The institute of honorary citizenship has been foreseen more than once at various stages of the development of Russian legislation. Where did this trend come from? Who is the title of "honorary citizen" supposed to be today? Why? You can find answers to these and other equally important questions in the process of studying the material presented in the article.
The concept of honorary citizenship
Honorary citizenship is nothing more than a form of rewarding an individual directly for outstanding services. One way or another, they relate to improving the welfare and prestige of the population of a particular territorial unit. It can be a city, commune, region, region, or the state as a whole.
It is interesting to know that honorary citizenship disappeared in the Soviet Russian state along with the destruction of ranks and estates. A significant addition is that the concept under consideration with respect to cities has not been abolished, but nevertheless, attention to it has significantly decreased. Why did the title of honorary citizen of the city then practically ceased to exist? Most likely, the reason for this was the situation, which suggested that the bulk of the special categories of citizens who were awarded such a high rank directly for charity belong to the estates that carry out and regulate government processes.
It was then that fundamentally different forms of recognition by society, known at the present stage of development of the Russian state, began their legal existence. So, the sign “Honorary Citizen of Russia” at that time was replaced by worthy alternatives in the form of the titles of honorary deputy of the Council, honorary Red Army man or honorary drummer. In addition, special attention from government bodies was paid to the Stakhanovites, workers and collective farmers. The ranks of honorary residents of various cities (citizens), as well as honorary peasants, were of particular relevance. It is important to add that the above rewards for outstanding services, which set the starting point for their existence back in the days of the Soviet Union, in accordance with their content, had much in common directly with modern honorary citizenship.
Pages of history
As it turned out in the first chapter, the institution of honorary citizenship was almost completely eradicated. Nevertheless, the title of honorary citizen of Russia resumed his life after a certain period of time. So, already in 1967 it was introduced by the state authorities in thirty-six centers of republican, regional and regional purposes. Very interesting is the fact that soon such a worthy title began to be awarded in almost all centers. The insignia was relevant for citizens at various levels, whether it was a republican, regional or regional degree. In addition, state authorities introduced awards to active residents of cities, regional centers, agro-towns (urban-type settlements), as well as villages. It was quite unexpected that the official ranks began to be established for honorary citizens of the district, district and, of course, the region.
Honorary citizenship has finally received official legalization directly in the regulatory legislation regarding state local governments.As a rule, it came down to the release of two important documents. The first of these was the decision to carry out the operation to establish an honorary title. The second was the provision on conferring the title of honorary citizen.
It is important to add that over the years of relevance of Soviet power, the status considered in the article was assigned to a great many outstanding personalities. Among them is Yuri Alekseevich Gagariy. After all, it is impossible not to know about his merits to the Motherland! The fact is that he received not only the title of honorary citizen of Russia, but also similar thanks from various cities. In the process of making accurate calculations, it turned out that Yuri Alekseevich “conquered” more than three hundred cities of the Russian state.
By the way, the names of absolutely all honorable citizens were recorded in accordance with the chronological sequence in a book specially established for these purposes. It is important to supplement what was called the "Book of honorary citizens of the city." Storage was carried out directly in the city council. It is difficult to argue that today it can be considered a peculiar history of such an institution as honorary citizenship, amazing and interesting.
Another variant
The second option in terms of honorary citizenship was defined in the corresponding Law, issued in 1991. Thus, in accordance with the eighth article of this legislative act, it was determined that an individual who was not a citizen of the Russian state, but who had outstanding services directly to Russia or the world community, could be provided with a certificate of honorary citizen of Russia Federation. What is the main difference between this provision? The fact is that the previous options regarding honorary citizenship, which were used in the Russian state, were mainly and exclusively related to its citizens. This distinction applied only to citizens of other countries.
In accordance with the second part of the eighth article of the Law in question, honorary citizens of the Russian state had similar rights that were directly applicable to residents of the Russian Federation under the Regulation on Honorary Citizenship of the Russian Federation. Due to the fact that such a situation was not accepted by the state authorities, such situations regarding the granting of citizenship are not known.
Current law
The Act on Honorary Citizenship, published in 2002, currently relevant, does not provide for the incentive form considered in the article. Nevertheless, in certain regions of the Russian Federation its application is still valid today (most likely due to the relevant habits and traditions).
For example, the first article of the Law of the Saratov Region of July 20, 1997 “On the Honorary Resident of the Saratov Region” defines the following: the title of honorary citizen of the region must be established for such purposes as the recognition of the outstanding achievements and merits of those citizens who made a significant contribution in the development of the production, scientific, educational, cultural, as well as state areas of society, and also showed heroism and courage directly in the process of fulfilling citizens debt retirement homes on the protection of the Fatherland, the actual human rights and freedoms.
Below are the grounds for awarding such a high title of honorary citizens under the eleventh article of the Law of the Saratov Region:
- Fame among citizens of the Saratov region, wearing a long-term and sustainable character. It is important to add that honorary citizenship is granted, as a rule, due to the active charitable activity of a resident of the region.
- The commission of truly heroic courageous acts directly for the benefit of the entire region, as well as its inhabitants.
- The authority of the person in relation to the citizens of the region. As a rule, this is achieved through various activities with outstanding results, both for the region and for the Russian Federation as a whole. By the way, it can be such spheres as culture, science, politics, management, social movement and so on.
