Ombudsperson on child's rights in Rostov Region asks to cancel "curfew" in Novocherkassk

Alla Vasilieva, Ombudsperson for the rights of the child in the Rostov Region, has addressed the Regional Prosecutor's Office asking to react to the illegal, in her opinion, decision of the Mayor of Novocherkassk, restricting the stay of children outdoor late in the evening without accompanying adults.

"The decision passed by the Mayor of the city of Novocherkassk, in my opinion, is illegal, since regulation of the issues of defending the rights and freedoms of the child refers to the powers of the federal level. Besides, the decision is contrary to other provisions of the current legislation," said Ms Vasilieva.

The decision of the Mayor of Novocherkassk dated October 30 recommends the officials to take measures not to admit the stay of children under seven in public places and in the streets without accompanying adults at any time of the day.

Children aged 7-14 are prohibited to stay outdoor without adults from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and teenagers from 14 to 18 - from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., the RIA "Novosti" reports.

Let us note here that on December 17 Russian President Dmitri Medvedev brought in to the lower parliament chamber the bill "On Making Changes in the Federal Law 'On Fundamental Guarantees of the Rights of the Child in the Russian Federation'".

Currently, the curfew exists in 15 Russian regions and is regulated by the Article "On Responsibility for Connivance to Presence of Minors in Public Places at Night Hours" of the Code on Administrative Offences (the so-called "CoAP"). The "Gazeta.Ru" reports that every region is free to set up the age limits, permitted time to stay out and fines for breaching the regulations.

In the opinion of human rights activists, should the "curfew" be introduced for all Russian teenagers, it will bring much more harm than good. "I think that this curfew will make teenagers feel outcasts; and they won't observe it all the same, but will start deceiving or bribing militiamen. Anyhow, they'll find a way to bypass it," said Boris Altshuller, head of the Foundation "Children's Law".