Europe 's top human rights watchdog is to rebuke France for its failure to explicitly ban smacking children it was claimed last night . French law forbids violence against children , but recognises the parents ' 'right to discipline ' children . The Council of Europe is expected to say that the laws on corporal punishment are 'not sufficiently clear , binding and specific ' , according to Le Monde newspaper . The Council of 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 . The council did not comment last night . It is to issue its formal ruling on Wednesday . The council has called for all of its 47 members to ban corporal punishment of children . So far , 22 have banned the practice . 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 . The laws in France have occasionally caused controversy . In 2013 , a father was fined €500 ( $ 560 ; £364 ) for spanking his nine-year-old son , a case that reignited the debate about corporal punishment in France . The Council of Europe is due to announce its decisions on other countries included in the Approach complaint in May .
the European Social Charter expected to say French laws are 'not sufficiently clear ' Law forbids violence against children parents have 'right to discipline '