You're reading: Rada toughens penalties for exploitation of children

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has toughened penalties for the exploitation of children.

Some 249 out of 397 MPs registered in the parliament’s session hall supported the law on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine (regarding crimes against the life, health, freedom, honor and dignity of a person.

According to amendments to the law, the exploitation of children, who have not achieved legal working age, is punished by arrest for up to six months or restriction of freedom for up to three years, with deprivation of the right to hold a certain position or be occupied with a certain activity for up to three years.

Similar actions committed by an organized group are punished by imprisonment for a period from five to 10 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or be occupied in a certain activity for up to three years.

The law also establishes that the exploration of children by parents or persons acting as parents for the purpose of begging (systemic begging of money, clothes, and money from strangers) entails restriction of freedom for up to three years or arrest for the same term.

The law comes into effect from the moment of its publication.