KARAN: WE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD SRPSKA WHERE LOVE FOR FAMILY IS NOT JUST FEELING, BUT SET OF RIGHTS

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 24 /SRNA/ - One of the important dimensions of Republika Srpska’s development is precisely the fact that, alongside the struggle for its constitutional position, political stability and economic strength, it has also developed as a socially responsible community, Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan told SRNA.

On the occasion of the Srpska Loves You campaign, as part of which the Office of Republika Srpska President will present, in the coming period, the rights and measures that today constitute the family support system in Republika Srpska, Karan said that Republika Srpska is not strong only when it protects its competences, but also when it protects the family.

"Protecting the family is not only a matter of political and social responsibility, but also a constitutional obligation of Republika Srpska, because the Republika Srpska Constitution guarantees special protection to the family, mother and child. The Republika Srpska Constitution obliges the Republic to use economic and social policies to promote an increase in the social well-being of citizens," President Karan stressed.

He pointed out that Republika Srpska has not approached the issue of family protection on an ad hoc basis, through temporary solutions and policies dependent on circumstances, but has introduced systemic measures.

"Perhaps this is best demonstrated in the Law on Temporary Child Support of Republika Srpska. Behind the administrative title of this law are often painful life situations, because the end of a marriage does not end the obligation to enable a child to grow up with dignity. However, there are situations in which one parent fails to fulfill this obligation, thus the parent who remains with the child bears the burden of such behaviour," Karan said.

He pointed out that Republika Srpska regulated this issue by law so that, when a parent who is obliged to pay child support fails to do so under the conditions prescribed by law, the child can exercise the right to temporary support through the Republika Srpska Child Protection Public Fund, for a maximum period until the child reaches the age of 18.

"Payment of up to 15 percent of the average salary in Republika Srpska is provided for, or, according to the data on the basis of which this right was introduced, up to BAM 229 when the court has ordered child support in that amount or a higher amount. If the court has determined a lower amount, the Republic does not change the court decision, but pays the amount determined by the court. This is an important distinction," Karan explained.

He explained that Republika Srpska does not, in this way, relieve the parent responsible for supporting the child of their obligation, but rather protects the child, because it does not allow the child to suffer because of a dispute between adults.

The Republic will then, he said, throught its institutions protect public funds and seek reimbursement from the person who failed to fulfill their legal obligation.

"That is precisely why it is important that when we speak today about the Srpska Loves You – Love Means Rights campaign, we understand the meaning of the last word in that message," Karan stressed, recalling the rights introduced by the Republika Srpska institutions - a mother's right to a maternity allowance, a family’s right to assistance for a newborn child, an employed parent's right to security during maternity leave, children's rights through the child protection system, a parent-caregiver's right to support, a child's right, when medical treatment options available in our country have been exhausted, to receive the opportunity for treatment abroad through the Solidarity Fund for Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases, Conditions and Injuries in Children Abroad, as well as a child's right to temporary support when the person obliged to provide it fails to fulfill that obligation.

Republika Srpska president stressed that Republika Srpska is politically free in decision-making, economically strong and institutionally organised, but above all responsible and humane, so that none of its citizens feels alone when faced with challenges.

"That is why we will continue to build Republika Srpska as a society in which love for family is not just a feeling. Love means rights," Karan said.