Minors disallowed to be out after 11 p.m.

• 16.12.2009, 16:11

Deputies of Minsk city executive committee approved a ban to be out in the streets of Minsk for minors aged under 16.

The ban is valid from 11 p.m. till 6 a.m. Minors will be forbidden to go out in the streets and other public paces without parents, BelTA informs.

In case this norm would be violated, policemen have a right to draw up reports. Then the documents are to be considered by commissions for cases of minors of Minsk district administrations, and take measures of public influence within their capacity.

Leanid Farmahei, head of the Chief Directorate of Interior Affairs of Minsk city executive committee with a reference to an analysis of consolidated daily reports about crimes in Minsk, said that 40% of all crimes committed by minors or with their participation, are made by persons aged 16-17 in public places from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the same time, currently presence of minors in public places is not limited.

“Thus, adoption of a legal act limiting presence of minors in public places of Minsk at night would have positive impact on prevention of abandonment and crimes of underage,” he said.

Adoption of this issue caused debate at the session of the city council, which was triggered by a speech of deputies of the Youth chamber (which words in Minsk city council for the second year). They offered to lower age limit from 18 which had been offered initially, to 16 years. The deputies who made their offers and opinions admitted that the session had not passed so important decision for a long time. It was noted that Minsk City executive committee and Minsk council came near this topic several times, and so the time to determine conclusively had come.

As a result, in the vote 30 deputies supported the ban for minors under 16 to stay outside after 11 p.m., and 15 deputies voted against.

Meanwhile, Justice Ministry is to finish this case. The ministry is to carry out expert examination of the draft resolution of Minsk city council session.