site.btaOmbudsman Defends Bulgaria’s Top Human Rights Institution Status before UN

Bulgaria’s Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has successfully defended the reaccreditation of the country’s National Human Rights Institution with the highest possible "A" status under the Paris Principles, the Ombudsman’s Office said on Monday.

The decision was taken at the final 2025 session of the UN Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), with formal notification sent by the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.

"A" status confirms full compliance with the Paris Principles and attests to the institution’s independence, impartiality, pluralism, transparency and broad mandate to protect and promote human rights.

At the same time, the SCA noted that a recent legal provision allowing the Ombudsman or a Deputy Ombudsman to serve as caretaker prime minister could affect the institution’s reputation and effective independence. The Sub-Committee recommended continued advocacy for amendments to Article 99(5) of the Constitution and Article 14(1) of the Ombudsman Act to remove this provision.

Holding "A" status enables Bulgaria’s National Human Rights Institution to raise national issues at the highest international human rights forums and to participate fully in UN human rights bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council. Only 20 EU Member States have institutions with this status.

Established in 2005, the Ombudsman was initially accredited with “B” status. Following legislative reforms adopted by the National Assembly in 2018, the institution was formally designated as Bulgaria’s National Human Rights Institution with an expanded mandate, including oversight of private-law actors. After meeting all SCA recommendations, Bulgaria first obtained “A” status in March 2019.

The status was successfully defended again in October 2025 after a hearing in Geneva, confirming the institution’s sustainability, independence and effectiveness.