Municipality to provide a home to the vulnerable

The opinion of the deputy protector refers to the case of a single mother who lives with her four minor children in a dilapidated and damp house and that they all sleep in the kitchen. Due to the impossible conditions in which they live, the youngest 15-month-old girl was given to a foster family immediately after birth by the Center for Social Work. The mother states that she cannot look for a job in Nikšić, because they are 50 kilometers away from the city. Among other things, she also states that she has not received child benefit since July last year, because someone withdrew the money for her, but that she did not report the case to the police, because the Center stated that it should be known who did it, but that they cannot be sure until receive a response from other authorities.

The Center said, among other things, that she received material security in the full amount until July of last year, when instead of the full amount for five members (130,36 euros), she received 65,17 euros. They add that it is true that, although she was on the list, she was not paid the amount in the name of child allowance due to a system error, but the Center issued a decision on reimbursement of approved funds.

The Municipality of Nikšić submitted a statement to the Protector in which, among other things, it is stated that they learned about this situation through the media, since the woman never asked for help. If she makes a request for help, the Municipality will, according to the statement, meet it according to its possibilities.

The pronoun protector reminds the provisions of the Family Law that the child has the right to life and development in a healthy and safe living and social environment.

The principle of the best interest of the child requires that when making a decision or carrying out procedures that affect the child, or children as a group, the criterion of their well-being should be kept in mind. The principle should be understood as the direction in which every action should go and that this standard should be respected not only in all institutions, institutions and authorities that deal with children, but in all areas of life, so that the best interest of the child takes precedence over everything else. interests.

Also, the provisions of the Law on Social Housing stipulate that social housing, in the sense of this law, is housing of an appropriate standard that is provided to individuals or households that for social, economic and other reasons cannot solve the issue of housing, which is the case with this family.

The deputy protector also calls on the competent authorities to act in the best interest of the child in all activities that directly or indirectly concern them and to provide this family with adequate living conditions.

Mijušković instructed the Center to continue monitoring this family and undertake activities within its jurisdiction in accordance with current legal regulations.