The National Participation Council (CNP) considers that the criminal punishment suggested for child abandonment should be rejected. The given bill is to be discussed by the Cabinet in its August 29 meeting. The members of the CNP believe that such penalties can be imposed only when the state has a developed system for facilitating the social situation of families and for protecting the children.

In a news conference at IPN, CNP deputy head Antonita Fonari said that poverty and other social causes are the main reasons for child abandonment. As the state policies for supporting families in such situations are inefficient, the aggressive imposition of criminal punishment will aggravate the situation.

Speaking about the bill on the safety of newborns in case of abandonment, Antonita Fonari said it is not enough to draft laws stipulating abandonment methods in conditions of safety for the child. It is very important to train the mothers in sexual education, contraception methods, etc. The women who want to abandon a child are often pressed into taking the child home, without being told how they can avoid an unwanted pregnancy.