Putin names defense of children's rights among prosecutors' duties
MOSCOW. March 5 (Interfax) - Prosecutor's offices must give serious attention to the defense of minors' rights and to programs to provide orphaned children with housing, said President Vladimir Putin.
"The defense of minors' rights must remain under special control. The situation leaves much to be desired here. We are working intensively with civil society, and we instruct governments at all levels to support the family and to defend children's rights. You must join this work within the framework of your duties," Putin told senior officials of the Prosecutor General's Office.
As an example Putin cited the problem of providing orphaned children with housing, saying that local governments chose housing unfit for orphaned children to live in, or do not provide funding for this purpose at all. "Of course, one can always blame cash shortages for the failure to solve the problem, but local governments can always find money," Putin said.
"Almost 14,000 court orders to defend parentless children's rights have not been fulfilled. I would ask prosecutors, jointly with regional authorities, to concentrate on this sensitive problem," Putin said.
The president also urged prosecutors to deal with all instances of wage, benefit and compensation arrears, and other violations of citizens' labor and social rights.