Russia's ombudsman for children's rights Pavel Astakhov has proposed enclosing kindergartens, schools and daycare centers with high solid fences in order to protect children from the gazes of potential abusers.
“There can never be too many security measures,” Astakhov told state-run Rossiya television on Wednesday. “We believe they must be fortified — nontransparent fences should be placed around children's institutions.”
The idea to surround children by opaque fences, impenetrable to the eye, was prompted by a series of complaints about strangers watching children in schoolyards or playgrounds, Astakhov was quoted by Interfax as saying.
The proposal also comes on the heels of an alleged kidnapping case in the Ural Mountains city of Chelyabinsk this week.
Police detained a man on Tuesday on suspicion of having abducted an 9-year-old boy from an orphanage the previous weekend, and have rescued the boy, the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.