During its 57^th session held in September - October 2024, the Human Rights Council adopted the final working group reports for the Universal Periodic Review 46^th session. The reports included states’ formal responses to all recommendations extended during the reviews. States can either accept or ‘note’ UPR recommendations.

Afghanistan, Chile, Slovakia, the Dominican Republic and Vietnam accepted recommendations to prohibit corporal punishment of children all settings of their lives.

Note: The Dominican Republic previously expressed its commitment to prohibiting corporal punishment in all settings by clearly accepting a recommendation to do so during the Universal Periodic Review in 2009. We understand that the Criminal Code which would prohibit all forms of corporal punishment is still under review.

Comoros and Eritrea noted (rejected) all recommendations to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings.

Note: In Eritrea, corporal punishment of children is currently lawful in the home, alternative care settings, day care, schools and possibly in penal institutions. Similarly, in Comoros, prohibition is still to be achieved in the home, alternative care settings, day care, penal institutions and possibly as a sentence for crime.

Although corporal punishment is not fully prohibited in Vanuatu and Yemen, no recommendations on ending corporal punishment of children were made. Nevertheless, the Governments of both states supported other recommendations to introduce legislations to strengthen the protection of children.

Examples of some of the accepted recommendations:

To the Dominican Republic:

“Continue to advance with the analysis of the draft law that would increase the importance accorded to child-raising practices, ensure good treatment and promote appropriate care that eschews physical punishment and humiliating treatment of children and adolescents” (El Salvador)

To Vietnam:

“Prohibit explicitly in law corporal punishment in all settings” (Montenegro)

“Prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, including at home and in public institutions” (Liechtenstein)

Find out more:

• Visit our page on the Universal Periodic Review for more information on the review process

See also the individual country reports of states reviewed in the 46^th session: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Chile, Comoros, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, New Zealand, Republic of North Macedonia, Slovakia, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Yemen.