MOSCOW — A bill that would decriminalize some forms of domestic violence in Russia passed a key stage in the Duma on Wednesday.

The bill, dubbed the “slapping law,” decriminalizes a first offense of domestic violence that does not seriously injure the person, making it a less serious administrative offense. The bill also includes violence against children.

More than 85% of legislators in Russia’s Duma approved the bill — seen as part of President Vladimir Putin’s drive to appease conservative pushing “traditional family values” — on Wednesday in its second reading. It will need a third reading and vote before going to the upper house and then to the president to sign into law.

The bill’s sponsors, including conservative senator Yelena Mizulina, say the proposed law would simply bring family law into line with reforms passed last summer that loosened punishment for other minor assaults.

Mizulina, a staunch proponent of traditional values, was also the author of Russia’s controversial “gay propaganda law,” which prohibits “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships.”

The Russian Orthodox Church, with its emphasis on the traditional family, is also influencing the debate. So are the traditional rules of Russian family life, including the “domostroi,” a centuries-old manual prescribing strict rules of behavior and requiring absolute submission to the head of the family.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to say whether domestic violence should be decriminalized, but told journalists that “creating solid families is a priority. It’s what everyone needs.”

Women’s rights groups have vocally opposed the bill, saying that decriminalizing assaults will only encourage more violence in a country where the rate of assaults in homes are relatively high.

Human Rights Watch has urged parliament to reject the law, calling it “dangerous and incompatible with Russia’s international human rights obligations.”

“Passage of this law would be a huge step backward for Russia, where victims of domestic violence already face enormous obstacles to getting help or justice,” said Human Rights Watch Russia researcher, Yulia Gorbunova.

Activist Alena Popova has launched a petition on Change.org demanding that the Duma pass a completely new law against domestic violence. More than 224,000 people have signed it.

When asked whether Russia needed a separate domestic violence law, Peskov told reporters Wednesday that the current bill was also aimed at preventing violence.

“If you take a look at the bill, responsibility (must be taken) in the case of a repeat offense. So over-exaggerating the responsibility for displays of family relationships would not be appropriate,” he said.

“Undoubtedly, there should be responsibility, there should be regulatory legislation which could prevent domestic violence, but comparing domestic violence to separate cases of minor importance from a legal point of view, is hardly appropriate.”

Official data on domestic violence in Russia is not centrally collected so it’s difficult to verify. But state-run news agency RIA Novosti has reported that 40% of serious crimes in Russia are committed in the family, 36,000 women are beaten by their husbands daily, and 12,000 women die yearly as a result of domestic violence — one woman every 44 minutes. </s> Story highlights Bill decriminalizes first offenses that don't cause serious physical harm

Kremlin says 'creating solid families is a priority'

Moscow (CNN) A bill that would decriminalize some forms of domestic violence in Russia passed a key stage in the Duma on Wednesday.

The bill, dubbed the "slapping law," decriminalizes a first offense of domestic violence that does not seriously injure the person, making it a less serious administrative offense. The bill also includes violence against children.

More than 85% of legislators in Russia's Duma approved the bill -- seen as part of President Vladimir Putin's drive to appease conservative pushing "traditional family values" -- on Wednesday in its second reading. It will need a third reading and vote before going to the upper house and then to the president to sign into law.

The bill's sponsors, including conservative senator Yelena Mizulina, say the proposed law would simply bring family law into line with reforms passed last summer that loosened punishment for other minor assaults.

Mizulina, a staunch proponent of traditional values, was also the author of Russia's controversial "gay propaganda law," which prohibits "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships."

Read More </s> MOSCOW – A bill that would decriminalize some forms of domestic violence in Russia passed a key stage in the Duma on Wednesday.

The bill, dubbed the “slapping law”, decriminalizes a first offence of domestic violence that does not seriously injure the person, making it a less serious administrative offence. The bill also includes violence against children.

More than 85 per cent of legislators in Russia’s Duma approved the bill –– seen as part of President Vladimir Putin’s drive to appease conservative pushing “traditional family values” –– on Wednesday in its second reading. It will need a third reading and vote before going to the upper house and then to the president to sign into law.

The bill’s sponsors, including conservative senator Yelena Mizulina, say the proposed law would simply bring family law into line with reforms passed last summer that loosened punishment for other minor assaults.

Mizulina, a staunch proponent of traditional values, was also the author of Russia’s controversial “gay propaganda law”, which prohibits “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships”.

The Russian Orthodox Church, with its emphasis on the traditional family, is also influencing the debate. So are the traditional rules of Russian family life, including the “domostroi”, a centuries-old manual prescribing strict rules of behavior and requiring absolute submission to the head of the family.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to say whether domestic violence should be decriminalized, but told journalists that “creating solid families is a priority. It’s what everyone needs”.

Women’s rights groups have vocally opposed the bill, saying that decriminalizing assaults will only encourage more violence in a country where the rate of assaults in homes are relatively high.

