Russia’s Duma said ready to legalize domestic violence
The Russian State Duma has passed the first reading of an amendment which would allow parents to inflict mild physical punishment on a child. Some lawmakers worry that if the bill passes it will tend to legalize domestic violence. Member Yuri Sinelshchikov explains: "If the bill passes, a drunk father who assaults a child will not be prosecuted.”
Russia’s Duma should act in accordance with the ideal of One World under One Set of Laws," the principle which holds that international law is superior to domestic law. The UN Convention on the Rights of Children and other international public laws designed to protect children from all forms of violence must be taken into account in lawmaking. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.