Novorossisk hosts a picket for cancellation of curfew for teenagers

On March 7, another rally was held in the city of Novorossisk, Krasnodar Territory, demanding to cancel the curfew for children. The picketers voiced protest against two articles of the Law of the Krasnodar Territory of 21.07.2008 No. 1539-KZ "On Measures to Prevent Child Neglect and Minors' Offences in Krasnodar Territory".

The challenged articles stipulate that children under 7 shall not appear anytime in public places without their parents or lawful representatives, while minors aged 7-14 - from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and those aged 14-16 - from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

According to Vadim Karastelyov, one of the organizers of the picket and expert of the NGO named "Novorossisk Human Rights Committee", the action passed calmly. "The previous picket on February 24 attracted some 5-6 persons only, and no minors, touched by the curfew most of all. This time they self-organized, and came in a number of 35 persons, held slogans, and we have discussed with them that it is a violation of the Constitution," Vadim Karastelyov said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

A brochure was disseminated at the picket entitled "To Children's Law Victim", telling how a minor should behave if a patrol comes up to him or her; usually, a patrol consists of teachers, doctors and militiamen. The brochure explains that a militiaman only can talk to the teenager.

Vadim Karastelyov said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the organizers of the picket talked to militiamen who came up to the picketers and agreed that only militiamen should patrol the streets. The so-called "civil patrolmen" recruited from among teachers and doctors, in the picketers' opinion, are not professionals and have no due powers.

According to Mr Karastelyov, human rights defenders are not against the law as such, but against several chapters thereof, since they fall under the federal jurisdiction and regulate citizens' rights and freedoms.

"The raids are held since August 1, and until now we can't get an answer about any regulations on how they should be conducted. We visited the briefing held daily at the city's administration, where 'patrolmen' are instructed 'to catch' as many minors as possible and to impose as many fines as possible," said Vadim Karastelyov.

In spite of the fact that the "Children's Law" causes many questions in the Territory, so far not a single application was lodged by persons who were made responsible under it; human rights activists explain it by a strong pressure exerted by local authorities.

According to his story, parents who paid fines from 500 to 1000 roubles find their children innocent, but are afraid to file complaints. According to all available information, starting from August 1 last year to February 1 this year 4700 persons were fined in Novorossisk. "For the total city population of 250,000, it's a high share," said the human rights activist.

As to reaction of the population, and teenagers, in particular, the opinions published by the website "Our Novorossisk" on the "Children's Law" differed.

Thus, the user who signed with nickname snork named the law to be "raw and brainless". The user of the forum dypsy9 believes that after adoption of the law the level of offences in city centre went down.

The user with nickname darkk has noted that prior to pass the law, one should have set up conditions for normal children's pastime.

The forum visitor Vek1 has noted that "the administration is twisting out school directors' arms, who are forced to pay bonuses to patrolling teachers from the wage fund," as, in his opinion, nobody wants to go raiding free of charge.

No official viewpoint was ever expressed on the "Children's Law" by local authorities. At the reception room of the Novorossisk City Department of Internal Affairs (UVD), the question of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was written down; they took his contact phones and promised to call back. The telephones of the UVD's press were silent the whole day on March 10.