Human Rights Watch has urged parliament to reject the law, calling it “dangerous and incompatible with Russia’s international human rights obligations”.

“Passage of this law would be a huge step backward for Russia, where victims of domestic violence already face enormous obstacles to getting help or justice,” said Human Rights Watch Russia researcher, Yulia Gorbunova.

Official data on domestic violence in Russia is not centrally collected so it’s difficult to verify. But state-run news agency RIA Novosti has reported that 40 per cent of serious crimes in Russia are committed in the family, 36,000 women are beaten by their husbands daily, and 12,000 women die yearly as a result of domestic violence –– one woman every 44 minutes. </s> Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that decriminalizes some forms of domestic violence.

The law will categorize as administrative offenses -- instead of criminal acts -- cases of domestic violence that result in pain but not bodily harm.

Dubbed the "slapping law," the bill would affect parents who strike their children and people who strike their spouses or partners.

In the event of any danger to the victim’s health or in the case of repeat offenses, the perpetrator would face criminal charges.

Domestic Violence: What Laws Say In Ex-Soviet Countries



Under the new law, first-time administrative offenses would be punishable by a fine of up to 30,000 rubles ($500), detention for up to 15 days, or 120 hours of community service.

Supporters say the change is intended to prevent unwarranted interference by the state in domestic matters.

Women's and children's organizations as well as NGOs had criticized the proposed change in the law.

Russia's upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council, passed the bill on February 1, a few days after it was approved by the lower-chamber of parliament. </s> MOSCOW -- Legislation that would decriminalize some forms of domestic violence has advanced easily in the Russian parliament despite vehement criticism from human rights and family protection groups.

 

 The bill sailed through the second of three votes in the State Duma, Russia’s lower parliament house, with nearly unanimous support on January 25. The vote was 385-2, with one abstention.

 

 Backers say the bill will prevent the state from meddling in the affairs of families, which President Vladimir Putin has placed at the heart of a pivot toward what he casts as traditional Russian values.

 

 The legislation would reduce battery against a close relative from a criminal offense to an administrative misdemeanor.

 

 Amnesty International has called it a "sickening attempt to trivialize domestic violence."

 

 Opponents have urged lawmakers to reject the legislation and this week sought to hold a rally of protest in central Moscow but were denied permission by the city authorities.

 

 The bill will go to Putin for signature if it passes one more vote in the Duma and one in the upper house. </s> Vladimir Putin has signed a law that decriminalises some forms of domestic violence.

In January, the lower-chamber of the Russian parliament gave its overwhelming backing to the law that would ease some penalties for domestic violence, alarming women’s rights campaigners who fear it will encourage abuse. Russia’s upper chamber of parliament, the Federation Council, passed the bill on 01 February.

Dubbed the “slapping law,” the bill would allow parents to strike their children and husbands to strike their wives or partners.

The law will categorise as administrative offences — instead of criminal acts — cases of domestic violence that result in pain but not bodily harm.

The law, which the State Duma or lower house of parliament, passed in its second of three readings by 385 votes to two, would reduce battery of a relative to a civil offence instead of a criminal offence in first instances, when the victim suffered no serious harm.

Those who support the proposed change, including members of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party, say they want to protect parents’ right to discipline their children and to reduce the state’s ability to meddle in family life.

“This is a historic vote because in certain countries the state’s role in family life is way too much,” said then Andrei Isayev, a deputy representing United Russia. “Today’s vote will end such practices in the Russian Federation.”

Supporters of the amendment say anyone who inflicts serious physical harm will still be criminally liable. But women’s rights campaigners say it is a retrograde step. Women’s and children’s organisations as well as NGOs have vehemently criticised the proposed change in the law.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was important to distinguish between “family relations” and repeated instances of violence.

Each year, about 14,000 women die in Russia at the hands of husbands or other relatives, according to a 2010 United Nations report. </s> Domestic abuse once carried a two-year jail penalty. — AFP picMOSCOW, Jan 25 — Russian MPs today backed a controversial bill reducing the punishment for some forms of domestic violence in a crucial second reading, despite protests from rights activists.

The amendments reduce the penalty for violence against family members—including spouses and children—as long as it is a first offence and does not cause serious injury, making it punishable by a fine of up to 30,000 rubles (RM2,246).

Currently violence against a family member that does not cause serious physical injury is defined as battery, punishable by up to two years in jail.

Amnesty International last week appealed to Russia’s parliament not to pass the bill, condemning it as a “sickening attempt to trivialize domestic violence.”

Moscow city authorities this week refused permission for a rally organised by opponents of the bill with the slogan “Stop violence in the family, monsters should go to jail”.

After Wednesday’s passing, the bill now only needs to get through a third technical reading expected Friday before it goes before the upper house and then to President Vladimir Putin for a final signature.

The bill’s authors say the new measure removes a legal anomaly and will reduce domestic violence by giving first-time abusers a chance to reform.

