The UPR procedure involves a review of the human rights records of all 192 Unite Nations Member States once every four years. The UPR hearings are held under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council, where Norway is currently a member, and provide the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries.
Norway’s conclusions and recommendations to the Bulgarian authorities touched upon a number of human rights issues.
The Norwegian representatives urged Bulgaria to establish procedures and mechanisms to ensure the health and safety of all children in institutions, as well as to bring to justice the persons and social institutions responsible for 238 reported unaccounted child deaths in the period 2000–2010. Norway recommended that Bulgaria should swiftly close all social institutions for children and find appropriate solution for children who cannot live with their families.
Norway believes also that further affirmative action should be taken, so as to accelerate the equality for women in practice, both in working life and in political decision making.
The implementation of the rights of sexual minorities should be supported more actively as a means to fight social isolation and discrimination. Poverty-struck vulnerable groups such as elderly women, mothers with children and women with disabilities should get appropriate protection.
It is highly desirable that media ownership gets more diversified and cases of intimidation and harassment against journalists duly investigated, so as to safeguard press freedom.
Norway believes that a Bulgarian children ombudsman institution should be established, the situation of the Roma population should also be effectively addressed.
The implementation of the UPR recommendation should be done in close cooperation with Bulgarian civil society, whereby a high level of transparency and inclusiveness is recommended. Norway will contribute to the practical improvement in the aforementioned areas through the EEA Financial Mechanism.
You can read Norway’s statement on human rights in Bulgaria here.