News Release
21.01.2010
June, 1 is the International Child protection day, one of the oldest international holidays. This year it will be held for the 60th time.
What is the situation in the sphere of protection of rights and freedoms of minors? What new forms of approaching teenagers are applied by militia? Who and how will care of children during the summer period? These are issue to discuss with our visitor, the chairman of the Governmental commission for minors and protection of their rights, the Minister of Interior of Russian Federation Rashid Nurgaliev.
MW. Rashid Gumarovich, The Child Protection Day is approaching. How would you characterize the situation in our country in terms of observance of the rights and freedoms of minors?
Minister. Protection of minors against criminal infringements, maintenance of their rights, legitimate interests has been and is a priority of the RF Ministry of Interior's activity. After all, the future of the whole Russian society, our state depends on the well-being of our children.
Speaking about the statistical data, I would offer figures which characterize the state of affairs. In 2009, about 106,000 crimes against minors were registered.
It is important to understand that in this case we are taking only registered crimes. As practice shows, the child abuse features high latency. The children who suffer are not quite aware of what has happened to them, those who are, do not know whom they could appeal for help.
MW. Caring of the younger generation is a mission of the whole society. Are other authorities and representatives of the public show much energy in this respect?
Minister. The Ministry of Interior has always been opened for participation of all healthy forces of the society in the solution of law enforcement problems, let alone those on which the future of our country depends.
We diligently involve all interested ministries and departments, the public in the solution of children's protection issues.
First of all, this falls within the limits of the Governmental Committee for minors and protection of their rights whose priority task is the care of children, along with working out and implementing the state policy in this respect.
Recently our sessions started to be broadcast in video conferencing facilities. Thus representatives of territorial law enforcement bodies and the executive power can now also take part in them.
At these meetings we carefully assort and analyze every piece of information, listen to reports of representatives of the regions and make decisions operatively.
As practice shows, the work of the committee yields positive tendencies.
MW. What public organizations, beside the Governmental Committee, take part in this work?
Minister. Over the last two years the Ministry has been actively co-operating with the Fund of support of children who are in difficult life situations. It shall be mentioned that law enforcement bodies of constituents of the Russian Federation take part in the development of many programs of the Fund. One of the projects implemented is the program "Protect children from violence!".
Also a number of other public organizations, funds make their contributions by actively helping children in difficult life situations today. This takes place under the aegis of the Public council at the Ministry of Interior of Russia. It comprises well-known politicians, sociologists, actors, artists, businessmen, religious figures.
MW. Does the Ministry of Interior of Russia maintain contacts with the RF President's Child Ombudsman in this respect?
Minister. The office of the Child Ombudsman for rights of children was established in 2009. Today, we are building up a base for interaction between the governmental committee, the Ministry of Interior of Russia and Pavel Alexeevich Astakhov who is appointed to this post.
As part of the governmental committee we visited regions and revealed, frankly speaking, sheer mess both in children's asylums, and in boarding houses. After many such checks Pavel Astakhov would make serious decisions which have made it possible to improve the situation, to punish the guilty and to restore normal conditions for the children.
We hope that this interaction will only increase, for we have a common mission of protecting the younger generation.
MW. Rashid Gumarovich, less than in a week the calendar summer starts. Many of kids will be guideless due to various reasons...
Minister. During this period the activity of many our services is focused on working with children. Traffic safety units perform a preventive operation "Caution - children!" which is aimed at prevention of children's injuries. Juvenile inspectors, precinct militia officers and family inspectors are engaged in working with families.
Every year, where possible, militia employees hold special meetings for difficult teenagers in the regions where they act as tutors. Besides, our employees arrange children's sports sections. This is absolutely free of charge.
Our task during this period is to reduce the number of guideless children in summer as much as possible. Only being careful towards our minors can we see a healthy generation of our country in the long term.
MW. Rashid Gumarovich, what new forms and methods are successfully introduced into the organization of work with minors?
Minister. The children's audience demands special, creative approaches.
For example, law lessons have proven useful and efficient lately. School inspectors arrange work of "young friends of militia". Thus, teenagers improve their legal competence.
Besides, the law enforcement bodies have been patronizing social establishments for minors for some years. Almost all boarding schools, children's establishment are actually under our attention. When there is attention children's hearts open. I am grateful to our employees of law enforcement bodies, underage inspectors, local, school and family inspectors who work with dedication, soul and heart caring for them as for their own children.
MW. And how do employees of juvenile departments succeed in find an approach to children? All children are absolutely different, after all. What is the secret?
Minister. You know, there is a saying: "Children should be loved, not withstood". Often employees of juvenile departments turn out to be closest friends for their wards. It is to them that "problem" teenagers come with their sorrows and joys, and at times they simply need a good and sincere talk. This is a true appraisal what one managed to achieve.
I always call this attitude "islets of trust and respect". This is a potential which only hearty people possess have irrespective of their place of employment and official duties.
I would like to wish all boys and girls to have a rest and behave well in the summer, for you are citizens of the great country Russia.
Broadcast "Conversation with the Minister" at radio station "Militia wave"
www.mvd.ru