26/01/2017 Equality and Non-Discrimination
“I am deeply concerned at the adoption yesterday by the lower house of the Russian Parliament of a bill decriminalising violence against family members for cases when it is a first offence and does not cause serious physical injury,” said Elena Centemero (Italy, EPP/CD), Chairperson of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), following a debate with committee members.
“Decriminalisation of domestic violence is in contradiction with the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), which we tirelessly promote in Council of Europe member States and beyond. It sends a wrong message to perpetrators, trivialising domestic violence and its long-term consequences on the victims,” she added.
“I urge the members of the lower house of the Russian Parliament to reject the text in their third and last reading on Friday. We cannot allow this backlash with regard to the protection of victims of domestic violence in the Russian Federation. They should receive assistance, protection and live in safety,” Ms Centemero concluded.