In a new open letter from its Secretary General, ENNHRI calls for the safeguarding of the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria and its leadership. This comes as national authorities seek to appoint a new caretaker Prime Minister. As set out in national law, the leadership of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) is among the office holders under consideration for the role. ENNHRI is concerned that such an appointment would seriously undermine the NHRI’s independence, going against international standards on NHRIs.

A central requirement of these standards – the UN Paris Principles – is that an NHRI is legally, structurally, and functionally independent of government. This allows for the institution to operate independently of political forces in the country.

These standards were recently reaffirmed by the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). The SCA is the international body responsible for accrediting NHRIs.

Considering the Bulgarian NHRI in October 2025, it highlighted that “a provision in law which provides that the Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman can become caretaker Prime Minister may impact on the real or perceived independence of an NHRI.”

In line with the subsequent SCA recommendation and the position of Velislava Delcheva (the Ombudsperson of Bulgaria), ENNHRI encourages the amendment of the Ombudsman Act to avoid this consideration in future. It also calls on national authorities to ensure respect for international and regional standards on NHRIs and to safeguard the independence of the Bulgarian NHRI and its leadership.

Strong and independent NHRIs are indispensable to the national system of checks and balances in a healthy democracy. Any undue interference in the work or independence of the Ombudsman institution and its leadership hinders this system. Indeed, it may threaten the rule of law in Bulgaria.

ENNHRI remains available to provide further information on relevant international and regional standards. It also stands ready to support national authorities in Bulgaria to respect requirements for an independent and effective A-status Bulgarian NHRI.

Read and download the letter here.

Learn more about ENNHRI’s work on supporting NHRIs under threat.