Astrakhan administration evicts Society of Invalids

The administration of the city of Astrakhan has notified the Astrakhan Regional Branch of the All-Russian Public Organization "Russian Society of Invalids" about termination of leasing contracts on five rooms. In response, the Society has accused bureaucrats of ignoring the laws of the Russian Federation.

On December 5, the Chairman of the Astrakhan Regional Society of Invalids received a letter from the Soviet District Branch informing about the refusal of the district administration to prolong the lease contract of the non-residential premises, housing the office of the branch, an orthopaedic workshop, a store of household chemicals and a dentist office, through the earnings from which the organization exists.

"We were not provided with another similar premises; so, it turns out that invalids were just evicted into the street, right at the time when the whole of Russia is implementing the programme for the disabled 'Accessible Environment'; and on May 3 the President signed the Federal Law 'On Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'," says the statement.

The public organization of the Astrakhan Region counts about 8000 people; and the reception rooms accept people independent of their membership in the society.

According to a source from the regional administration, on December 10, a sitting of the Coordinating Council for Invalids under the Governor of the Region took place, where Governor Alexander Zhilkin instructed his officials to deal with the situation before December 14.