been resolved yet, despite the numerous recommendations to the Migration
Directorate and the Social Assistance Agency over the years. The NPM also
recalls the case-law of the Bulgarian courts that unaccompanied minors may
not be assigned with adults arbitrarily but there must be a complete
examination of the facts and circumstances of importance in every case of a
child seeking protection.
The State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers has
implemented and observes the anti-epidemic measures laid down by the Ministry
of Health in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. For the period March – December
2020, a total of 25 persons placed at territorial units of the CoM State Agency for
Refugees were diagnosed with Covid-19.
The issue with the language barrier is yet to be resolved due to the lack of
interpreters which poses an additional obstacle in the work of medical specialists.
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