Public hearings “Preservation of the Post of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights as a Guarantee for Observation of Minors’ Rights” took place in the Independent Press Centre in Moscow on the International Children's Day, June 1.
The hearings were motioned by an unexpected and surprising amendment submitted by the United Russia to the Moscow City Duma envisaging elimination of the institute of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights in Moscow.
Andrei Babushkin, deputy chair of the Moscow YABLOKO, Chair of the Civil Rights Committee and member of the Coordination Council of the All-Russia Union “Civil Society for Russia’s Children” was the anchor at the hearings.
Eugeni Bunimovich, Deputy of the Moscow City Duma from the YABLOKO faction and author of the draft law “On Ombudsman for Children’s Rights in Moscow” expressed his astonishment at the United Russia’s move. According to Bunimovich, “children’s rights have been virtually unprotected, as they were neglected in the law “On Ombudsman.” The situation somewhat changed only after the Moscow Mayor vetoed the amendments and the Moscow City Duma adopted amendments envisaging that protection of children’s rights should be in the focus of ombudsman’s attention. Bunimovich expressed his hope that the institute of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights would be completely restored in Moscow, however, he said he would not expect that this might happen soon.
Oleg Zykov, President of the Russian Charity Fund “No to Alcohol and Drugs” said that elimination of the institute of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights was in line with the general policies of our state which virtually neglected children. He called the audience to file a law suit as such a decision of the municipal authorities affected children’s rights. Some of the speakers supported this proposal.
Human rights activist and member of the YABLOKO Bureau Valery Borschyov reiterated that children can not independently protect their rights. “Elimination of the post of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights means that children’s rights are not a priority for the Moscow government,” he said in his speech.
Valentine Gefter, Director of the Human Rights Institute, said that “we should not retreat from our positions in protection of human rights and children’s rights.” He called the meeting to spare no effort so that the post of Ombudsman should be taken by a person who would also realise the importance of the post of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights.
Chair of the Moscow Helsinki Group Ludmila Alexeyeva called this act of the United Russia “a shame for Moscow”. “We have been applying all our efforts so that all the regions of our country rather than 20 regions only would have ombudsmen for children’s rights,” she said. She also characterised the work of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights as a real help for children. “I am simply crying not only because they plan to eliminate the post of ombudsman for children’s rights, but also to oust Alexei Golovan from this position,” Alexeyeva said.
Representative of the office of Ombudsman for Children’s Rights Natalia Antonova thanked the participants of the hearings for their stepping for the ombudsman’s rights.
See also:
Human Rights
Moscow ombudsman will protect children’s rights. Press Release. May 20, 2009.
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