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15/06/2006
New law to protect children announced
The government has today announced new legislation to align the law in Northern Ireland with the European Convention on Human Rights, following decisions by the European Court of Human Rights.
The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order will amend the law relating to the physical punishment of children in the home and also remove the legal restrictions on in-laws marrying.
The new Order was laid before Parliament on June 12 and, if passed, will come into operation in September.
When the new laws are in place, the defence of reasonable chastisement will only be available on the lowest charge of common assault and will not be available for offences such as wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm or cruelty to a child.
Similar restrictions on the defence of reasonable chastisement are in operation in England and Wales, following the implementation, in January 2005, of section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
Welcoming the Order, Minister of State, David Hanson said: “This Order is a vital step forward in child protection and will ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. I am confident that the new law on physical punishment will offer added protection to children, in keeping with similar arrangements in England and Wales.”
(EF/GB)
The Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order will amend the law relating to the physical punishment of children in the home and also remove the legal restrictions on in-laws marrying.
The new Order was laid before Parliament on June 12 and, if passed, will come into operation in September.
When the new laws are in place, the defence of reasonable chastisement will only be available on the lowest charge of common assault and will not be available for offences such as wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm or cruelty to a child.
Similar restrictions on the defence of reasonable chastisement are in operation in England and Wales, following the implementation, in January 2005, of section 58 of the Children Act 2004.
Welcoming the Order, Minister of State, David Hanson said: “This Order is a vital step forward in child protection and will ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. I am confident that the new law on physical punishment will offer added protection to children, in keeping with similar arrangements in England and Wales.”
(EF/GB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy and patchy light rain will slowly clear away this evening. Then the rest of the night will be dry with broken cloud. Westerly winds freshening in the early hours. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
