Minors - special attention
The protection of the rights and legitimate interests of minors, ensuring safe conditions for their life and health, and preventing accidents involving children are priority tasks of the state and local authorities.
The analysis of crimes committed by minors in the district in 2016 shows that, thanks to the preventive measures taken, there has been no increase in juvenile delinquency.
The main causes of these crimes were family dysfunction, lack of proper parental control, and the inaction of preventive entities, including inadequate organization of preventive work with minors prone to unlawful behavior by the college.
Serious concern is raised by the alcoholization of youth. Alcohol abuse is considered one of the main reasons for many offenses committed by adolescents. Under Article 17.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, 29 minors were brought to justice in 2016, most of whom were students of Vidzovsky Vocational Training College.
Thirty-two adults were also held administratively liable for involving minors in anti-social behavior, as well as five retail workers for selling alcohol to individuals under the age of 18.
It is evident that the main causes of youth alcoholization are family dysfunction, lack of proper parental control, and sometimes the inaction of preventive entities.
The district prosecutor's office found that in some educational institutions, the preventive council does not fulfill its assigned functions, work plans are formed without considering the criminogenic situation, and planned activities are often formal and do not contribute to preventing unlawful behavior among students.
The district prosecutor's office also analyzed the administrative practices of the Commission for Minors and the administrative commission of the district executive committee. As a result of the analysis, violations of the requirements of the Code of Administrative Offenses were identified, illegal decisions were challenged and revoked. During supervisory activities in 2016, facts of illegal administrative liability of minors by the Braslav District Police Department were also revealed.
Last year, necessary measures were taken to comply with the requirements of Decree No. 18 "On Additional Measures for the State Protection of Children in Dysfunctional Families." As of January 1, 2017, the percentage of reimbursement for the maintenance of children under state care in the district was 51.78%.
In order to comply with the requirements of Decree No. 18 and to prevent violations of legislation, the district prosecutor's office officially warned six obligated persons during the analyzed period, and disciplinary proceedings were initiated by the district prosecutor against four individuals.
The issue of early detection of family dysfunction remains significant, as it not only poses a real threat to the life and health of children but is also the main cause of negative manifestations in the adolescent environment, neglect, and the death of minors. As of January 1, 176 children from 99 families in the district were recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation. Relevant authorities and services in the district are taking necessary measures to protect the rights and legitimate interests of minors; however, there are still cases of non-recognition and untimely recognition of children as being in a socially dangerous situation.
The prevention of accidents involving children remains under constant control of the district prosecutor's office.
Yuri Kezik,
District Prosecutor