On 10 and 11 November, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria hosted the second 2026 meeting of the Network of National Preventive Mechanisms of Southeast Europe, attended by representatives of National Preventive Mechanisms from Albania, Austria, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro, as well as UNICEF Representative to Bulgaria Mio Nemoto.
Representatives of the National Preventive Mechanisms reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting the fundamental rights, dignity and best interests of children in conflict with the law, calling for comprehensive reforms to ensure child-centered justice systems based on international human rights standards.
In their joint conclusions, the participants stressed that every child is entitled to protection, education, healthcare and opportunities for personal development. They emphasized that deprivation of liberty must remain a measure of last resort, applied for the shortest appropriate period and accompanied by effective legal safeguards, including access to legal assistance, the right to a fair trial and an individual assessment of each child’s needs.
The representatives called for an end to outdated approaches that prioritize punishment, institutionalization and social isolation over prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration. They underlined that poverty, family instability, exposure to violence, educational exclusion and social vulnerability should never be addressed through punitive measures. Instead, children in conflict with the law should receive appropriate protection, guidance and support to help them overcome difficulties and successfully reintegrate into society.
The joint conclusions urge national authorities to introduce comprehensive legislative and institutional reforms, prioritizing alternatives to detention, individualized educational and rehabilitative measures, psychological and social support, and assistance to families and communities. The participants also highlighted the need for coordinated action across the justice, education, social protection and healthcare sectors, backed by adequate resources and qualified professionals.
The National Preventive Mechanisms reaffirmed their commitment to independently monitoring places where children are or may be deprived of their liberty, identifying systemic shortcomings and advocating for sustainable improvements.
They also pledged to strengthen regional cooperation, exchange good practices and promote juvenile justice systems that place children’s rights and best interests at their center.
Please refer to the Download section to access the documentation.