The session involved representatives of the national civil committee for interaction with law-enforcement agencies, legislatures and judicial bodies, the Civil Society independent organization, the Public Acclaim national foundation, as well as representatives of Russias executive, legislative and judicial branches.

According to the resolution, the state and civil society must

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pool their efforts because this is the only way to cope with present-day threats and challenges. Moreover, civil-society institutions must expand their cooperation with law-enforcement structures for the sake of countering international terrorism and enhancing peoples vigilance.

With this in mind, the joint sessions delegates deem it necessary to revive the activity of peoples patrols in every possible way. Youth patrols must also be established, with private security-agency personnel, members of public associations and civil unions (namely, former law-enforcement officers and secret-service operatives) helping uphold law and order, as well, the document goes on to say.

The resolution also notes the need for stepping up civilian control over the activity of law-enforcement agencies; this concerns the observance of citizens constitutional rights and legitimate interests, first and foremost, as well as the implementation of federal law-enforcement programs.

The Russian Interior Ministry estimates that this country now has more than 37,000 public law-enforcement associations, 18,000 peoples patrols and 1,000 Cossack patrols. All these organizations detained more than 16,000 criminals over the 2004 period, also detaining 347,000 people for various administrative violations.

MOSCOW, November 26 (RIA Novosti)