Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, session 51 (2013)

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS' CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS TO STATES EXAMINED IN SESSION 51 (4-29 NOVEMBER 2013)

Belgium

(23 December 2013, E/C.12/BEL/CO/4 Draft, Concluding observations on fourth report, para. 17)

"The Committee is concerned by the persistence of the practice of corporal punishment, including in the family context. It regrets the State party’s decision not to enact specific legislation expressly prohibiting corporal punishment in all places. The Committee is also disturbed by the extent of child abuse and the persistence of the problem of street children (art. 10).

The Committee recommends that the State party review its position and consider enacting specific legislation expressly prohibiting corporal punishment everywhere. It further recommends that the State party take additional measures to combat child abuse, including in terms of protection and assistance. The State party is also encouraged to step up its campaigns to raise public awareness concerning child abuse."