All states that were reviewed in the 14^th session of the Universal Periodic Review, held in October/November 2012, have now responded formally to recommendations made to prohibit corporal punishment of children. The majority accepted the recommendations (click on the state to access the Global Initiative’s detailed country report):

• Argentina accepted the recommendation to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, though also asserted that current legislation already prohibits all forms of violence.
• Benin accepted recommendations to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, including the home, in the context of adopting the new Children’s Code.
• Peru accepted recommendations to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, enacting the draft amendments to the Code on Children and Adolescents as a matter of priority.
• Recommendations to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings – including the home – were accepted by Ghana, Guatemala, Japan, Republic of Korea and Zambia.
• In addition, Gabon accepted recommendations to raise awareness about, and to fight against, corporal punishment; the recommendations in this case did not refer to prohibition.

 

But not all responses were positive:

• The Czech Republic accepted a recommendation to take measures against the use of corporal punishment, but rejected recommendations to prohibit it in all settings. The Government stated that current legislation protects children from “inappropriate” corporal punishment in the family, indicating that it considers some corporal punishment acceptable.
• Switzerland accepted a recommendation to raise awareness of the negative effects of corporal punishment but rejected the recommendation to prohibit it in the home, asserting that existing criminal law adequately protects children from assault and bodily harm.

No recommendations on corporal punishment were made to Pakistan, but the Government accepted recommendations to ensure its legislation complies with international human rights instruments, including on the rights of the child. Similarly, no corporal punishment recommendations were made to Sri Lanka, but the Government accepted a recommendation to formulate a comprehensive strategy for protection of children’s rights, ensuring compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.