Conservative backers of the bill have nicknamed this the “law on slaps,” complaining domestic violence is overly harshly punished.

“If you slap your naughty child, you risk up to two years in jail. If your neighbour does the same, it would end with a fine,” one of the bill’s authors, Senator Yelena Mizulina, wrote on her site on Wednesday.

She complained the current law allows a criminal case to be opened on evidence from “a child in a huff against their parents.”

But lawyer Maxim Krupsky told RBK news site that “decriminalisation could untie the hands of people who potentially could commit domestic violence.”

Parliament on Wednesday threw out Communist Party proposals to exclude attacks on pregnant women and children from decriminalisation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave the bill apparent backing, telling journalists that “blowing out of proportion and calling for (criminal) responsibility for various manifestations of family relations would hardly be effective.”

In Russia’s still deeply patriarchal society, there is little public discussion of domestic violence and a popular saying goes: “If he beats you, it means he loves you.”

A poll by state agency VTsIOM in January found 19 percent of Russians thought violence against partners or children could be acceptable in some circumstances.

According to the state statistics agency, in 2015 there were 49,579 crimes involving violence in the family, of those 35,899 involving violence against a woman. — AFP </s> Russian members of parliament moved on Wednesday to decriminalise some forms of domestic violence for first-time offenders who do not cause serious physical harm to their victims.

Members of the state Duma passed the controversial amendment to the Russian criminal code in its second reading, which essentially assures it will go to president Vladimir Putin for his signature.

The amendment treats a first conviction for domestic assault as an administrative offence, carrying a penalty of a 30,000 ruble (€470) fine or 15 days in jail. If Mr Putin signs the measure into law, only injuries such as concussions or broken bones, or repeated offences committed in a family setting, would lead to criminal charges.

Defenders of the measure say it will protect parents’ rights to discipline their children and generally reduce the state’s role in domestic life.

“In the traditional Russian family culture, relations between ‘fathers and sons’ are built upon the authority of parents’ power, mutual love and personal indispensability as the basis for children’s upbringing,” said Yelena Mizulina, one of the initiators of the new legislation and author of a law that banned “gay propaganda” aimed at minors.

Opponents called it a step back to medieval times and a licence for violent behaviour by domestic tyrants.

“It is clear that lawmakers recognised violence as a norm of family life,” said Svetlana Aivazova, a Russian specialist in gender studies. “This shows that Duma deputies are not simply conservative or traditional: it shows that they are archaic.”

Ms Aivazova and other experts say Russia has a serious problem with domestic violence. Citing data provided by the interior ministry, she told Mr Putin in 2015 that “40 per cent of all grave violent crimes are committed in families”.

In 2013, she said, more than 9,000 women died in criminal assaults and more than 11,000 were badly injured. In 2014, she said, “more than 25 per cent of all murders were committed in families”.

Ms Aivazova asked the president to support a special law on the prevention of domestic violence that had already been passed in 143 countries, including Russia’s post-Soviet neighbours Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Mr Putin thanked her, but the law remained in the Duma, and Ms Aivazova said she was not optimistic about its prospects.

In the past, Mr Putin has expressed concern about domestic violence, even in the absence of serious injury. “I think we should not slap children and justify it based on some old traditions,” he told journalists at his last news conference in December. “There is a short distance from slaps to beating.”

The new legislation was pushed by conservative members of the Russian parliament and the Russian Orthodox Church. They were incensed last summer when lawmakers criminalised domestic violence, acting upon a recommendation by the supreme court.

The church, which has steadily increased its influence on social policy in recent years, said in a statement last year that physical punishment was a Russian tradition and thus should be protected as “an essential right given to parents by God”.

“There is absolutely no doubt that children should be defended against true criminal activities,” the church said. “But you cannot equate such criminal assaults with rational and moderate use of physical punishment by loving parents.”

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the state Duma, said the new legislation was a sign of the state’s determination to “make conditions for strong families to emerge”. </s> Controversial plans to partially decriminalize domestic violence in Russia took a step towards becoming law on Wednesday after Russian MPs approved a second reading of the legislation.

The State Duma voted overwhelmingly in favour of a legal amendment that would end criminal liability for battery of family members that does not cause bodily harm and is not a repeat offence.

The bill would instead make domestic battery equivalent to minor assault, which is an administrative offence punishable by a 30,000 ruble (£412) fine, 15 days in jail, or 120 hours of community service.

Ultra conservative MPs and activists pushing the bill say the current law criminalizes parents spanking their children but allow strangers to do so with impunity.

Women’s right campaigners have bitterly opposed the amendment, saying it would lift one of very few protections against domestic violence.

Activists picketed the Duma on Wednesday morning to oppose the bill. An online petition against it has attracted more than 200,000 signatures.
The Russian Duma backs a law decriminalizing a first instance of domestic violence that does "not seriously injure" the person, making it an administrative offense. The bill also includes violence against children.