African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, session 24 (2014)

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN THE AFRICAN COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD'S CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS TO STATES EXAMINED IN THE 24TH SESSION

Ethiopia

([December 2014], Concluding observations on initial report, para. 23)

"The Committee is concerned that there are some forms of corporal punishment not prohibited by the law. This exposes children to abuse as it is difficult to assess and monitor the level of violence that corporal punishment causes. Hence, the Committee encourages the State Party to prohibit corporal punishment within the family, school and other alternative care institutions. The Committee encourages the Government to explicitly outlaw corporal punishment in the Criminal Code. To this end the Government needs to create awareness on positive parenting and disciplining of children."

Guinea

([December 2014], Concluding observations on initial report, para. 23)

"The Committee notes with appreciation that corporal punishment is prohibited by law. The Committee nonetheless has concerns on the effective implementation of the law, as well as on the measures put in place to promote non-violent disciplinary measures. The Committee encourages the State Party to explicitly ban corporal punishment in all settings and to adopt a positive discipline as an alternative. The Committee suggests awareness raising, training and sensitisation of the parents, youth, communities and those working with children as well as the proper monitoring of schools and day-cares to ensure that children are free from any kind of abuse and torture."

Kenya

([December 2014], Concluding observations on initial report, para. 23)

"The Committee notes with appreciation the prohibition of corporal punishment under the Constitution, but recommends that it be implemented. The Committee encourages the State Party to raise awareness and give training on a continuous basis on alternative disciplinary measures."

Mozambique

([December 2014], Concluding observations on initial report, para. 29)

"The Committee appreciates the prohibition of corporal punishment as a sentence and recommends the State Party to explicitly ban corporal punishment in all settings including in school, the home and in alternative care centres. The State Party should ensure the respect of children’s right to be protected from violence. The Committee also calls upon the State Party to encourage positive discipline and to support families through awareness raising and training for those who are working for and with children such as teachers and care givers."

Sudan

([December 2014], Concluding observtions on initial report, para. 23)

"The Committee appreciates the legislative and administrative measures taken towards the protection of children from abuse and torture, including the Constitution, the Child Act, and the National Action Plan 2008-2012 for combating violence against children. The Committee, however, remains concerned about the increasing number of reports of sex abuse, physical aggression and negligence. The State Party Report also indicates that physical punishments are often used to discipline children. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the State Party banns corporal punishment in all settings; undertake measures to effectively punish the authors of violence against children; introduce non-violent disciplining mechanisms in schools and sensitize the society about positive parenting."