Behim Ajkunić, with established diagnosis of epilepsy, is a single parent of two young children, Smail (14) and Samir (12). Smail was severely injured, paralyzed, diagnosed with epilepsy too, and, according to the medical report, completely dependent on his father. Due to a difficult financial situation of the family, younger child Samir does not go to school either.
Ajkunić family lives in a collapsed, inadequate shack built by Behim out of construction waste, and it was destroyed during a storm in February 2012. Worsening weather conditions made living in this inadequate shack impossible. It is impossible to warm it up, it is leaking, and there is a risk of collapse.
Bearing in mind that Ajkunić’s living conditions, despite all the medical problems they have been facing with, in wintertime are the same as if they are on the street HRA, on 10 December 2012, addressed to all relevant state authorities, urging them to provide without delay at least minimum acceptable solution for Ajkunić family.
Among others, HRA addressed to the Centre for Social Work for municipalities Podgorica , Cetinje, Danilovgrad, and Kolašin, the Capital Podgorica, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
However, despite appeals and media interest in this case (starting from Daily Dan, which on December 8 followed up Ajkunić’s issue) the state still haven’t found a solution for this family. HRA proposal that the state or the Capital should cover temporary accommodation in anticipation of long-term solution was not accepted either.
All this happened despite the fact that none of the competent authorities disagreed with the difficult situation of Ajkunić family, as evidenced by the official report of the expert team of the Centre for Social Work, which upon HRA appeal, carried out filed visit and made the report.
HRA cannot accept the fact that Ajkunić family cannot be provided with dignified living conditions. Ever since we have found about their situation HRA employees have covered costs of private accommodation for them but unfortunately, we do not have enough funds to continue to do so. 300 Euros per month is required for Ajkunić’s accommodation. HRA was not able to find a better offer, especially since property owners as a rule refused to rent an apartment to RAE population. Ajkunićs are Egyptians and citizens of Montenegro.
Therefore, HRA publishes a public appeal for help in order to provide, in anticipation of long-term solution, dry and warm accommodation for Behim, Smail and Samir in the coming months. If you would like to make a donation please use, the following bank account:
Account at NLB Montenegro Bank: 530-20579-65; User: Human Rights Action (Akcija za ljudska prava); Purpose: Assistance to Ajkunić.
