Say No to Extremism!

Today deputies of the republican parliament and members of the Public Youth Chamber under State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan held a video conference with students of the humanitarian boarding school for talented children of the Aktanyshsky municipal district. Meeting participants told students about the work conducted to fight against extremism and terrorism in the republic.

The event was organized within the framework of a one-month campaign “Say No to Extremism” that started in Tatarstan on September 1, 2014. This public action is aimed at strengthening of interethnic and interreligious harmony and prevention of terrorism and extremism in the republic.

Responding to students’ questions about the laws adopted against extremism, chairman of the RT State Council’s Committee on law and order Rafil Nugumanov said that after the attack on the Muslim clergy, Tatarstan State Council gathered for an extraordinary session. As a result, a law “On the status and measures for the prevention and combating religious extremism in the Republic of Tatarstan” was adopted. This document listed specific recommendations to public authorities aimed at strengthening safety of the republic, enhancing the atmosphere of mutual understanding and harmony, as well as preservation of existing tolerant relations between people of different faiths and nationalities. At the same meeting, the deputies passed a bill amending the RT Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”, which in a certain way aimed at combating extremism.

In addition, the MP noted that at the meetings of the Committee its members not only listen to the reports delivered by the Prosecutor's Office of Tatarstan, Ministry of Internal Affairs of the republic but also give specific recommendations for further work to be done.

Rafil Nugumanov assured that the internal affairs authorities are doing everything possible to protect the public from terrorist acts.

Concluding the event, the chairman of the Public Youth Chamber under RT State Council Evgenii Efimov noted that throughout a year youth organizations are actively participating in the development of new ideas and projects aimed at the prevention of extremism and terrorism in the youth environment. He thanked the pupils for their interest in this important topic and encouraged them to share their suggestions and ideas to develop new projects in Tatarstan.