The recent information on the situation in the 'Pazaric' home for mentally challenged children is shocking and they must be treated in a more humane way, Minister for Labour and Social Policy Vesko Drljaca told the reporters on Friday, following the Government's decision to dismiss the management of the 'Pazaric' centre.
The decision comes a day after the first in a series of protests that citizens announced in front of the Government's seat in Sarajevo, after lawmaker Sabina Cudic unveiled the photos showing the children in the ‘Pazaric’ centre tied to beds and other pieces of furniture, which, according to her, caused them injuries and serious deterioration of their mental health.
“As a citizen and a minister, I am shocked by the presented facts and allegations. These things are even more shocking if we know they concern mentally challenged children. The relation we have to build towards them has to be built in a more humane way. I would like to say that the Government never received an official document that points at the breaches and abuses regarding their treatment,” said the minister.
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He thanked MP Cudic for sharing the information but, according to him, the way she did it was not ethical.
“All pieces of information shared in public should be reviewed carefully and determined if and where the competent institutions failed,” he added.
Drljaca avoided answering the reporters’ enquiry on why the ‘Pazaric’ centre's manager was dismissed too since he was the first one to speak about the irregularities in that institution a few months ago.
“There was a proposal to dismiss the steering and supervisory boards, but the Government adopted such decision,” he briefly said.
Decisions passed by courts and governments are not commented, said the removed manager, Redzep Salic.
“I am a legalist, I respect the decisions of the FBiH (Bosnia's Federation entity) Government and agree with them,” he told N1.
“I have no idea why, but I respect that decision. The Government appointed me, it also removed me,” said Salic adding that the only thing that matters is the well-being of the children in the ‘Pazaric’ home.
Meanwhile, the citizens gathered in the second peaceful protests in front of the FBiH Government's building, expressing disappointment over the situation in the ‘Pazaric’ home.
Dismissal of those who are responsible for inadequate treatment of children is not enough, they said, demanding also that all those in charge should be processed.
They also addressed a request to meet representatives of the European Union Delegation in Sarajevo and to ask for their help.
A new protest is set to take place on Saturday, in front of the Eternal Flame memorial, in the city's central part.
