Former Director found to be Illegally Dismissed

The former director at Gemma's orphanage was found to be illegally dismissed and is to be reinstated.  This is very tragic and we are very upset  and worried by this finding.   

Toni, our Bulgarian attorney, has made the following statement:

“I think right now things are under control and all governmental and non-governmental institutions are on board and acting: Bulgaria Helsinki Committee, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, State Agency for Child Protection, etc. I further want to tell you that their involvement very early on, were critical and very timely and beneficial.
There’s still one month for appeal to the High Court of Appeals of Bulgaria in Sofia. However, how politics and administrations’ reactions will work out together, will be very important too.
I am sorry it sounds so fragmentary and confused but that’s how it is right now.”

Prayers are all we give right now.  Prayers for the government officials to seek justice and seek protection for the children, prayers for the children waiting, and prayers for the current director to remain in place and to not be discouraged by the court's decision.


 Google translation of Bulgarian article:

 Reinstatement infamous director of an orphanage?

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) concerned to learn that the former director of Home for Medical and Social Care for Children (0-3) in Pleven Jiri Kostova to be reinstated, reports BHC official position on the topic sent to the Minister of Health Desislava Atanasova and Chairperson of the SACP Kalin Kamenov."This happened after the Pleven District Court of December 7, 2012, which announced the dismissal illegal and quashed it. Believe that the court's decision comes due to inadequate grounds for Ms. Kostova was dismissed in December 2011 - such as the fact that children had no choice doctor that they are advised by a dentist that did not have a program plan for treatment, "said the position of the BHC."We remind you that during the reign of Jiri Kostova home in Pleven were conducted numerous inspections, including the State Agency for Child Protection, which reveals a very disturbing low care facility. During the last inspection, it is ordered by the Ministry of Health, it was found that in the house for a year and a half, 18 children died. were found huge lack of care, severe neglect, malnourishment. This home has a child skeletons - eg C, which weighs in at 11 under 5.6 kg P and that of 16 years weighs 8.6 kg. condition of these children is not such because of their disabilities, we used to hear, but because of lack of adequate care, and the jump in development that they do in the first months after by finding families to prove it, "said the opinion."During the reign of Jiri Kostova, as stated BHC lawyer. Antonia Vladimirova, children with disabilities in Pleven orphanage, regardless of age, fed with old green beer bottles, a bottle whose opening is almost the size of an adult fingernail, causing frequent gagging when eating. signals in your state regarding the home attorney. Vladimirova also signaled that no one attempted to spoon feed children over the age of three, children are fed a liquid-like in appearance, smell and taste of toasted flour mixed with water, children eat lying down on his back as they insert the nipple in the mouth, the liquid begins to flow into their throats and run around their heads, leading to drowning, diaper change once, at most twice a day, all the children spend their time lying in bed, trying not to move, to play with them, communicate with them, to be taught the simple, age-appropriate, skills and knowledge. During his inspection in September 2011 found SACP cases where children have been systematically kept in bed, the head stained with urine and feces. was found that in all examined deaths in the home in the period 2005 to 2011 was a "hypotrophy" (malnutrition) in varying degrees, "cachexia" (pathological emaciation). SACP notes and cases of death due to aspiration of gastric contents caused by mechanical asphyxia and that no evidence of risk to children was introduced a special diet to prevent disease and death. SACP audit found that children living in one of the wards for children with disabilities to hypotrophy cachexia and severe contractures of the limbs, "recalled BHC."The decision of Pleven District Court may be appealed to the Supreme Court within one month. Where Kostova still be reinstated as director of the orphanage in Pleven, demand immediate review by the Ministry of the possibility it will continue to manage this establishment. believe that the above findings, the return of former director of work represents a serious risk to the health and lives of children in the orphanage in Pleven, "is the conclusion in the opinion of the BHC.Editor: E. Gigova
  
The Bulgarian Abandoned Children's Trust website:
http://www.tbact.org/former-director-of-baby-home-wins-case-against-unfair-dismissal/