Rights of the child and obligations of parents: general provisions
One of the tasks of the successful development of any state is the upbringing of the younger generation and the protection of childhood. Every child has the right to life, development, education, spiritual upbringing and prosperous living conditions.
In this regard, the legislation of Belarus and the norms of international law establish the obligations of parents for the upbringing and maintenance of children. Parents are also responsible for children under the age of 18 and disabled adults.
Responsibility of parents for the care and upbringing of children
Parents are obliged to perform the function of raising children so that they are worthy citizens of the state. The duties of upbringing include caring for the health, physical, spiritual and moral development of minor children.
Thus, each parent is obliged to care for and take care of children, to comply with all medical prescriptions in a timely manner, and also to contribute to the child’s education.
Children should be able to eat well and live in favorable conditions. Providing food and living conditions for a minor is the responsibility of parents.
If improper child care is detected (regular lack of food, clothing for the season, hygiene products), as well as parents’ failure to comply with medical recommendations or preventing parents from educating a child, guardianship and guardianship authorities may recognize the family as being in a socially dangerous situation.
Responsibilities of parents for the maintenance of children
In addition to the educational functions and care for the health of children, parents are obliged to financially provide for their children. This obligation means buying for children products and things necessary for life, providing living conditions suitable for life, financing circles and sections necessary for the development of children.
If a parent does not fulfill the obligation to financially support the life and education of children, then measures of influence can be taken against him, up to criminal liability.
Administrative responsibility of parents
Parents are required to accompany a child under the age of 16 outside the home at night (from 23.00 to 6.00). Otherwise, the administrative responsibility of the parents comes.
Parents also bear administrative responsibility for the commission of administrative offenses by a child under the age of 14. Criminal and administrative responsibility of minors begins at the age of 14.
Parents bear administrative responsibility for evading the payment of alimony. If a parent allows non-payment of alimony and evades employment by a court order, then he can be fined in accordance with Art. 10.20 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on administrative offenses.
Parental liability
Parents are criminally liable for non-payment of alimony after being brought to administrative responsibility if they continue to evade reimbursement of funds for the maintenance of children.
Without prior administrative liability, parents can be held criminally liable if they evade paying child support for more than three months during the year.
Parents should not engage their minor children in antisocial behavior, in particular in:
– drinking alcoholic beverages;
– use of drugs or toxic substances;
– non-medical use of psychotropic substances;
– begging;
– vagrancy.
Parents are responsible for these actions. The sanction of Article 173 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for punishment in the form of a fine or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
Parents and other persons are prohibited from involving a child in the commission of a crime. This is usually done through violence, deceit or threats. Such acts are liable under Art. 172 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus.
