UNDER GUARDIANSHIP – A BNT DOCUMENTARY

The 21st century has brought a revolution in human-rights, but one group of people has remained excluded. Under the guise of protection by the law, they have been deprived of all their rights. Thousands have been denied the right to live their lives to the full.

Over a century ago, the legislators decided that these people couldn’t care properly for themselves and that the law would protect them. It takes away their power to manage their lives and delegates it to someone else. People under guardianship don’t have the right to decide where and with whom to live, they can’t work, can’t marry, can’t take care of their children – they are taken away from them at birth - can’t have property. Even criminals in prison are not punished so much!

Bulgaria has adopted the ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’. It now has to recognise that every person is significant and has a will. It has to stop ‘protecting’ them and include them back in society.

Author - Maria Cherneva

Delegated Producer - Petya Tetevenska

Director of Photography - Atanas Atanasov

Director – Borislava Dimova