PROGRAM OF THE RUSSIAN-FRENCH SEMINAR HELD AT THE SOUTHERN FEDERAL DISTRICT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION “ON MANAGEMENT OF CRISIS SITUATIONS”

Abstract: We proudly present to you the special edition of the “Law and Politics” journal based upon the materials of the Russian-French seminar which took place at the Southern Federal District of the Russian Federation in Rostov-on-Don on April 28, 2005 and was devoted to the topical problems of crisis management by the state bodies. As Ambassador of France in Russia Jean Cadet, who took part in this seminar, has noted, among the challenges faced by the government bodies of all the states, the following issues are of great importance and urgency: What are the concepts of crisis prevention? What should be done to save the people in a crisis situation? How is the state to ensure the victims’ interests under the vigilant watch mass media? How to remain within the legal framework and protect the values of freedom and democracy, when the safety and security are at stake and every minute of inaction counts? During the seminar leading experts representing various government departments of Russia and France gave their answers to these and other related questions. In particular, the seminar concerned the role of government structures in crisis management, dealing with natural and man-made catastrophes, cooperation with mass media and international cooperation. The special issue of our journal also includes voluminous extracts from a number of French normative legal acts related to fighting terorrism. In particular, we present extracts from the Criminal Code of the Republic of France, the Criminal Procedural Code of the Republic of France, a number of Circulars of Minister of Justice of France (inofficial translation). We suppose that these extracts shall be of interest to our readers within the framework of the seminar materials.