Ombudsperson for children’s rights visited the Roma Settlement
Ombudsperson for Children’s Rights 7th February 2012 got a copy of an application, addressed to the bailiff and State territorial planning and construction inspectorate under the Ministry of environment of the Republic of Lithuania to postpone the implementation of a decision (demolition of a building).
To find out, how the right to a place of residence will be ensured for the minors, raised in families that were mentioned in an application, Ombudsperson E. Žiobienė and her advisors E. Meilus and J. Kinderienė 7th February 2012 visited the Roma Settlement in Vilnius. During the meeting with two families with young children, it was found out that children do not live in the buildings that are going to be demolished. Families have been informed about the possibility to apply for the rent of social home and an obligation to ensure their children’s right to proper living conditions.
During the visit Ombudsperson also spoke to Josif Tyčina, the president of the community “Gipsy Fire”. He accepted that parents should give more effort in protecting their children’s rights. According to him, office workers of the Community Center always help people and encourage them to actively contribute to the creation of their well being.