Maria Ilieva: When Did We Forget Our Children?

We present to you the full and detailed transcript of Maria Ilieva’s statement, based on the provided video material. The text has been edited for grammar and punctuation to improve readability, while preserving the entire content, including the emotional appeals and specific examples.

The Hypocrisy of Declarations and the Hidden Truth

“Usually, a declaration is not commented on. That is the accepted practice in the National Assembly. But in this case, after my declaration, I will insist that the people involved and mentioned in it comment on it, because I am also a parent, and I cannot believe what has been happening for years within a closed NGO organization. As a parent, I cannot believe when we lost what is human — and even animal instinct — namely, to protect our children first.

Hello. I was provoked by the statement of Stanislav Balabanov from ITN this morning during his declaration and the question he asked, as well as the comments he requested from the other members of parliament. The question was: ‘Gentlemen members of parliament, as a father I am outraged by what is happening to our children. How is this possible?’ And then followed a long plea: ‘Please comment, you deputies, how did we get here?’

And now here is my comment specifically to Mr. Balabanov and not only to him. Mr. Balabanov, when we from the “Velichie” party in April submitted a request to create a temporary committee to clarify the facts and circumstances regarding the fact that Bulgaria ranks fourth in the world out of 121 countries in online violence against children, and facts presented by UNICEF showing that violence against children increases by 17% every year (and we are talking about children from two months old to 14 years old, which means that every third or fourth child has experienced violence in Bulgaria) — how did you vote on this declaration?

Shall I tell you? I can tell you. You, together with the entire majority, voted either ‘against’ or ‘abstained.’ Your party specifically voted ‘abstained.’ DPS–New Beginning, of course, were openly ‘against,’ as were GERB–SDS. Some of the more hesitant ones, so that their exact position would not be clear — such as you and BSP — voted ‘abstained.’ “Vazrazhdane” had 15 people voting ‘in favor.’ Others simply displayed their voting cards without voting so that there would be no majority. And of course, the proposal was not adopted.”

Indifferent Deputies and the Absence of Compassion

“Two months later we submitted this request again to the committee, where I personally addressed all members of parliament (and we will see this in the video shortly), saying that there is no way that anyone in this chamber… And if I believed that something could unite people — the deputies, the human beings in this hall — it would be the attitude toward our children.

I asked the question: ‘Don’t you have children? Don’t you think that what is happening to other children could one day happen to your own? Do you have no heart?’ And I stated that there is not a single person in this chamber who is not responsible for what is happening to our children. That we have not given the necessary attention to education, to sports, to culture, to the arts, to religion — subjects in school and in society that instill morality, values, and create mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy children.

Where were you then, members of parliament? Why did you vote ‘abstained’ twice? Many of you were reading your phones, smiling, openly turning your backs. And now you come out, Mr. Stanislav Balabanov, from the parliamentary tribune asking the question ‘How did we get here?’ and speaking as a father about how outraged you are. Then answer these questions yourself — how did we get here?”

Repression Against Children in Haskovo

“It is clear how we got here. It is clear that those in power are responsible for everything that is happening. It is clear that even after the murder of a child in Haskovo — after which all of the child’s classmates spontaneously went to protest in front of the Ministry of Interior and explain what was happening with rapes and drugging in nightclubs — they were attacked by officials from the Ministry of Interior, arrested, labeled as children disturbing public order, and subjected to violence inside the police station itself. Where were you then?

This organized criminal group that has been operating on the territory of Bulgaria for a long time — including during coalitions in which you participated — cannot simply be ignored now. With declarations like these you cannot throw dust in people’s eyes and attempt to clean your image for everything you have done over the years in power. No one will believe you. No one will listen to your words.”

The Shame of Those in Power

“Stop the theatrical scenes and look the truth in the eyes. You are responsible. You and all those who govern. We are the only party that tried to raise this issue. Unfortunately — a voice in the wilderness. So be angry at yourselves and pray that your child does not end up on the lists of those who work with children.

You who govern, who call yourselves responsible figures — be ashamed! Be ashamed that you did not find money in the budget for kindergartens, for child allowances for mothers so they can raise them peacefully. That you did not educate them in values and morality. That their education is not important. That you did not create an environment for them to develop their talents. That you failed to instill love for their homeland and pride in speaking its name anywhere in the world. That not only are they not your priority — they are forgotten by everyone in this chamber. Without exception.”

The Case in Peshtera and the Death Sentence of Power

“Another case of the rape of a child, an 11-year-old, in Bulgaria. We are in Peshtera. The child — abducted, raped. The law remains silent. The police attempt to cover up the case. What will you say about this case? I will tell the ministers to take faster measures so that these children can be protected and such pedophiles no longer exist in Bulgaria.

We will do what must be done. At any cost we will protect our children. Silence is not simply a crime — it is complicity. In Bulgaria today, children do not merely grow up in poverty, insecurity, or lack of future. They grow up in fear. Fear that they could become part of a list. Fear that their bodies could be filmed, sold, or traded.

When those in power lay hands on children, they are morally dead and sign their own death sentence. There will be no forgiveness, no trust, no future for them.

From this tribune a declaration was already read on behalf of the political party “Velichie” regarding violence against children, in which we insisted on the creation of a temporary parliamentary committee dedicated to the issue. We believe that the recent tragic events, including the escalation of tension in Haskovo, confirm even more strongly the need for such a committee. All children — they have one homeland, and it is Bulgaria. They must defend the interests of their homeland here, take their rights into their own hands, raise their children and grandchildren here, and we, their parents and grandparents, should rejoice in them and educate them in the Bulgarian spirit, in Bulgarian history, in Bulgarian music, in Bulgarian culture, which is abundant.”