MINIĆ: CHILD SUPPORT LAW IS ABOUT THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHILDREN

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ – The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Savo Minić stated the Law on Temporary Child Support is not just a matter of social policy, but a responsibility of the entity's institutions toward children, demonstrating clearly that no child will be allowed to become a victim of adults' irresponsibility.

"When a parent fails to fulfil their legal obligation, the Government and Republika Srpska do not want to remain silent observers. The burden of unpaid child support too often falls on the parent who cares for the child, while the consequences are also felt by the child. This is not a matter of comfort, but of food, clothing, education, medical care and a dignified life," Prime Minister Minić stressed in a statement to SRNA, commenting on the "Srpska Loves You" campaign, through which the Office of the President of Republika Srpska is presenting the rights and measures that today make up the family support system in Republika Srpska. Minić underlined that the Law on Temporary Child Support is extremely important because it introduces the principle that Republika Srpska's institutions stand by the child when parental care is absent. He said he was very proud that the law was already producing its first positive effects in practice as part of efforts to assist parents and children facing problems caused by unpaid child support. The law, he added, which came into force two months ago, introduced fundamental changes to the system for the payment of child support, with the aim of protecting children's rights. "Very fast we have reached a stage where the new law, as a completely new right that we are introducing into practice, is already producing visible results. As I have been informed, 95 applications have already been resolved across Republika Srpska for child support to be paid through the Republika Srpska Public Fund for Child Protection," Minić stressed, explaining that under the law, payments are made to parents from the fund, while the fund then seeks to recover the money from those who evade their parental obligations. He clarified that everyone must understand that passing a law alone is not enough, because a law is only as effective as its implementation is efficient and fair. "Our obligation is to ensure that assistance actually reaches children on time, without unnecessary delays or administrative obstacles. This is not assistance to a parent, but the protection of a child's rights, and there must be no political divisions on this issue, because when it comes to children, we must have consensus. If we want a society that is just, then we must demonstrate that we are prepared to protect those who cannot protect themselves. A state that cares about children is not giving charity; it is fulfilling its basic social and moral obligation," Minić said. At the end, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska pointed out that behind every law are real people and real lives, and that the success of this law will therefore not be measured by the number of articles and provisions, but by the number of children who are enabled to grow up more safely, with greater dignity and without a burden they should never have had to carry because of the irresponsible conduct of one of their parents. "Our task is to ensure that their rights are fully protected and that they never again have to wonder whether they will be able to exercise their rights, whether they will have something to eat that day, or whether they will be able to buy a toy, a book or a schoolbag, because none of these things can wait for an irresponsible parent," Minić emphasized.