MPs have passed in second reading the bill aimed overhauling the system for protecting children from all forms of violence. The bill, which aims to toughen penalties for crimes against children and better protect the rights of victims, would amend the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Administrative Liability Code and a number of other laws.
Among other measures, it would set penalties of up to 25 years in prison or life imprisonment for rape and forced sexual acts against children under 14.
It would also restrict the use of suspended sentences and parole for deliberate crimes that result in a child's death, and would remove the statutes of limitations on prosecution and on serving sentences for certain sexual crimes against children.
The bill also proposes treating two offenses as aggravating circumstances: intentionally causing serious or moderately serious bodily harm to minors, and lewd acts committed by a group of people against a person under 16. Penalties would also be raised for involving a minor in antisocial behavior, failing to fulfill child-rearing duties and certain other offenses.
The bill pays particular attention to children's procedural rights. Interrogations of minor victims of violence would have to be video-recorded, and confrontations between them and a suspect, accused person or defendant would follow a special procedure. A representative of the guardianship and trusteeship authority would also have to take part. Children who have suffered or witnessed violence would receive state-funded legal aid.
The bill would also establish liability for failing to comply with, or obstructing the implementation of, decisions by commissions on children's affairs, and for failing to protect children from information harmful to their health. Violence against a child by an education worker during the educational process would become grounds for the employer to terminate that person's employment contract.
During preparation for the second reading, the provisions being added to the Criminal Procedure Code were refined. The procedures for providing state-funded legal aid to minors who have suffered sexual violence were clarified, video recording of interrogations of minor witnesses was made mandatory, and the rules on the guardianship authority's role were improved. Provisions on offenses related to protecting children from prohibited information and on non-compliance with the commissions' decisions were also clarified. Amendments to the Education Law were adjusted to account for situations that may arise in practice.
The bill was drafted on the initiative of MPs from the Adolat Social Democratic Party faction and submitted to the Legislative Chamber on Sept. 27. The chamber passed it in first reading yesterday, Sept. 29.
