barred by wire fences and chipboard, without heating and bedding. Because of the full
capacity of the centres of SAR, the slow registration of applications for protection and
the lack of adequate human resources the refugees and migrants were staying there
without legal basis and sometimes for up to a week.
The positive finding the team of the NPM noted in 2014 is related to the
suspension of detention of a person after expiry of the 24-hour period on the territory of
the border directorate. A new organization where all detained foreigners must be
transferred to the RC - Elhovo, which building is a former school, whether they are
applying for protection or not, has been introduced. An exception is allowed for single
mothers with children and unaccompanied minor or juvenile. The NPM finds the
decision for opening such centre, which employs representatives of various institutions
(employees of the Ministry of Interior, the State Agency "National Security" (SANS), SAR)
positive and take into account the improvement of inter-institutional relations.
Material conditions in the centre can be defined as unsatisfactory. For bedrooms
are used former classrooms, and they are equipped only with beds. The NPM found
deficiency of sanitary facilities and poor hygiene in the available ones. Part of the people
accommodated there complained about the quality and quantity of food provided, which
is prepared in the kitchen of the special school located nearby the city centre. After the
recommendations of the NPM for improving the living conditions in the centre,
measures have been taken for supply additional mattresses, blankets, bed linens,
pillows, etc.
Another negative finding is related to the lack of separate prayer rooms for
exercise of religion. The problem remains unsolved due to the lack of adequate housing.
The NPM is worrying for placement in RC - Elhovo, of families with children.
In its other reports as Ombudsman, acting the NPM, I have stressed that the detention of
children in centres of closed type should be used as a last resort and for the shortest
possible period of time (Art. 37 (b) of the Convention of UN of the rights of the
child).Children accommodated in closed centres must have separated play areas, access
to education and other activities that are not currently available in RC - Elhovo. In the
short term and long term as well, the detention of children can have many negative
consequences for their mental and physical development. On this occasion, in its
Resolution 2020 (2014) the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe once again
stated that it is high time the Member States to suspend the administrative detention of
children and to take measures to implement alternatives of detention to them and their
families.
The language barrier should be highlighted as one of the most serious
problems in RC - Elhovo. Warring for the team of the NPM are claims of the foreigners
interviewed that they are not familiar with the reasons for their detention, and that they
are not aware of what actions would be taken by the responsible authorities against
them. Solution to this issue is sought by the conclusion of the Tripartite Memorandum of
Understanding on the ways of joint cooperation and coordination in support of access of
persons seeking protection to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and to the
procedure for granting protection in the country between the High Commissioner for
Refugees to the United Nations, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and the CDBP.
In terms of medical care in the centre no weaknesses were found. It is provided
by the staff of the Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior, located in the centre. In
the practice work one physician and one nurse on a rotating basis and for a period of 14
days providing 24-hour medical service, as well as a psychologist. Upon admission a
primary medical examination must be carried out to determine the health status of the
foreigners. In emergency cases the assistance of teams of "Emergency Service" from the
city of Elhovo is used. In need of specialized treatment the foreigners are admitted to the
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