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Russia needs law on basics of family policy

We must think not twice but a hundred times before passing a law on the family policy,” Astakhov stressed

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, November 20 (Itar-Tass) - Russia needs a state concept and a federal law on the basics of the family policy, Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner, Pavel Astakhov, told the national forum called The Sanctity of Motherhood in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday.

According to Astakhov, the Russian coordinating council on national strategy of actions in the interests on children will meet for its first session on November 22. One of the council’s top priorities is to pass a federal law on the family policy. “The forum is a perfect platform to discuss this issue, since its discussion involved entire society and people may have a say in the bill,” he noted.

He warned against rash copying of foreign experience, when territorial interests might prevail over the interests of a family and when the situation might be carried to the point of absurdity.

“Speaking about the general situation in Russia, while passing laws in the area of protection we must foresee society’s response to them. We should refrain from instruments that might disintegrate the family. That is why any bill in this sphere should be thoroughly studied, we must think not twice but a hundred times before passing a law on the family policy,” Astakhov stressed.

Among key tasks of the institution of children’s rights commissioners, in his words, are efforts to keep the native biological family for children and help parentless children. He called to develop the system of adoption in the country. “It’s time to stop exporting our children,” he said.