Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Demand Dismissal of Otoka Pool Management and Revocation of Ban on Pool Use

(Patria) - Following inaccurate claims and manipulations made in media appearances in recent days by the director of JP "Olimpijski bazen Otoka" Avdija Hasanović, a group of parents of children with developmental disabilities has responded to a series of
inaccurate, contradictory, and offensive statements that Hasanović made during his media appearances, including a television appearance on April 12, 2025, on a live program.

We hereby publicly deny the following and point out the actual situation:

1. The claim that "there is no ban decision" is false. There is an official decision from 2023 that introduced barriers for children with developmental disabilities to use the pool. There is also an internal document – an instruction to employees and lifeguards – that prohibits work if there is no business relationship with the pool, which was published in the media. This clearly prevented trainers who work individually with our children from doing their jobs.

2. The claim that "it was never said that these children do not belong at the pool" is untrue. Several parents and witnesses present heard the director's statements that were highly discriminatory, including comments that "children defecate in the water" and that "it is impossible to work with them." Denying these statements further insults and belittles our children, parents, and the public.

3. The claim that "no one has ever been removed from the pool" is contrary to the facts. On April 9 and 10, 2025, trainers and parents were instructed, in the presence of security guards and police, to leave the pool area, leaving the children confused and frightened. This represents a clear act of removing service users and discrimination.

4. The claim that "the problem does not exist" and that "everything is fabricated" is false and harmful. Parents have repeatedly tried to establish dialogue with the Management, attended meetings, and offered proposals for a solution. None of these attempts received a serious response. The pool management never showed willingness to engage in constructive problem-solving but continued to act "arbitrarily."

5. Claims about "anarchy in the recreational part of the pool" and that "rules are being broken" are unfounded.

There is no official record, complaint, or report against trainers, parents, or children. We call on the pool management to publicly publish all alleged complaints, if they exist, because we have not seen them and do not have fair and democratic access to information. If there are none, we demand a public apology for such characterizations.

6. We strongly condemn the insults against trainers, instructors, and therapists of our children, who have been called
"usurers" and "illegals." These people are professional, educated, moral, and dedicated. Many of them give their time and knowledge to our children, and their help is invaluable for the progress of our children. As long as parents and children are satisfied, we will stand up for their protection.

7. The statement that parents "are not a legal entity" and have no right to decide on the trainers they hire further humiliates the dignity of families of children with disabilities. All parents legally represent their children and have the right to decide who can work with them, especially when they have previously given written consent and assumed full responsibility.

8. Claims that "the police and security guards did not act against parents and children" are not in line with what happened on the ground, of which we have knowledge and which was reported in the public. We have called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton and the Police Administration to conduct an independent investigation to determine whether members of the MUP and security services exceeded their authority.

With this, we want to protect not only the rights of children and parents but also the professional integrity of the
police officers and other actors if they acted lawfully.

Given all the above, we once again publicly demand:

– That the decision and instructions banning individual work in the water for children with developmental disabilities be urgently revoked.

– That the pool management, both current and all future, cease the practice of arbitrarily interpreting rules that directly harm children.

– That the uninterrupted continuation of work be allowed for trainers chosen by parents, who have been working professionally and with great dedication with the children for years.

– That those responsible for the incident on April 9, 2025, be held accountable and face consequences, which includes the urgent dismissal of the leadership of JKP "Olimpijski bazen Otoka."

Our children are not a problem to be removed. They are equal members of this society, children with potential, heart, and strength that many have already recognized – just as they recognized in champions Ismail Barlov and Ismail Zulfić, today the pride of our country.

We will not stop. We will not give up. Not for ourselves, but for them – our children.

We thank everyone who will support our struggle," the response of the informal group of parents of children with developmental disabilities states.