MP welcomes Bulgarian Response to BBC Documentary
Tuesday 15th January 2008
Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Des Browne was pleased to learn this week that a children’s home in Bulgaria which featured in a BBC documentary is to be closed.
In November last year the TV documentary, "Bulgaria's Abandoned Children" was broadcast by the BBC in which it showed disturbing conditions in a care home. Des Browne MP was contacted by concerned constituents who had watched the documentary.
Des Browne MP said:
“After being approached by the constituents I wrote to The Foreign Secretary relaying their concern. He has since advised that the home is to close. I welcome the response of the Bulgarian Government. However I would like to thank the constituents who approached me, who know who they are, as they can take some credit for this positive outcome. I am in doubt that public pressure played an important part in bringing about this positive outcome.”
Following the broadcast of the documentary Bulgarian Ministers visited the Mogilino Care Home. The Bulgarian Government, UNICEF Bulgaria and other child protection organisations met to coordinate immediate action and to prepare an action plan for the smooth closure of the institution.
Des Browne explains that in the years leading up to Bulgaria’s accession to the EU the UK Government assisted the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and that this assistance continues by sharing our experience and supporting the reform. An example of this is a recent Foreign Office Global Opportunities Fund project on inclusive education for children with special educational needs and from ethnic minorities.
