Bulgarian Ombudsman and Justice Minister to draft new juvenile justice law

Bulgaria’s Ombudsman, Velislava Delcheva, and Minister of Justice Nikolay Naydenov have launched a collaborative effort to draft a new law regarding juvenile justice. The initiative aims to overhaul the existing legal framework, which has been in place since 1958, to align it with modern international standards and contemporary principles of child rights.

The proposed reform focuses on a comprehensive approach to children in conflict with the law, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and individual support. Key elements of the new legislation include the introduction of restorative justice mechanisms, which encourage children to take responsibility and repair harm, and the establishment of specialized judicial bodies for minors.

Additionally, the reform seeks to move away from closed-type institutionalization for children, favoring the development of modern social services within the community, such as psycho-social and protective services. A joint working group involving the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, and various non-governmental organizations will be formed to develop the conceptual framework for this legislative change.