Bulgaria (Oct 2019) - Article 33

1 - WILLINGNESS TO APPLY THE CRPD.
Do you feel that the political and administrative authorities of your country are strongly committed to/involved in fully implementing the CRPD?

Yes

2 - FOCAL POINTS.
Have the focal points (i.e. points of contact) provided for in article 33-1 of the CRPD been designated in your country?

 Under negotiations with the Government

3 - ROLE.

What is, or will be, their role?

State agency – for coordination

National Council of the people with disabilities and the Ombudsman of RB - monitoring

4 - COORDINATION OF ACTIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CRDP AND FOCAL POINTS.
How are the focal points and the actions for the CRPD's implementation coordinated?

The Government wants – the Ministry of labour and social policy

We want a state agency to be appointed

5 - PROMOTION OF THE CRPD.
How does your country go about promoting the CRPD?

Our Government , Parliament , Ministry of labour and social policy, Agency of people with disabilities and all organizations of people with disabilities have published in their web-sites the UN CRPD, translated into Bulgarian. Also, the Ministry of labour and social policy, the Agency of people with disabilities, the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria and other organizations of people with disabilities are organizing conferences and seminars concerning all articles of the UN CRPD and their implementation. And finally some private TV channels are broadcasting some special discussions with representatives of the Government or its' structures who are in charge and representatives of organizations of people with disabilities regarding the UN CRPD and its' implementation in Republic of Bulgaria.

6 - PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS INCLUDED IN THE CRPD.
Which national authority is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the rights included in the CRPD?

Council of Ministers and the Agency for people with disabilities

7 - MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CRPD.
In your country, which authority is in charge of monitoring the implementation of the CRPD?

Not appointed yet.

8 - ROLE OF ASSOCIATIONS OF BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS. How are the associations of blind or visually impaired persons involved in the implementation of the CRPD?

By taking part in coordination and monitoring

9 - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
Have any additional resources (human or financial) been been made available for the implementation of the CRPD?

No.

10 - CRPD IMPLEMENTATION MONITORING REPORT.
Depending on the date on which your country ratified the CRPD, is it required to submit a report to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? If it is, has it done so?

The first biannual report is under preparation.

11 - SHADOW REPORT.
Have the associations of persons with disabilities presented the so-called shadow report?

 No

12 - COMMENTS.

Do you have any comments on the implementation of the CRPD in your country?

No.

Update and Additional information 2019: (Sarah Woodin)

The Persons with Disabilities Act (1 Jan 2019) created a  Monitoring Council with 9 members, to observe and report on compliance with CRPD. It includes representatives of the Ombudsman, the Protection Against Discrimination Commission, organisations of, and for, persons with disabilities, and academics.

The National Council for Persons with Disabilities was created in the government Council of Ministers (the government). Members represent the state, organisations of, and for, persons with disabilities, employees’ organisations, employers’ organisations, and municipalities. Its role is to give opinions on draft legislation and strategic programmes and plans.

The Helsinki Committee (Shadow report 2017) reports that legislation to provide for a co-ordinating and monitoring authority are planned for 2020.

The CRPD Committee (2018 Concluding observations) has expressed concern at the delays, lack of independent monitoring mechanism and lack of involvement of disabled people. Also noted was a lack of involvement of under-represented groups.