COMMISSION ON GENDER EQUALITY: “VIOLENCE WITHOUT VIOLENCE” DOESN'T EXIST!

The Commission on Gender Equality of the  Russian  Confederation of Labour  opposed amendments to   Article 116 of  the  Criminal Code. All parts of Russian Confederation of Labour representing independent unions of Russia with one voice say “NO!” a bill on decriminalization of beating  and urge to  refuse it. Among the unions sharing this view are:  Seafarers' Union of Russia, Dockers' Union of Russia, Interregional Union Workers' Association, Novoprof, Education and Science Employees' Union, University Solidarity Union, Union of Healthcare  Workers and others. “As (great Russian writer) Leo Tolstoy ever said violence can't be regulated and be  used  to the certain bounds. If allow violence, it always oversteps the bounds we would accept for it. The such example is the bill on battery decriminalization. Yet it allows violence against  relatives and loved ones”, said Irina Ustuymenko, public relation director of the SUR. “The government  intends   to take side of  beating man, rather than protects  weaker person”.

On 11 January, 2017 the State Duma approved in its first reading the bill On Amendments of Article 116 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (regarding   criminal liability for battery). The bill was adopted by great majority of the Duma's deputies. According to the Russian Criminal Code, battery  means actions resulting to physical pain not entailing harm to health. Currently,  the penalty for battery against  relatives is an  imprisonment up to two years. In part of new law, only administrative offense can be applied to person who use violence  against family members. As well known, victim doesn't get this sum and the receiver  of paid penalty  is state  budget.

The full version of the Commission's  statement can be found here.