Program "Conversation with the Minister at radio station "Militia wave" addresses topic "Development of a new Militia Law"

MW. Our radio program continues receiving letters in which you, dear radio listeners, ask to explain some issues related to the reform of the Ministry of Interior of Russia. We touched upon this subject in one of our previous broadcasts and today we will continue our conversation about reforming the Russian militia.

- Rashid Gumarovich, early March you met representatives of both chambers of the Federal Assembly to address the reforming process in law enforcement bodies. We are eager to know what questions were discussed at this meeting and what was of greatest interest for the participants.

Minister. For almost three and a half hours we discussed the course of reforms of the Ministry, exchanged our opinions and listened to offers. Special attention was given to the legislation perfection issue, as well as working out and accepting a new regulatory framework to regulate the activity of the modern militia.

MW. As far as I understand, the new legislation is to mean the new law "About militia"?

Minister. Among other things, yes.

MW. Rashid Gumarovich, what was the reason for such a courageous decision about developing a new basic document to guide the whole Russian militia's life and work?

Minister. The valid law "About militia" was accepted in 1991. We lived in another state then, different times and with a different society. Almost twenty years have passed. We should understand that any law should fit the modern realities and the social formation. Many provisions of the actual law in force are not so actual any more. For example, each of us could go outside without personal identification documents. When there are certain reasons, the militia employee should deliver the citizen to the law enforcement body to establish their identity.

Do we really have to remain here witnessing the 21^st century? Militia motor vehicles are equipped with modern computers, pedestrian patrol squads have palm computers with a remote access to all necessary databases. Accordingly, any person can be identified wight there and then within several minutes. This is real indeed.

MW. There is a common opinion that all troubles concerning the law enforcement bodies originated in the out-of-date Law "About militia". Do you share this point of view?

Minister. The matter is that today's militia activity is regulated, whether directly or indirectly, by more than 200 laws and other statutory acts as well as by an infinite number of departmental orders, regulations and instructions. This, according to our analysis, leaves creepholes for using the so-called "official discretion" instead of the legislative norms.

MW. Does that means we reached the point where the legislation should be changed?

Minister. Quite right. But this cannot be done in one day, can it? First it is necessary to grow aware of the whole structure of the department, its units and functions assigned to each employee today.

Analyzing all our challenges we made a decision to work out a new Law "About militia" which would be new in matter and serve as a universal, socially oriented regulatory legal act primarily aimed at safeguarding the rights and freedoms of our citizens. This decision was supported by the country leaders.

Today, the development of a concept of this new law is underway. Best heads of our state today are working on it including scientists, senators and deputies, public figures and human rights defenders as well as our militia officers engaged in the practical activity. Also, the international experience is being considered and analyzed. The project will provide for basic objectives and aspects of the future law.

By the way, it is important that citizens can also take part in the preparation of the law. This spring we are going to finish the work on the concept which will then be presented at the official Site of the Ministry of Interior.

Through a feedback field each interested person can express their opinion, make suggestions and remarks. Believe, each voice will be heard and considered. Our top priority is letting any human being know that the state cares for each citizen and their safety, that it protects their lives, health, property, rights and freedoms. The person should be aware that going along the street or addressing the law enforcement body, the man will get the necessary assistance from a highly professional and sympathetic militia officer. This is what we are after.

MW. And yet, Rashid Gumarovich, what will be the principal difference between the new Law from valid version?

Minister. First of all, the new Law "About militia" will be aimed at the precise legislative regulation of all kinds of activity of militia service. It will provide for rights and duties of militia employees and specify mechanisms of the law enforcement activity. Each step of the Russian law enforcement officer and his authorities will be properly registered. Also, the reporting procedure for militia before the population will be also provided for.

Also, it is very important that an anticorruption component will dominate in the new law. The requirements and actions of militia employees should be clear to all citizens who in their turn should be sure of their safety. The main idea of the document is to emphasize the basic message: "Not citizens for militia, but militia for our citizens"!

MW. Well, let us hope that now that the new Law "About militia" is passed everything will become more transparent both in the relationship of the militia and the society, and in the professional activity of militia bodies.

Radio program "Conversation with the Minister" at station "Militia wave"

www.mvd.ru

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