Extracts from the debate on&nbsp;recent partial decriminalisation of domestic violence in Russia during the plenary session in Brussels (01-02/03/2017)

Brussels

WEBER, Renate (ALDE, RO)

debate

plenary session

EU - Russia (T)

GAHLER, Michael (EPP, DE)

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

REINTKE, Terry (Greens/EFA, DE)

VALENCIANO, Elena (S&D, ES)

MACOVEI, Monica (ECR, RO)

domestic violence

Recent partial decriminalisation of domestic violence in Russia: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, The Russian Federation has always lacked comprehensive measures to prevent violence against women and children. Currently, according to statistics from the Russian Interior Ministry, about 40% of grave crimes in Russia are committed within the family. In 2006, the UN Committee on elimination of discrimination against women recommended that Russia adopted specific legislation on domestic violence,stepped up its efforts to protect victims of violence, and promoted gender equality. 2010 and 2013 the Committee under the Convention of the elimination of of all forms of discrimination against women found that Russia failed to implement these recommendations, and urged it to give priority to this issue.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, The recent law, adopted by the parliamnet and signed by President Putin, reduces battery within the family from a criminal to an administrative offense for first time offenders, and it weakens the sanctions. This is a clearly regressive step.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, We now repeat our call on Russia's institutions to reverse this law and to respect international human rights standards, implementing in full the recommendations of the UN committee on the elimination of discrimination against women. The ratification of the Istanbul Convention would also be a very positive step.

SOUNDBITE (German), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Why are we talking here about about this legal change in Russia? Because we have to see that in the Duma also in this case there is no voice no lobby for the weaker people and NGOs as we heard, if they deal with it are put on the list of foreign agents. For that reason, those who are brutalising are the ones getting protection.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Elena VALENCIANO (S&amp;D, ES), If we really want to protect women we have to lead by example in the EU. Unfortunately in my country, Spain, since the start of the year an average of two women a week have been killed. So we might make this plea but let us also act as an example. 

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Monica MACOVEI (ECR, RO), Through this law will kill courage and the free spirit and the children are raised to endure abuse and insults and battery. We cannot be brave in public if we cannot be brave in our family because we will be abused. This is what Russia brings us, human rights like in the Middle ages.

SOUNDBITE (English), Renate WEBER (ALDE, RO), An archaic justification for domestic violence in Russia says that 'if he beats you it means he loves you'. Recently the Russian Orthodox Church stated that, if reasonable and carried out with love, corporal punishment is an essential right given to parents by god. Unless paired with proof of broken bones, shattered jaws or damaged organs the voices of the victims of domestic violence are being silenced, by this horrible law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), This law is not simply a legal change. It is a message. It is a message to all victims of domestic violence, to all Russian women and to all women over the world. We do not care about your concerns, we do not care about you. That is why the European answer to this message should be, we do care. We care about any form of gender-based violence. And not only will we adopt the best legislation against domestic violence, starting with the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, by the EU as well as all Member States, but we will also provide support and funding for women's charters, support for victims and women's empowerment.