Parliamentary Question: Subject: Corruption in Bulgaria's child adoption procedures

Parliamentary questions

3 March 2015

E-003431-15

Question for written answer

to the Commission

Rule 130

Kati Piri (S&D) , Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)

Subject: Corruption in Bulgaria's child adoption procedures

According to the latest Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report on progress in Bulgaria (COM(2015) 36 final), corruption remains a serious issue. 97% of the Bulgarian respondents to the recent Eurobarometer survey(1) identified corruption as an important problem. It has become evident that adoption procedures, led by the state system of closed and non-transparent regional ‘adoption councils’, are also subject to corruption.

Is the Commission aware of various reports and allegations that it is common practice in Bulgaria to pay a bribe in order to adopt a child or to move up the waiting list?

Will the CVM be a suitable instrument to help achieve a transparent, fair and child-friendly adoption procedure?

Will the Commission urge Bulgaria to address corruption in the field of child adoption via the CVM?

(1) Flash Eurobarometer 406.

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Parliamentary questions

28 June 2015

E-003431/2015

Answer given by Vice-President Timmermans on behalf of the Commission

The Commission is aware of some reports and allegations with regard to adoption procedures in Bulgaria. However, as adoption is a matter solely of national competence, any complaints should be addressed at national level. The 3-4 June 2015 European Forum on the rights of the child focused on the strengthening of integrated child protection systems to protect children's rights, in particular with regard to Article 19 of the UN Convention on the rights of the child.(1)

The Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) is based on a commitment of Bulgaria, at the time of its accession to the European Union, to continue the reform of its judiciary and the fight against corruption and organised after accession. Progress is monitored by the Commission in accordance with a number of specific benchmarks set out in a Commission decision from 2006.(2)

The latest CVM report on Bulgaria, adopted on 28 January 2015, noted that corruption remains a serious issue and that progress has been slow.(3) The report sets out a number of recommendations, including that Bulgaria should put in place a solid national anti-corruption strategy, entrust a single institution with the authority and autonomy to coordinate and control the enforcement of anti-corruption activities, and reinforce the capacity of the prosecution to pursue high-level corruption cases.

While the improvement of the general anti-corruption framework should have a positive impact in all sectors of society, the CVM process is not intended to focus in detail on the specific problems in particular sub-sectors of the public administration, such as the administration of child adoption procedures.

(1) http://ec.europa.eu/justice/events/child-forum-2015/index_en.htm

(2) See C(2006)6570 final.

(3) COM(2015) 36 final.