Preview

Actual Problems of Russian Law

Advanced search

Challenges in Humanization of Criminal Law and Criminal Policy

https://doi.org/10.17803/1994-1471.2026.186.5.131-141

Abstract

The paper addresses the important theme of humanism in criminal law, emphasizing its role as a foundation principle of the modern legal and social state. Humanism is seen not simply as a tool for achieving certain goals, but as a fundamental value that determines the direction of social development. The author emphasizes that humanism includes respect for human rights and recognition of its central role in social life. The study shows that humanism in criminal law does not mean leniency towards crimes or weakness of state power. On the contrary, the implementation of humanistic principles helps to strengthen the rule of law and reduce the risk of unlawful use of force. This is achieved by increasing public trust in law enforcement agencies and strengthening the sense of justice among citizens. The study highlights the importance of integrating humanistic values into criminal law, as this not only strengthens citizens’ trust in the state but also creates conditions for the sustainable and harmonious development of society. The findings confirm that humanism is a necessary condition for building an effective and fair legal order.

About the Author

V. V. Antonchenko
Far Eastern Fire and Rescue Academy, Branch of the St. Petersburg University of the State Fire Service of EMERCOM of Russia
Russian Federation

Vadim V. Antonchenko, Cand. Sci. (Law), Associate Professor, Associate Professor

Vladivostok



References

1. Anashkin G.Z. The humanism of Soviet criminal law // The Soviet State and law. 1963. No. 8. pp. 44-52.

2. Antonchenko V.V. Defects of the criminal law and the search for its optimal model // Bulletin of the Perm University. Legal sciences. ― 2025. ― No. 1 (67). ― C. 100-116. DOI: 10.17072/1995-4190-2025-67-100-116.

3. Antonchenko V.V. Optimal criminal policy // Actual problems of Russian law. ― 2025. ― T. 20. ― No. 1. ― pp. 131-140. DOI: 10.17803/1994-1471.2025.170.1.131-140.

4. Antonchenko V.V. The legal and anti-legal nature of state coercion and violence // Bulletin of the Tyumen State University. Socio-economic and legal studies. ― 2025. ― T. 11. ― № 2(42). ― Pp. 156-176.

5. https://doi.org/10.21684/2411-7897-2025-11-2-156-176.

6. Bosholov S.S. Criminal policy of modern Russia in the context of constitutional and legal reform : dis. ... doct. jurid. Sciences : 12.00.08. ― M., 1999. ― 594 p.

7. Gilinsky Ya.I. Criminal policy of the state and man // Criminal policy and law enforcement practice : collection of articles based on the materials of the VI International Scientific and Practical Conference, St. Petersburg, November 02, 2018. - St. Petersburg, 2019. - pp. 105-111.

8. Gubenkova E.V. The principle of humanism and problems its implementation in the execution of a custodial sentence: based on the materials of the Astrakhan region : abstract of the dissertation of the cand. jurid. Sciences : 12.00.08. ― Volgograd, 2008. ― 25 p.

9. Zubarev S.M. New in criminal and penal enforcement legislation: some aspects of the humanization of punitive policy // Journal of Russian Law. ― 2004. ― No. 4. pp. 26-40.

10. Korshikov I.V. The principle of humanism in the criminal law of the Russian Federation : abstract of the dissertation of the cand. jurid. Sciences : 12.00.08. ― Saratov, 1999. ― 21 p.

11. Maltsev V.V. The principle of humanism in criminal legislation // Russian justice. ― 2002. ― No. 7. pp. 51-53.

12. Nomokonov V.A. "Philosophy of crime" or "Criminal philosophy"? / Criminology: yesterday, today, tomorrow. ― 2014. ― № 4(35). ― Pp. 26-34.

13. Odintsovo L.N. The principle of humanism as an ethical category in the field of ensuring criminal law and penal enforcement protection of human, civil, and convict rights and freedoms // Bulletin of the Kuzbass Institute. No. 2. 2012. pp. 89-96.

14. Pudovochkin Yu.E., Pirvagidov S.S. The concept, principles and sources of criminal law: a comparative legal analysis of the legislation of Russia and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. ― St. Petersburg, 2003. ― pp. 151-152.

15. Sizaya E.A. On the principle of humanism in the criminal and penal enforcement legislation of the Russian Federation // Law and the State: theory and practice. ― 2008. ― № 4 (40). ― Pp.

16. -137.

17. Yuyukina M.V. The principle of humanism in criminal, penal enforcement law and criminal policy and its implementation in sentencing : dissertation of the cand. jurid. Sciences : 12.00.08. ― Tambov, 2006. ― 230 p.


Review

For citations:


Antonchenko V.V. Challenges in Humanization of Criminal Law and Criminal Policy. Actual Problems of Russian Law. 2026;21(5):131-141. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17803/1994-1471.2026.186.5.131-141

Views: 61

JATS XML


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 1994-1471 (Print)
ISSN 2782-1862 (Online)