Public announcement

We are pleased to inform the publicity that on a day of 20th February 2012 Marijana Mugoša accompanied by her guide dog Ksena entered the building of Capital Podgorica, which was made final verdict in her case. Namely, after the expiry date of maternity leave, the procedure of enforcement of the judgment is continued.
Using this way of communication, we would like to convey our and Marijuana’s most sincere gratefulness to all male and female citizens of Montenegro, organizations and media who have offered her sincere support and understanding in her fight for human, as for civil rights.
Although this battle lasted quite a while and was really exhausting, as for Marijana also for other people with disabilities, and numerous sincere supporters, the joy of the fruits of justice that we are harvesting today is immeasurably.
We hope that this successful example of civil courage and defense of personal dignity will encourage all those whose rights are threatened to speak out and obtain for justice using allowed legal remedy.
We recall, on December 10th 2008 by the International Human Rights Day the mayor of Podgorica decided to Marijana, who is the first guide dog user in Montenegro, forbid coming to work accompanied by her guide dog. Ever since then until February 20 2012, so more than three years, lasted her uphill struggle.
On December 29th 2008 Marijana initiated the dispute in front of Primary court in Podgorica with help of female lawyer Daliborka Knezevic, who represented her for free. On July 27th 2009 the verdict was reached, wherewith requires that the Capital return to work Marijana Mugosa. On June 4th 2010 the Higher Court in Podgorica confirmed the courts of first instance verdict / foreground verdict.
In this case was filed also representation to the European Court of Human Rights inStrasbourg which will soon be informed about the execution of the judgment. After Marijana’s return from maternity leave, the Capital has enforce the judgment and allowed her coming to work accompanied by her guide dog, in the same building where she worked for several years prior to the event. We believe that this case will contribute to better understanding of the everyday problems people with disabilities are encountering with, as well as a higher degree of tolerance both by individuals and by institutions of the system inMontenegro.

Association of Youth with Disabilities of Montenegro
Center for Antidiscrimination “EQUISTA”