CoE encourages Moldovans to take stance as to beating children

The Information Bureau of the Council of Europe (CoE) to Moldova encourages the population to take stance as to the corporeal punishments administered to children. Till December 12, anyone can sign post cards in an drive called “Raise your hand against beating”. They will be sent to the CoE later, Info-Prim Neo reports. “CoE is the main watchdog of human rights in Europe, including of the children's rights. This campaign is meant to abolish the corporeal punishment and we want to make the people aware of the children's rights,” said at the launch of the campaign Lilia Snegureac, the director of the CoE office. “If abused, a child cannot retort. It's necessary to change the citizens' mentality as to educating the children by beating,” said an official of Posta Moldovei, Nicolae Taracila. The drive “Raise your hand against beating” is part of an CoE program titled “Building a Europe for and with children.” According to statistics, 3,500 European children die annually because of violent behavior.