No. 07-00-156/2017-02    Date: 5 September 2017

OPINION

The present opinion was issued following a complaint procedure initiated upon a complaint lodged by R.A. from Z. who is a guardian to R.S., a minor, against City Administration of Zaječar. In its complaint, the complainant stated that the City Administration of Zaječar had not effectuated an additional social support service to R.S., namely service of a personal chaperone, despite the fact that the Commission for the Evaluation of Needs for Additional Educational, Health or Social Support to a Child/Student had stated in its Opinion that such support service should be provided to R.S. In the course of the complaint procedure, it has been ascertained that the Cross-sector Commission had made an assessment in its individual plan of support stating that R.S. was in need of a personal chaperone, but that the City of Zaječar had not ensured funds for this additional form of support. The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality has issued its opinion stating that by failing to provide additional support in form of a personal chaperone for children and students in need of such support, the City of Zaječar had effectively prevented R.S. from receiving necessary additional support towards his education efforts, and had hence violated provisions of Articles 6 and 19 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination. For this reason, a recommendation was issued to the City of  Zaječar to take all necessary actions and measures aimed at hiring a personal chaperone for R.S. who is a student of „Lj. N.“ primary school  in Z. and to refrain in the future from violating anti-discrimination regulations when performing work and activities from its scope of authority.

COMMISSIONER FOR THE

PROTECTION OF EQUALITY                                                                               

Brankica Janković