07Jul, 2015

Human Rights Committee recommends prohibition of all corporal punishment in the UK and in all its territories and dependencies

At its 114th session in June/July, the Human Rights Committee examined states on their implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Policital Rights – including on the obligation to prohibit all corporal punishment of children. The Committee made the following observation and recommendation in its concluding observations on the review of the UK: “The Committee […]

06Mar, 2015

Two more states achieve prohibition

Benin and Andorra have joined the list of states prohibiting all corporal punishment, bringing the global total to 46 (seven in Africa, 28 in Europe). Benin’s new Children’s Code 2015, passed by the National Assembly on 26 January, states in article 39 that discipline by parents and others must respect the child’s human dignity. Article […]

11Nov, 2014

San Marino achieves prohibition

San Marino has become the latest state to achieve prohibition of all corporal punishment of children in 2014. In September, criminal and family laws were amended to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, including the home. The Law of 26 April 1986 No. 49 on Family Law Reform now states in article 57: “Children have […]

05Nov, 2014

Children protected from all corporal punishment in Estonia

Another European state has joined the list of those where corporal punishment of children is prohibited in all settings, including the home. The Estonian Parliament has enacted the Child Welfare Act 2014, which prohibits corporal punishment in article 24 (unofficial translation): “(1) It is prohibited to neglect a child, to mentally, emotionally, physically or sexually […]