Human Rights Action (HRA) is pleased that the Municipality of Nikšić took first steps in addressing the long-term problem of providing accommodation for nine families living in Željezara II (Zvjerinjak) settlement in Nikšić yesterday, and contacted Mr. Miodrag Todorović, the owner of the land in Zvjerinjak, whose good will has prevented the eviction of these families on several occasions.

In a letter to HRA, the Municipality of Nikšić presented a plan for solving the problem, and also sent a letter to Mr. Todorović, expressing its commitment to provide accommodation for families living on his land by1 February 2015.

Today, as many times before, Mr. Todorović agreed to postpone the eviction of families at the expense of his right to property.  It is due to his compassion and good will that more than 40 residents of Zvjerinjak did not become homeless today. So far, the state of Montenegro has not undertaken measures to provide accommodation for the vulnerable families.

In the letter HRA received yesterday, on 14 May 2014, the Municipality of Nikšić presented its plans to build flats for vulnerable families on the existing concrete foundations in Gračanica settlement. As it is stated in the letter, the Municipality needs to raise approximately 100,000 euros for this purpose. We were informed that the fundraising action has already started, and that, so far, the Municipality has raised 30,000 euros. We hope that the money will be raised from public funds and private donations in time to accommodate the families before the upcoming winter, because they already live in extremely poor conditions.

We emphasize that the State must have a systematic solution for this and similar problems, so the fate of the homeless would not depend on the good will of individuals and the mood of donors. The right to adequate housing is guaranteed by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that obliges Montenegro to provide alternative accommodation for people who may become homeless due to eviction. We note that there is no   shelter for the homeless in Montenegro, except one in Pljevlja with limited operation.

The State has an obligation to ensure human rights to all, including Mr. Todorovic, who has the right to use his property, as well as the socially vulnerable families, who have a right to adequate housing and protection from homelessness.