A/HRC/16/2 before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary to questions or issues that were not sufficiently addressed during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group (A/HRC/16/9/Add.1). 1. Views expressed by the State under review on the recommendations and/or conclusions, on its voluntary commitments and on the outcome 497. Bulgaria stated that the universal periodic review process had allowed it to take stock of its human rights situation, to draw attention to what had already been accomplished and to exchange views on what remained to be done, including the enhancement of national capacities for the promotion and protection of human rights to the benefit of all persons residing in the country. 498. The delegation highlighted the State’s intention to accept as many recommendations as possible. Bulgaria accepted without any reservations the overwhelming majority of the recommendations made (102 out of 113). Another four recommendations of which Bulgaria took note were also accepted in principle, as their implementation might require legal adjustments, allocating adequate budgetary resources or strengthening or improving administrative capacity. The delegation provided assurances that those recommendations would remain on Bulgaria’s agenda in the follow-up period. 499. Regarding recommendation 31, Bulgaria recalled that it had already extended a standing invitation to all special procedures, so it accepted this recommendation. 500. The delegation explained that 40 of the accepted recommendations had already been implemented or were under implementation. For example, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment had already been submitted to the National Assembly for ratification. Equally, the institution of the ombudsman, created in 2005 in accordance with the Paris Principles and with the assistance of the International Coordinating Committee, intended to submit the necessary application for accreditation in compliance with the Statute of the International Coordinating Committee. 501. Regarding the recommendations relating to the deinstitutionalization of children (recommendations 15, 20, 27, 77 and others), Bulgaria reiterated the Government’s commitment to close all remaining specialized institutions for children over the next 15 years and to replace them with community-based supportive centres. 502. The delegation briefly addressed the recommendations regarding the situation of Roma in Bulgaria (recommendations 18, 29, 86, 93, 95 and others). The Government had the political will to take adequate steps aimed at improving the situation of the Roma. The delegation emphasized that satisfactory results could only be achieved through a shared effort and proportional responsibilities among the Government, the Roma and their leaders, and the non-governmental organizations involved in Roma integration. 503. Of 113 recommendations made to Bulgaria, only five of them had not been accepted (recommendations 2, 24, 59, 81 and 107), mainly owing to constitutional and other legal constraints, some of them concerning the independence of the judiciary (see recommendations 81 and 107). 504. Two recommendations (64 and 108) had been partially accepted. The delegation stated that the first part of recommendation 64 was not in accordance with its domestic constitutional framework. Bulgaria considered that the rights of persons belonging to minorities were duly guaranteed by the Constitution and other legislation in accordance with article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe. 174 GE.11-17059