site.btaUPDATED Protesters across Bulgaria Demand Better Protection of Children Facing Violence

Protests under the slogan “The Voice of the People Against Violence Towards Children” took place in several cities across Bulgaria on Saturday. They were organized by the We Don't Stay Silent platform to show support for children’s rights and their better protection.

The organizers also called for a fair sentence and a transparent investigation into the suspected abuse of a four-year-old by a teacher in a kindergarten in Kableshkovo. The case became known after a television report was broadcast, sparkling public outrage and calls for accountability from local authorities and institutions.

In Sofia, protesters gathered in front of the Palace of Justice. They held signs reading “A teacher should educate, not traumatise” and “Violence today leads to violence tomorrow.”

Continuous video surveillance in all kindergartens and schools, with recordings stored for a minimum of six months, is one of the protest’s demands, stated one of the organisers, Raya Ivanova, speaking to the Bulgarian News Agency. Training and testing for teachers is another proposal. The demonstrators are also calling for a national public register of convicted paedophiles. “This is a national protest, and we want to show that we are not staying silent,” Ivanova added.

Addressing the gathered citizens in Sofia, Todor, cousin of the mother of the abused child from Kableshkovo, said: "These people are at the end of their tether because they are struggling with something that, in some situations, is stronger than them. They really need this support." 

At the beginning of the month, by order of acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov, the pre-trial investigation into the case was transferred to the Varna District Prosecution Office.

In Yambol (Southeastern Bulgaria), protesters in front of the Palace of Justice held up signs reading "Behind every frightened child stands the silence of an adult," "Don't turn a blind eye today, because tomorrow it could be your child," and others. The discontent was provoked by the reaction of the magistrates in the Kableshkovo case, the protesters said.

Hristina Hristova, organizer of the protest in Yambol, told a BTA reporter: "We demand justice, we demand a better future for our children, no child deserves to be abused."

Tanya Angelova, mother of a six-year-old girl, said: "It is disgusting, everything that is happening is horrible, and especially what is not happening, no one is paying attention, but terrible things are happening. They are trying to conduct a medical examination 10 months after [the abuse], expecting to see some injuries now." 

"There should be cameras in childcare facilities, and it would be good for childcare workers to undergo some kind of psychological testing," said Ivan Petkov.

In Stara Zagora (South Central Bulgaria), the protesters demanded justice and effective measures to protect children in every Bulgarian community, as well as a transparent investigation into the abuse of a child in a kindergarten in Kableshkovo.

Roksana Koleva, a mother of two children, one of whom is a four-year-old girl, told BTA: "I am here because I want justice for myself and for all parents. We need to be confident that when we send our children somewhere, they are in a safe place."  She added that she was at the protest to defend the family from Kableshkovo.

In Pomorie (on the Black Sea), protesters chanted "Resign!" and drove their cars, using their horns as a form of protest. Speaking to the crowd gathered in front of the municipal building, Nikolay Kyuchukov from the organizers said that no parent deserves to see and experience what happened to the child in Kableshkovo. "Children are created to live. If we don't protect them, who will?" he asked. Kyuchukov said that a petition had been started calling for the Mayor's resignation.

Protesters also called for an investigation into corruption in the Municipality of Pomorie. They said there would also be a protest outside the home of Pomorie Mayor Ivan Alexiev.