St. Petersburg Ombudsperson for Children’s Rights answers Yabloko’s question about inadmissibility of involving children in actions supporting the “special operation”

Press Release, 6.04.2022

Photo: Anna Mityanina / Photo by the Press Service of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg

Boris Vishnevsky, Deputy Chairman of the Yabloko party and an MP of the Legislative Assembly of St.Petersburg, asked Anna Mityanina, the regional Commissioner for Children’s Rights, a question during her annual report to the city parliament. Vishnevsky was interested in the actions undertaken by the Ombudsperson in connection with unlawful involvement of children in the actions in support of the “special operation” in Ukraine.

Vishnevsky noted that the Federal Law “On Education” prohibits the use of educational activities for political campaigning and provides for the right of schoolchildren and students to freedom of conscience, information, free expression of their own views and beliefs. However, according to a number of city media, there were facts observed in St. Petersburg of involving children in actions in support of the “special operation” in Ukraine: children were forced to draw posters, arranged exhibitions of children’s drawings, actively using the symbols with the letter Z, conducted lessons on this topic, posted photographs on social networks, and also kindergarten employees were made to line up so that to form of the same letter Z.

Children’s Ombudsman Anna Mityanina said that there were no applications from parents on the topic of involving children in political actions, but such cases conducted in educational institutions are a reason to think about this.

“I cannot say that I noticed some kind of violation of the child’s right to be involved in a mass event, but probably what you are talking about makes a reason to think about it. A reason for me to think about what is happening. I cannot say that it was within my control. I promise that I will think about this story,” Anna Mityanina said.

The Commissioner also added that she opposed participation of minors in public actions, regardless of  political orientation of such actions.

“I would like to once again reiterate for parents about the inadmissibility of participation of children in public actions. No matter the nature of such actions. I consider it illegal and unsafe. Because the crowd is always a crowd, it thinks like a crowd and there is no rational thinking and cannot be. Therefore, no one can ensure the safety of the child at mass events. I categorically protest when I see minors at rallies and processions,” Mityanina stressed.

It should be noted that federal law does not prohibit the participation of minors in public events. Moreover, the organiser of a rally or an assembly may be a citizen who has reached the age of 16. However, only citizens of full age can organise demonstrations, processions and picketing.

BORIS VISHNEVSKY

is Deputy Chairman of the Yabloko Party, member of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee and Bureau, and an MP of the Yabloko faction in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg