Human Rights Committee, session 79 (2003)

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE'S CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS TO STATES EXAMINED IN SESSION 79 (20 OCTOBER - 7 NOVEMBER 2003)

Equatorial Guinea

(30 July 2004, CCPR/CO/79/GNQ, Concluding observations in the absence of a report, para. 10)

"The Committee notes with concern the lack of protection for children, whether indigenous or from neighbouring countries, in the areas of health, work and education, as borne out in the latter field by the low levels of education, the repeater and dropout rates and the low tax expenditure per pupil. It is also concerned by the corporal punishment inflicted on children, allegedly as a remedial measure, and by the prostitution of young girls.

The State party should, in conformity with articles 24 and 7 of the Covenant, put into practice child protection programmes in the above-mentioned areas."

Sri Lanka

(1 December 2003, CCPR/CO/79/LKA, Concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth reports, para. 11)

"While noting that corporal punishment has not been imposed as a sanction by the courts for about 20 years, the Committee expresses concern that it is still statutorily permitted, and that it is still used as a prison disciplinary punishment. Moreover, despite directives issued by the Ministry of Education in 2001, corporal punishment still takes place in schools (art.7).

The State party is urged to abolish all forms of corporal punishment as a matter of law and effectively to enforce these measures in primary and secondary schools, and in prisons."