Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> JURIST - The Paper Chase

Legal News

: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Venezuela lawmakers preliminarily approve bill banning violent toys, video games

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Venezuelan National Assembly unanimously gave preliminary approval on Tuesday to a bill to ban violent toys and video games. According to the Patria Para Todos (PPT), the party sponsoring the bill, the proposed law would help reduce violence in the country by protecting the development of children who can become predisposed to aggression by playing with such toys. If the bill becomes law, the Institute for the Defense of People's Access to Goods and Services (INDEPABIS) would penalize the making, importing, distribution, rental, and sale of such toys. The state would have the responsibility of promoting production, distribution, sale, and use of toys that "exercise and stimulate in children respect for life ... and understanding among humans." The National Assembly must vote on the bill a second time before it becomes law. Voting on the bill coincides with a study released this week by the Civil Council for Public Safety and Penal Justice (CCSP), a Mexican think tank, which reported that Caracas is the second most violent city worldwide. The report received much coverage in Venezuelan media. Spokesperson for Civil Watch Association for Security, Defense, and Armed Forces Rocio San Miguel characterized the law as sterile in light of recent statements by national leaders inciting civilians to be prepared for armed conflict. Earlier this month, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called for South Americans to be prepared in case of war after Colombia agreed to allow the US to use seven of its military bases.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on August 27, 2009 (boomark / email).