Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva called for urgent institutional intervention in response to the sharp increase in the cost of mandatory motor third-party liability insurance, after the institution received numerous complaints from citizens and representatives of motorcycle clubs across the country. 

5 May 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva called for urgent institutional intervention in response to the sharp increase in the cost of mandatory motor third-party liability insurance, after the institution received numerous complaints from citizens and representatives of motorcycle clubs across the country. 

The complaints point to a serious and recurring problem—price increases of between 50% and 80% for motorcycles, and in some cases, over 100%. Industry organisations even cite a price increase range of between 70% and 300%. According to them, there are no clear economic arguments or publicly available analyses to justify this increase, and prices in Bulgaria already significantly exceed those in neighbouring countries.

There is widespread public discontent and a perception that citizens and businesses are being unfairly burdened. Citizens are calling for an investigation into whether prices are based on real economic factors and comply with the principles of transparency and market logic.

In this regard, the Ombudsman has requested that the National Revenue Agency and the Consumer Protection Commission conduct inspections within their respective areas of competence, in accordance with the Law on the Introduction of the Euro in Bulgaria, of insurance companies to determine whether the prices they offer are economically justified. 

At the same time, the Ombudsman has also referred the matter to the Association of Bulgarian Insurers, recommending that insurance companies allow for the deferral of premiums for mandatory motor third-party liability insurance or to offer so-called “seasonal insurance,” which is an option available under the Insurance Code.

Yesterday, the Ombudsman met with representatives of the motorcycle community, and last week she requested the Financial Supervision Commission to conduct an investigation and to hold a meeting with the motorcycle community, which took place today.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, in his capacity as an elected Director of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) World Board, participated in the opening session of the IOI Board of Directors meeting currently being held in Willemstad. Organised by the Ombudsman of Curacao, the meeting brings together elected representatives from Ombudsman institutions around the world to discuss the strategic governance and future direction of the organisation.

Established in 1978, the IOI is the only global organisation dedicated to the cooperation of independent Ombudsman institutions. It represents more than 200 member institutions from over 100 countries and operates through six regional chapters: Africa, Asia, Australasia and Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, and North America. Through training programmes, research initiatives, regional funding, and international cooperation, the IOI supports the strengthening of Ombudsman institutions and the promotion of good governance and accountability worldwide.

Welcoming the members of the Board, the President of the IOI, Nadine Mailloux, Ombudsman of Montreal, Canada, underlined that the meeting reflects the shared commitment of Ombudsman institutions across the world towards the values and mission of the Ombudsman institution. She highlighted the importance of collegial dialogue and international cooperation in addressing common challenges and strengthening the role of Ombudsman institutions globally.

El nombre del documental ganador se ha revelado hoy, en la gala final que ha tenido lugar en el auditorio del CosmoCaixa 

El documental “La porta que resisteix davant els desnonaments” (La puerta que resiste a los desahucios), del grupo Génesis de la escuela IPSI de Barcelona, ​​es el ganador de la muestra 10 min por los Derechos Humanos, organizada por el Síndic de Greuges de Catalunya.

El jurado está formado por dos expertas del mundo del cine (Júlia Betrian, de la Filmoteca de Cataluña, y Jana Montllor, directora de cine), dos representantes de la institución del Síndic (Mónica Arbeláez y Núria Pernas) y una representante del Consejo Asesor Joven (Dèlia Miró), y del documental ganador han valorado especialmente el gran trabajo de documentación e investigación, la pluralidad de las voces que recoge, y la profundidad y sensibilidad con que trata un tema tan recurrente como los desahucios. “Este documental es una inmersión total en el cine. Hacer cine es observar, interpelar la realidad. Y vosotros lo habéis hecho todo”, afirmaba una de las personas del jurado.

El segundo premio ha sido para el documental “Sense fronteres, el dret a estar junts” (Sin fronteras, el derecho a estar juntos) y el tercero, para el documental i el tercer, per al documental “Nosaltres també hem sigut infants” (Nosotros también fuimos niños). Ambos documentales son del instituto Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

El acto, que ha tenido lugar en el auditorio del CosmoCaixa, ha sido presentado por la creadora de contenido Kamala Prió y ha reunido a más de 150 personas, entre miembros de la comunidad educativa de los tres centros finalistas y representantes institucionales.

La adjunta de infancia, Aida C. Rodríguez, en su intervención, ha querido destacar que los 26 documentales participantes merecen un gran reconocimiento, porque se trata de un proyecto ambicioso que requería mucho esfuerzo y dedicación.

La adjunta ha hecho hincapié asimismo en que estos documentales obligan a reflexionar sobre temas muy actuales, como la vivienda, la inmigración o las afectaciones de la inteligencia artificial, y han sido una herramienta para que los jóvenes puedan hacer llegar su opinión sobre la realidad social en la que viven y sobre cómo valoran el estado actual de los derechos humanos. “No puedes transformar el mundo si antes no aprendes a mirarlo”, afirmaba Aida C. Rodríguez, que ha dejado claro que estos documentales transmiten valores y reivindicaciones que la institución comparte plenamente: “la defensa de los derechos humanos es algo compartido, que debemos hacer entre todos”.

Durante el acto también se ha dado la palabra a los autores de los documentales ganadores, alumnos de primero de bachillerato, y al profesorado que los ha acompañado durante el proceso de elaboración.

El proyecto se puso en marcha a principios de septiembre, con el inicio del curso escolar, e iba dirigido a todo el alumnado de 3.º y 4.º de ESO y 1.º y 2.º de bachillerato o ciclos formativos de grado medio de todos los centros educativos de Cataluña. Se recibieron 26 documentales, que se han publicado en la web de la muestra.

For many years, the Commissioner for Human Rights has been actively involved in the issue of transporting students with disabilities to educational institutions. In response to ongoing reports of systemic issues regarding this matter, in 2024, the Commissioner conducted a social study titled: "Implementation of transport for students with disabilities to educational institutions by local government units." Its objective was to illustrate how education law regulations are applied in practice. Specifically, the study aimed to determine whether transport fulfills its intended purpose: facilitating access to education for students with disabilities.

The report reveals, among other things, that:

• Rising Costs: Between 2020 and 2024, there was a significant increase in transport costs for students with disabilities. The average cost per student rose from PLN 8,281 to PLN 13,280, and reimbursement costs for parents quadrupled.
• Systemic Barriers: The main obstacles in fulfilling this duty include insufficient funding, high prices for transport services, an inadequate number of adapted vehicles, and difficulties in optimizing transport routes.
• Staff Qualifications: The study revealed that only a few municipalities organize training for drivers, and caregivers often lack proper qualifications, usually limited only to a first aid course.
• Administrative Hurdles: Administrative procedures for applying for transport or cost reimbursement are often unclear and time-consuming. Information on how to submit applications can be difficult to access, especially for parents who are less tech-savvy.

The "Nearest School" Conflict: There are problems with the uniform interpretation of "the nearest school." For municipalities, the deciding factor is often the cost of transport and thus physical distance. For parents, the key factor is how a given school meets their child's specific needs. This often leads to the refusal of cost reimbursements for transport to facilities better suited for the student.

These issues significantly impact the lives of families with children with disabilities; long hours spent traveling negatively affect the children's education and social integration. The report emphasizes the need to improve funding, simplify administrative procedures, and raise the qualifications of personnel involved in the transport process to ensure real access to education for children with disabilities.

https://bip.brpo.gov.pl/pl/content/raport-rpo-dowoz-uczniow-niepelnosprawnosc-samorzady