EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/693

(2004/C 88 E/0712)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0248/04

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(3 February 2004)

Subject: Roma children in Bulgaria

Is the Commission aware that a very large number of children leaving Bulgaria for countries abroad are healthy infants with at least one traceable parent and that 90 % of the total number are from ethnic minorities? Furthermore, 65 % of children in institutional care are of Roma origin.

The 2003 EU Accession Partnership Agreement states that Bulgaria must ‘ensure the childcare system is reformed so as to systematically reduce the number of children in institutional care and in particular through developing alternative social services aimed at children and families’.

Could the Commission be specific about how Bulgaria's accession process is helping to ensure support will be given, in particular to Roma children and their families, and what steps the Commission proposes if demonstrable improvements in the situation are not seen in the lead-up to accession in 2007?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 March 2004)

The Commission is aware of the information the Honourable Member provides on the high proportion of Roma children in a number of institutional care facilities. The Commission is also aware of the situation regarding international adoption in Bulgaria.

In the 2003 Regular Report on Bulgaria's progress towards accession, the Commission has described the situation and issues concerning child welfare and the Roma minority. The Commission is closely monitoring progress in these areas and holds regular consultations with relevant Bulgarian authorities in this respect. The Bulgarian authorities have launched efforts to reduce the high number of children in institutional care. Reforms to the legal framework for child protection and anti-discrimination policy have been adopted; the challenge now is to ensure full enforcement of this new legislation and the recently adopted de-institutionalisation action plan. Furthermore, a new Action Plan for the implementation of the ‘Framework Programme for Equal Integration of Roma into Bulgarian Society’ provides specific budgetary support for measures such as improved access to, and quality of, education of Roma children as well as social protection of Roma families. The Commission has emphasised that determined and sustained efforts are needed to fight the widespread social disadvantage affecting the Roma community.

The Commission has raised the need for better regulation of the rules concerning adoption, including international adoption. In 2003, amendments to the Law on Family provided for a clearer system. However, further efforts are necessary to ensure that inter-country adoption should remain a measure of last resort, used only when in the best interests of the child.

The Commission has supported Bulgaria's efforts in these areas through pre-accession funding under the PHARE programme. On child welfare, assistance has been provided to improve policies and the provision of care for socially marginalised children – including a significant number of Roma children. It provided support and training to the national State Agency for Child Protection, the new Bulgarian body charged with overseeing child welfare reform, and local Child Protection Departments. It also aimed to support the Bulgarian Government in the design of alternative forms of child care and in the reform of management and care of children in a number of selected homes. Other projects are being implemented to improve social services for the disabled, to increase school attendance by Roma children and social integration of vulnerable groups.

Further relevant pre-accession assistance to Roma children and their families is envisaged in the framework of multi-annual programming for the 2004-2006 period currently under discussion with the Bulgarian authorities.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor Bulgaria's respect for human rights and freedoms, including in relation to the Roma community and child welfare.

Assessment of Bulgaria's progress towards accession and the accession negotiations will continue on the same basis and principles that applied to the ten Acceding States.