Human Rights Committee, session 103 (2011)

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE'S CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS TO STATES EXAMINED IN SESSION 103 (17 OCTOBER - 4 NOVEMBER 2011)

Iran

(29 November 2011, CCPR/C/IRN/CO/3, Concluding observations on third report, para. 16)

"The Committee is concerned about the continued imposition of corporal punishment by judicial and administrative authorities, in particular amputations and flogging for a range of crimes, including theft, enmity against God (mohareb) and certain sexual acts. It is also concerned that corporal punishment of children is lawful in the home, as a sentence of the courts and in alternative care settings (art. 7).

The State party should amend the Penal Code to abolish the imposition of corporal punishment by judicial and administrative authorities. The State party should also explicitly prohibit all forms of corporal punishment in child-rearing and education, including by repealing the legal defences for its use in article 1179 of the Civil Code, articles 49 and 59 of the Penal Code and article 7 of the Law on the Protection of Children."

Jamaica

(17 November 2011, CCPR/C/JAM/CO/3, Concluding observations on third report, para. 20)

"While recognizing that corporal punishment as a penalty for crime has been abolished by judicial decision, the Committee expresses its regret that it remains legal in the State party, which permits its use in the education system and the home, where it traditionally continues to be accepted and practised as a form of discipline by teachers, parents and guardians (arts. 7 and 24).

The State party should take practical steps to put an end to corporal punishment in all settings by passing the bill that seeks to repeal the Flogging Regulations Act and the relevant provisions of the Crime (Prevention of) Act. The State party should promote non-violent forms of discipline as alternatives to corporal punishment, and should conduct public information campaigns to raise awareness about its harmful effects."

Norway

(18 November 2011, CCPR/C/NOR/C, Concluding observations on sixth report, para. 3)

"The Committee welcomes the following legislative and institutional steps taken by the State party:

a) the amendments to the Children Act in 2010 to proscribe light forms of corporal punishment…."