/ world today news/ A provocative photo of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, strongly hugging and kissing a child, blew up social networks, but left speechless leading NGOs in the field of child care in Bulgaria. The photo was uploaded to the prime minister’s Facebook profile in an album for the opening of a sports center in Dospat on October 17, 2015. The event is not formally an election event, although vigilant Facebook users recognized the GERB candidate for mayor of the municipality in one of the photos.
The mass communications expert Ivo Injov decided to test the reaction of leading NGOs, which, according to him, “have the reputation of being some of the best in the care of children’s health and rights. Some of them have important advisory and monitoring functions in the development of the state’s policy for children and/or receive significant sums from it as providers of social services in the process of deinstitutionalization (removal of children with physical and mental disabilities or abandoned children from the old welfare homes and their integration into society)’.
Indjov has asked for a comment National Network for Children (NMD), which unites 127 organizations, “Child and Space” association, “Institute of Social Activities and Practices” association, “Animus” foundation and “For our children” foundation. The expert asked three questions: 1. “Is it normal for a prime minister to hug and kiss a child in a public place like this?” In truth, it appears that the child goes to him of his own accord, as is clear from another photo, or is sent by older chaperones. 2. Are any rights of the child violated in this situation? 3. Does the photo contain a subtext unfavorable to the child?”.
“The photo is disturbing, Borisov’s hug is too strong, and the kiss is too demonstrative, it leaves an unpleasant impression,” commented the expert. He draws attention to the many negative comments on Facebook about the photo, incl. on Borisov’s wall. For example: “Nina Great The photo is super ugly, expressing violence.. as if the child was attacked and his mouth was gagged. Couldn’t you post another, more humane one?!?”, “Galina Andreeva I couldn’t understand, is this now a kiss or an attempt to strangle him?????” etc.
None of the five NGOs commented on the specific photo and case study. Indjov, however, admits that his e-mail ended up in the spam of some of the organizations’ official e-mails, although he asked them twice within two days. “The second time I wrote that it was a pre-election meeting, because essentially it is.”
The NMD is not sure whether the photo of Prime Minister Borisov with a child is from a pre-election meeting or another meeting of his with citizens, it is clear from the answer of the executive director of the organization, Georgi Bogdanov. “We at the National Network for Children will not issue an opinion on the case, as we have repeatedly done so in various cases and have appealed to politicians to refrain from using children for election purposes and in their campaigns. In addition, this type of involvement of children in election campaigns is also prohibited by the Child Protection Act.” Bogdanov assures Indjov, “that if we need to express our opinions on individual cases, we do so through our communication channels and with the specialists with that we have, both on social media and in other media.’
The Animus Foundation also does not comment on the photo and reminds that the involvement of children in election campaigns is against the law and “we will not be involved in this situation in any way.”
No answers were received from the “Child and Space” association, the “Institute of Social Activities and Practices” association and the “For Our Children” foundation.
According to Ivo Indjov, formally the law was not violated, since Borisov hugged and kissed a child at an event where no party campaigning was done, at least there were apparently no party and election symbols. “At the same time, Borisov is the leader of the largest ruling party, people associate GERB with him, and his presence at the opening of the sports center just a day before the local elections could be taken as hidden agitation.” In addition, according to the expert, politicians should be far more distant in their communication with children, avoid poses, situations and shots that can be interpreted ambiguously.
He is not surprised by the silence of the NGOs on the case. “My personal explanation is that they do not want to spoil their good relations with the authorities – ideal and material,” is his comment.
In this regard, he draws a comparison with the National Children’s Network’s letter to Pope Francis from earlier this year. In it, the organization sharply criticizes the holy father, who unequivocally stated in his speech that it is permissible for parents to hit a child for educational purposes. “This is a gross violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it is unacceptable for any religious leader to promote hitting children,” NMD wrote at the time.
“They can talk about the Pope, but they are silent about Borisov”, was the laconic comment of mass communications expert Ivo Indjov.
PS Dr. Ivo Injov’s initiative and questions do not in any way involve organizations and institutions to whose activities he is directly or indirectly related.
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