Domestic Violence

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2017

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Questions (144)

Catherine Martin

Question:

144. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent passage through the Duma, the Parliament of the Russian Federation, and adoption by the Russian President, Mr. Putin, of a law decriminalising the first instance of domestic violence against a spouse or partner; his plans to call on the Russian Government to repeal this law which is in breach of its own treaty commitments to protect the rights of women and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8603/17]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

On 7 February 2016, the Russian Duma passed a law decriminalising certain forms of domestic violence in the Russian Federation. This law unfortunately represents a clear step backwards in efforts to combat violence against women and children, and fails to recognise the very serious and specific nature of violence against women.

Ireland expressed its serious concerns with this legislation in the form of a direct intervention at a meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Strasbourg on 1 February, and through an EU Statement at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 16 February, both of which were attended by representatives of the Russian government. The EU Statement pointed out that the Russian legislation goes against the commitments of OSCE Participating States, and reiterated the EU’s own efforts to promote the eradication of domestic violence and to support its victims, both inside and outside Europe.