At a working meeting with Head of the Republic of Khakassia and chair of the regional government Valentin Konovalov, the Children’s Rights Commissioner stressed the importance of preventing the causes of orphanhood and reducing the number of social orphans. Maria Lvova-Belova believes that the family support system must be adjusted to ensure that children are separated from parents only in critical situations.
The Commissioner pointed out that the performance evaluation system for managers of children’s social institutions often focuses only on the efforts to place children in care, with no attention given to the work to return them to their families or to maintain communication with parents. The main goal, however, is to preserve the family circle for a child and to assist families in resolving issues and overcoming difficulties.
There are no specialised institutions for children under the age of three left without parental care and they live in hospitals without any legal status. According to Maria Lvova-Belova, a solution will be found, in cooperation with Khakassian authorities, to overturn the situation.
At the meeting with heads of the republican bodies and institutions responsible for preventing neglect of minors and wrongdoings by minors, as well as with members of the Commission for Minors’ Affairs and Protection of Their Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova presented recommendations for improving the child protection system in Khakassia.
She reported that following the nationwide inspection, a report will be prepared for the President by June 1, 2025, outlining proposals for improving the system of preventing social orphanhood across the country. Additionally, a registry of most common issues and solutions will be developed, along with a map of successful practices and a ranking of regions by their progress in preventing social orphanhood. The Commissioner stressed that the ranking should be used by regional governments as guidance for further improvements.
During the working trip, Maria Lvova-Belova and Valentin Konovalov gifted cars to 12 families with seven or more children. The Commissioner wished the families more quality time together.
The Children’s Rights Commissioner visited the Teremok Republican Children’s Home and a social rehabilitation centre for minors. She held public reception hours and met with the families of special military operation personnel killed in action at the Defender of the Fatherland Foundation.