Text size

Parliament to address mental health

published on 11/23/23 2:53 PM

Photo: Facebook/Mental Health

With 137 votes in favour, the National Assembly has set up a temporary committee to protect the rights of the mentally ill.

The committee will examine violations found in the country by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment at the end of March this year, as well as those reported by the Bulgarian Ombudsman.

Legislative amendments are being prepared. The sponsors of We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria aim to abolish compulsory detention and deinstitutionalise mental health institutions. "Obviously, the authors have no idea what compulsory detention under the Mental Health Act is - on what occasions, when, how and in what way it is imposed," said Branimir Balachev of GERB.

The European Committee report said that patients complained that orderlies shouted at them and hit them, that rooms were often overcrowded and conditions in wards were distinctly prison-like, and that staffing was grossly inadequate.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News ammendments European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment investigation mentally ill parliament temporary committee

More from category

Bulgarian electricity exports guarantee the electricity balance in the Balkans

Bulgaria remains a net exporter of electricity and one of the pillars of the energy system in Southeast Europe. Electricity exports exceed imports by 3.1% in 2024. According to this indicator, the country ranks 11th in Europe. Among the..

published on 10/23/25 10:08 AM

Sofia University takes over the presidency of the “Transform4Europe” alliance for one year

At a ceremony at the Vytautas Magnus University in the Lithuanian city of Kaunas , the rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Prof. Georgi Valchev, accepted the rotating presidency of the international university alliance..

published on 10/23/25 8:43 AM

Karin Dom presents awards named after its benefactor Ivan Stanchov

For the third consecutive year, Karin Dom – Varna is organizing the charitable initiative “Ivan Stanchov Awards” in memory of the Bulgarian diplomat and founder of the organization, Ambassador Ivan Stanchov. On October 23, awards will be presented..

published on 10/23/25 7:10 AM