Translated material
The Russian Orthodox Church called the ban on beating children in the family a violation of the Holy Scriptures
The Patriarchal Commission on Family Affairs, Protection of Motherhood and Childhood stated that the amendment on criminal punishment for beatings against relatives is contrary to the teachings of the Orthodox Church. The ROC said in a statement that scripture and sacred tradition "consider the reasonable and loving use of physical punishment as an integral part of the God-given rights of parents."
According to the Russian Orthodox Church, the amendment “has no moral justification and legal grounds, its content is directed against the family and the understanding of the rights of parents accepted in Russian culture, it is discriminatory, it contradicts the basic principles of a sound state family policy and does not take into account the traditional family and moral values of Russian society.”
The ROC noted that she meant only such physical punishments that do not harm the health of children.
There is no doubt that children must be protected from truly criminal acts, by whomsoever committed, especially when it comes to criminal violence. However, there are no real grounds to equate the reasonable and moderate use of physical punishment by loving parents in the upbringing of a child with such criminal encroachments.
- At the end of June, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a bill according to which for beatings that did not cause harm to health and committed for the first time, they will only be held administratively liable. At the same time, criminal punishment remains for beatings inflicted on relatives, as well as for beatings motivated by hatred and hooligan motives. On July 4, the amendments were signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Elena Mizulina, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation, called the amendments "anti-family" and contrary to the Constitution. “All this legalizes juvenile justice, that is, unreasonable intrusion into family affairs,” Mizulina believes.