.........................................................

home

.........................................................

contact us

.........................................................

 INFORMATION FOR THE MEDIA

October 5, 2005

Samara, Russia

"ATTACK ON FREEDOM: WE REMONSTRATE CURFEW INTRODUCTION IN SAMARA"

On October 5 Progressive Youth Union arranged a piquet at Samara Regional Parliament to oppose the curfew introduction for teenagers in Samara Region

On October 5 at 1 PM Democratic Movement "Progressive Youth Union" arranged a piquet at Samara Regional Parliament to express its concern for inadmissibility for the curfew introduction in Samara Region. The rally gathered quite prominent young leaders such DJs, VJs and public figures. Representatives of Russian Democratic Party Yabloko, LDPR, Samara Public Association as well as Amnesty International Samara Group came to support the rally.

Earlier, on September 27, Samara Regional Parliament (Duma) passed in the first reading the bill proposed by the regional Ministry of Culture and Youth Politics that should insert amendments to the Regional Administrative Law and introduce penalties for presence of persons under 14 years old without their parents at night time (10 pm – 6 am) at public places (streets, parks, courts, railway stations, entertaining places and somebody else's houses). In other words, the issue is the curfew introduction in the region.

"We consider this initiative pointless, repressive and unlawful. We suppose this bill is in conflict with the Russian Constitution, federal and international law, human and children rights. Moreover, we believe it is a retrograde remnant of the Soviet Past", - the Union Leader Alexander Andreev stated. The  Union activists expressed that any limitation of citizens’ freedom and introduction of penalties in the situation simply cannot reduce crime rates, drugs or alcohol abuse and other antisocial effects. These social problems should be solved with specially developed target programs, efficient work of governmental authorities responsible for children and youth, militia, as well as the improvement of social and economic conditions of life, education and family well-being of citizens. Moreover, in case of this bill finally passed the criminal situation in the streets of Samara Region may even become much worse as a result of extra work for militia to search for young people at streets and public places at nighttime. We believe it’s bizarre that such amendments are under serious consideration by the legislature of Samara Region at all. The activists expressed regret that this bill was passed even in the first reading.  "We consider the pass of this bill may become an act of populism in public opinion, which will show that government is unable to carry out its policies dealing with children and youth affairs efficiently, with adequate and civilized means. We are sure that such a curfew introduction will affect negatively the image of Samara Region as quite a progressive and liberal Russian region", - Alexander Andreev said.

The Union activists suggested to the regional parliament members that the legislative initiative be reconsidered, analyzed on its correspondence to federal and international law, human and children rights, and the bill be rejected in further readings. The activists appealed to Speaker of Parliament Viktor Sazonov, Chair of Social Committee Nikolay Musatkin,  Regional Commissioner for Human Rights Irina Skupova and Regional Commissioner for Children Rights Tatyana Kozlova. The Union suggested establishing in Samara Regional Parliament a public commission that could make decisions how to reduce juvenile crimes with civilized means. The Union activists are ready for active and leading participation in its establishment and work. 

The Union Press Service