union. The long-standing recommendations should be seen as a means of helping the Bulgarian authorities identify shortcomings and make the necessary changes, the statement added. RY/DT