About 6 thousand requests were processed by the specialists of the Nizhny Novgorod "Rights Protection Service".

      April 7, 2026 16:06 Society On April 6, in Nizhny Novgorod, a meeting of the supervisory board of the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization "Rights Protection Service" took place at the "Kupno.Start" venue. During the event, the results of the service's work for 2025 were summarized. Specialists successfully processed about 6,000 requests received from people with mental disorders, their relatives, orphans, and children left without parental care.

      The meeting was attended by Senator of the Russian Federation Olga Shchetinina, Minister of Social Development and Family Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Igor Sedykh, Deputy Minister of Health of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Tatiana Kovalenko, Regional Commissioner for Human Rights Oksana Kislytsina, Advisor to the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and author of the People's Front project "Region of Care" Nyuta Federmesser.

      The "Rights Protection Service" was established in 2021 at the initiative of the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin and with the support of the social project of the People's Front "Region of Care." In August 2026, the service is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary – five years since its founding. Throughout this time, specialists have provided free legal and psychological assistance to residents of Nizhny Novgorod, including those living in social protection institutions. Since 2021, the organization has handled about 22,000 requests, 97% of which were successfully resolved.

      "The situation in Nizhny Novgorod boarding schools is beginning to change thanks to the open doors of institutions, the willingness of relevant ministries and staff to cooperate. In 2025, we received about six thousand requests: in 824 cases, we helped people obtain quality medical care, 44 residents of boarding schools participated in supported living projects, 67 residents of boarding schools found their relatives, and 46 people from institutions were officially employed. We see qualitative changes in the situation and understand that we need to move forward. One of the priority areas for the service in 2026 is closer cooperation with psychiatric hospitals and dispensaries," said the director of the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization "Rights Protection Service" Ekaterina Kantinova.

      In 2025, the service's lawyers and experts sent more than 940 documents to boarding schools and agencies to protect and restore the rights of people with mental disorders and orphans (comprehensive recommendations, legal positions). With the organization's support, 105 people did not end up in psychiatric institutions and boarding schools – families received the necessary assistance, and people were able to stay at home. Lawyers also helped 14 residents of Nizhny Novgorod with mental disorders annul illegal debts.

      In addition, specialists made over 550 visits to various institutions, including psychiatric hospitals. Previously, joint work there was conducted only on a case-by-case basis, but now the service plans to organize regular visits and monitoring in hospitals in the Nizhny Novgorod Region to provide additional support for both patients and staff.

      Ekaterina Kantinova also reported on the results of other projects initiated by the service. One of them – the "Prevention of Sexualized Violence" project – was launched with the support of the charitable foundation "Absolute Help." In 2025, psychologists conducted 116 consultations on cases of violence, helped rehabilitate 16 children who became victims of crimes, and accompanied minors during investigative actions.

      "Protecting children's rights is an unconditional priority for us, especially in the Five-Year Family declared by the governor in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. We must do everything to ensure that every child feels safe. By supporting this important project implemented by the service, we help prevent crimes and support children who, unfortunately, have experienced traumatic experiences. This is necessary for them to return to a normal life," noted the Minister of Social Development and Family Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Igor Sedykh.

      According to specialists, the geography of requests received by the service is expanding: last year, 322 requests came from other regions of Russia. People report difficulties in obtaining assistance and the closed nature of boarding schools and psychiatric hospitals. They believe that the existing system for protecting rights is insufficient in the regions.

      Nyuta Federmesser emphasized that the Nizhny Novgorod "Rights Protection Service" is the only organization in the country that works proactively. It independently identifies violations without waiting for complaints and facilitates their elimination.

      "This model has proven its effectiveness, establishing itself as a 'helping service' rather than a punitive supervisory body. Today, the Tyumen Region is launching its own human rights project 'The Right to a Dignified Life.' Tyumen has every chance of becoming the second successful region where a proactive protection model is implemented, providing professional and selfless protection of rights and freedoms to people who do not recognize social risks," shared Nyuta Federmesser.

      To report a violation of the rights of orphans or people with mental illnesses, you can contact the free 24-hour hotline of the "Rights Protection Service" at: +7 (987) 744-84-10. Specialists will provide consultations and all necessary support.

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