article_snippet: Europe's top human rights watchdog is to rebuke France for France failure to explicitly ban smacking children France was claimed last night.
article_snippet: French law forbids violence against children, but recognises the parents' 'right to discipline' children.
article_snippet: Council of Europe Europe is expected to say that the laws on corporal punishment are 'not sufficiently clear, binding and specific', according to Le Monde newspaper.
article_snippet: Council of Europe Europe is expected to say that the French laws, which forbids violence against children, but recognises the parents' 'right to discipline' children are 'not sufficiently clear' It follows a complaint by British children's charity Approach, which argues that France and other council members are violating a section of the European Social Charter calling on signatories to protect children.
article_snippet: Council of Europe has called for all of Council of Europe 47 members to ban corporal punishment of children.
article_snippet: So far, 22 have banned the practice.
article_snippet: It follows a complaint by British children's charity Approach, which argues that France and other council members are violating a section of the European Social Charter calling on signatories to protect children .
article_snippet: The laws in France have occasionally caused controversy.
article_snippet: In 2013, a father was fined €500 ($560; £364) for spanking a father nine-year-old son, a case that reignited the debate about corporal punishment in France.
highlights_snippet: Council of Europe expected to say French laws are 'not sufficiently clear'
  Law forbids violence against children parents have 'right to discipline' 