Title Order
It is important to note that the title of honorary citizen is awarded in a personal way. In addition, it is life-long for citizens of Russia, foreign citizens and stateless persons of a country, and does not respond under any circumstances. So, a diploma, a ribbon, and a badge are handed over to the honorary person on the part of state authorities. All of these characters are official confirmation of such a high status. By the way, in this case, the delivery of a certain document, which in writing confirms the fact of directly awarding the individual this title, as well as issuing a special certificate, is also relevant.
It is interesting to add that in the absence of the necessary person on delivery due to unforeseen circumstances or death, the title of honorary citizen of the city, for example, is awarded to its heirs. In addition, such a large-scale event takes place directly in the presence of deputies, as well as members of the public.
Today, all honorary citizens of various levels are vested with the right to publicly use this title because of their big name. In this regard, the relevant information must be included in the book of honorary citizens of a certain region or region, if any, within thirty days from the date of assignment of status. As a rule, it is stored in the regional Duma.
Benefits of Honorary Citizens
An honorary citizen of St. Petersburg, for example, must be invited to events that are dedicated to public holidays, city anniversaries and similar important events. In addition, in this case, the anniversaries of individuals who are awarded the title of honorary citizen are celebrated. After the death of a person with such a high status, a letter, ribbon, badge and, of course, the official certificate, which were described in the previous chapter, are deposited in the museum of local lore. It is important to supplement this paragraph with information that the heirs of an honorary citizen have the right to slightly change the course of events and not to send the symbolism to the museum. An interesting fact is the following: the title, the information about which is considered in the article, is not assigned to individuals who have an unexpunged or outstanding conviction.
Rights of Honorary Citizen
In accordance with applicable law, an honorary citizen has the right:
- Penetrate into those premises and buildings occupied by public authorities, as well as local authorities. To do this, you only need to present the appropriate certificate.
- The Chairman of the Duma, the governor or other officials of state authorities, heads of self-government bodies at the local level, and heads of enterprises, organizations, and also state-level institutions located in the corresponding territory should immediately receive an honorary citizen if necessary.
- To be served in any hall of official delegations at automobile, railway, river stations and at airports of the corresponding territorial unit.
Honorary Citizen Title: Benefits and Compensation
Those who, in the opinion of the state, deserve the title of honorary citizen, are paid some compensation in cash. So, in the process of its formation by the relevant state bodies, the following expenses were taken into account:
- The occupied total area of residential premises (directly within the limits of social norms) is fifty percent.
- Utilities (in accordance with consumer standards for utilities, and for those who live in houses that are not endowed with central heating - fuel purchased within certain standards defined for sale to the population, and, of course, transport services for the implementation of high-quality delivery of this fuel) - in the amount of fifty percent.
- The subscription fee for a telephone, a collective antenna and a radio is fifty percent.
- Traveling on absolutely all types of public transport (an exception to this rule is a taxi) - in the amount of one hundred percent of the cost (fifty trips are provided monthly).
- Travel by public transport in relation to the suburbs (this must include road transport, water and rail) - in the amount of one hundred percent of the cost of 24 trips in an annual aspect.
- Travel by intercity public transport directly within the boundaries of the respective territorial unit - in the amount of one hundred percent of the cost of eight trips in an annual ratio.
- Medicines that are acquired by an honorary citizen according to prescriptions formed in the statutory procedure - in the amount of one hundred percent.
- Annual trips to the sanatorium (rest house, boarding house or dispensary), which, one way or another, is located on the corresponding rank of citizen of the territory - in the amount of the cost of this permit. In addition, rest outside the region is possible. In this case, the amount of the cost of the voucher should not exceed the similar cost if the citizen preferred to relax inside the region.
What is the difference between honorary citizens?
It is important to note that the considered category of citizens are honored guests of all settlements of the corresponding territorial unit at celebrations in connection with the days of the foundation of these settlements. In addition, people with an honorary title are entitled to participate in events of a festive nature for free. It is important to note that the compensation payment in respect of payment of accommodation for the duration of these events falls on the shoulders of the relevant state bodies at actual costs.
By the way, an individual who is entitled to receive benefits or compensation payments due to a number of reasons established by the relevant state bodies of the Russian Federation by law, the provision of these benefits or compensation for expenses of a citizen is carried out in accordance with one of the grounds of his choice.
In addition to the above rights and benefits, honorary citizens can receive a monthly pension supplement, which is assigned directly on the basis of federal laws and, as a rule, is equal to fifteen thousand rubles. It is important to add that the assignment of the surcharge is carried out exclusively at the request of the individual, who is entitled under the Law mentioned above to this surcharge on a monthly basis. By the way, the formation procedure, the corresponding amounts and recalculations are usually established by the governor.
An individual who is entitled to receive not one type of pension supplements, but several due to certain reasons provided for by the legislation of Russia, is paid only one of the possible types at the option of an honorary citizen. It is important to add that the government is responsible for financing costs directly related to the implementation of the Act. So, they are covered by the state budget.
Who can be appointed an honorary citizen?
It is important to know that the initiation of the question directly, as well as the presentation of candidates for the award of an honorary citizen, is carried out if they agree at the request and initiative of the deputies of the corresponding territorial unit. It should also be noted that the number of assigned titles should not exceed two in annual terms. It is very interesting that the consideration of the issue of making the final decision on the awarding of such a high status can take place if there is no person represented. The certificate, as well as the certificate of an honorary citizen of a certain territorial unit must be signed by the chairman of the Duma.