Resolution on the fate of street children in Moscow
Date: 1997-06-12
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: Russia, abandoned child, child protection, welfare













EUR-Lex - 51997IP0486 - EN






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51997IP0486

Resolution on the fate of street children in Moscow  


Official Journal C 200 , 30/06/1997 P. 0177 





B4-0486 and 0515/97Resolution on the fate of street children in MoscowThe European Parliament,A. whereas in Moscow, as in other major cities in the Russian Federation, a considerable number of homeless children finds itself in the streets, while the municipal authorities are withholding any support on the ground that these children do not have the formal documents to prove their right of residence in Moscow,B. whereas several initiatives have been taken by private individuals and groups from civil society with a view to providing these children with housing, food and, where possible, education,C. whereas the municipal authorities in Moscow have repeatedly tried to close the 'Island of Hope¨ project claiming that the children concerned had no right to be in Moscow and therefore should not be provided with any support,D. whereas furthermore on 15 May 1997 elements from within the police and security forces broke into the "Island of Hope¨ building, physically abusing staff members, carrying away children, damaging property and calling for the closure of the entire operation,The European Parliament,1. Draws attention to the plight of the many street children in Moscow and other Russian cities, many of whom have no formal documents to prove their right of residence in Moscow and are therefore denied any support by the municipal services under rules dating from the Soviet regime;2. Welcomes the initiatives coming from civil society, such as the "Island of Hope¨, providing basic services such as housing and food to these destitute children;3. Is distressed by reports that the municipal authorities in Moscow are trying to close down such initiatives invoking rules dating from the Soviet era, thus effectively depriving these children of any support whatsoever;4. Is shocked by the ensuing physical attacks on 15 May 1997 by elements from within the police and security forces on the 'Island of Hope¨;5. Calls upon the municipal authorities in Moscow to allow for humanitarian reasons initiatives emanating from civil society that seek to provide basic services to street children, services the municipality itself in many cases refuses to provide, and calls upon the relevant authorities in Russia to restrain the police and security forces so as to prevent a repetition of the attack on 15 May 1997;6. Instructs its Delegation for Relations with the Russian Federation to discuss the plight of street children with the Mayor of Moscow during its next stay for the interparliamentary meeting in Moscow;7. Calls upon the Commission and the Council in the context of their relations with the Russian Federation to suggest a review as a priority matter of those rules from the Soviet era which prevent humanitarian initiatives from civil society;8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the President of the Russian Federation, the Russian Duma and the municipal authorities of Moscow.