The Russian parliament on Wednesday gave its overwhelming backing to a draft law that would ease some penalties for domestic violence, alarming women's rights campaigners who fear it will encourage abuse. The law, which the State Duma, or lower house of parliament, passed in its second of three readings by 385 votes to 2, reduces the battery of a relative to a civil offense instead of a criminal offense for first-time offenders who "inflict physical pain but do not cause serious bodily injury," the state-owned TASS news agency reported. Those who support the proposed change, including members of President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party, say they want to protect parents' right to discipline their children and to reduce the state's ability to meddle in family life. "This is a historic vote because in certain countries the state's role in family life is way too much," said Andrei Isayev, a deputy representing United Russia. "Today's vote will end such practices in the Russian Federation." Olga Batalina, one of the bill's co-authors, rejected suggestions that the bill would protect attackers. "The Criminal Code still carries criminal responsibility for battery, but now it will be applicable only for repeat offenders," he told state television. All those "who terrorize their family members, who do it repeatedly ... will face criminal responsibility." Supporters of the amendment say anyone who inflicts serious physical harm will still be criminally liable, but women's rights campaigners blasted the legislation as a retrograde step. Activists picketed the Duma on Wednesday morning to oppose the bill. More than 200,000 people have already signed an online petition signatures against it. "This law calls for the exoneration of tyrants in the home," Maria Mokhova, executive director of the "Sisters" crisis center for abuse victims, said. "The message is: 'Let's not punish a person who at home beat up his family, just because he has the right to do that.'" Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call it was important to distinguish between "family relations" and repeated instances of violence. To become law, the draft must go through a further reading and win approval from the upper house of parliament. Each year, about 14,000 women die in Russia at the hands of husbands or other relatives, according to a 2010 United Nations report. Yekaterina Schulmann, a political analyst specializing in parliamentary matters, said Russia should consider drafting a new law to specifically target domestic violence. "At the very least, such a law should envisage introducing restraining orders, a measure that is currently absent from Russian law, to protect family members who are at risk of violence," said Schulmann. It could also set up shelters for victims, she added.
