States respond to UPR recommendations to prohibit corporal punishment

The final working group reports of states examined during the 27th Universal Periodic Review were adopted in September 2017 at the Human Rights Council’s 36th session. States were under the obligation to confirm their formal responses to recommendations – either ‘supporting’ (accepting) or ‘noting’ them – before the start of the session. The meaning of ‘noting’ a […]

Montenegro has prohibited all corporal punishment of children

The Global Initiative has recently confirmed that amendments to Montenegro’s Family Law, passed in July 2016, included prohibition of all corporal punishment of children in Montenegro. The amendments, which came into force in August 2016, inserted article 9a which states: (1) Child [sic] shall not be subjected to corporal punishment or any other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. […]

Global newsletter issue 37 (June 2017) is out now!

The Global Initiative’s quarterly global newsletter provides a round-up of news and developments on corporal punishment from around the world. In this latest edition, we report on recent law reform workshops working towards prohibition of all corporal punishment in Myanmar and Viet Nam, and highlight moves towards prohibition and other positive developments from across the […]

Consultation opened on the England and Wales CPS Charging Standard

In England and Wales, corporal punishment is lawful in the home under section 58 of the Children Act 2004, which provides for “reasonable punishment” of children. Although the Children Act 2004 removed the recourse to the “reasonable punishment” defence for any offence more severe than common assault, at the time the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Offences […]

Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends prohibition and elimination of corporal punishment at 75th session

At its 75th session, the Committee on the Rights of the Child examined seven states on their implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and issued recommendations on the prohibition and elimination of corporal punishment of children. To Antigua and Barbuda, the Committee recommended that the state end all forms of corporal punishment in […]

Global Initiative launches new briefing ahead of the Day of the African Child 2017

The Global Initiative is delighted to present a new leaflet, “Prohibiting all corporal punishment of children in Africa: an essential step towards fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, published ahead of the Day of the African Child, 16 June 2017, which will this year be commemorated on the theme “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable […]