Russia to choose between "Militia" and "Police"

The new Law on the Police is being widely discussed in Russia, and for the first time in the country’s recent history, every citizen can make a suggestion about the important document.

The Law on the Police was published in the afternoon of August 7th on the Internet, and the first contribution appeared a  few minutes later. The contributor was answering the question as to whether it  was wise to throw open such an important legislative piece to a nationwide discussion. Russians have said it loud and clear that they support the change and want to take part in the creation of a new law enforcement system in the country. Teyub Sharifov, a member of the International Union of Advocates had this  to  say on the issue:

"Citizens are taking active part in discussing a new legislative piece because it  will have a bearing on their personal interests, rights and liberty."

The discussion of the law on the police is an important stage in the process of creating a civil society in Russia. The drafts of new laws had been published in the past, but they usually attracted little interest of the public except the experts. But the one on the police has woken the entire nation because it is a new level of the interaction between the rulers and the ruled, said Pavel Lebedev of the Foundation for Public Opinion.

"The opening of the  new daft law  to  public debate and suggestions of possible amendments represents a new level; it is not  simply a  question of  finding out the citizens’ opinion, but an appeal for their input to the new law. Many people have already noticed that the new edition of the law  is  changing the work of the law  enforcement bodies. In recent times, the number of people who are unhappy with the work of the militia had passed the critical point. The new law speaks about “respect” and  “protect” the rights and liberty of the citizens , but in the  past it was  only to “observe”.  There will now be a strict accountability, which was the  case also in the past, but which was a mere formality," said Lebedev.

The main criteria for judging the work of the police is to be the opinion of the citizen and not statistical evidence. The problem of cadres will from now on assume a new dimension, points out Sergei Rihovsky of the Public Council in the Interior Ministry.

"There will be a  gradual  cleanup of the police, involving the use of several methods like a trial of honesty, suitability, moral probity  and professionalism. The exercise will last for one year to one and half years," declared Rihovsky, adding that the building of  a civil  society in Russia will  take a longer time since it  can be achieved only in stages.