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In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have collected some helpful resources ([link removed]) to protect and support children through the outbreak. The Global Initiative remains fully operational, as our team continues to work from home.
New prohibitions!

Japan ([link removed]) has become the 59th state worldwide, and fourth in Asia Pacific, to fully prohibit all corporal punishment of children. The new law will come into force on 1 April 2020.
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In addition, Wales ([link removed]) became the 2nd UK nation to prohibit corporal punishment in all settings, the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands ([link removed]) has prohibited corporal punishment in schools, early childhood care and education centres, and Grenada ([link removed]) has prohibited corporal punishment in child-care services and as a sentence for crimes committed as a child.
Global Report 2019

In February, we launched our annual Global Report 2019 ([link removed]) which includes key achievements, global progress and all the latest figures from last year, as well as an overview of what’s coming up in 2020 and ways you can support the global movement.
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BOND Award

We are delighted to receive the Bond Collaboration Awar ([link removed]) d (http://) which recognises effective relationships across sectors to tackle difficult issues.
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Nigeria Workshop

The Global Initiative held a two-day consultative seminar in Abuja, Nigeria to establish challenges and barriers to ending corporal punishment of children in Nigeria. Read more. ([link removed])
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Our website in five languages!

We are pleased to launch new sub-sites in Russian ([link removed]) and Chinese ([link removed]) to support partners across regions, in addition to sites already available in French ([link removed]) , Spanish ([link removed]) and Portuguese ([link removed]) !
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New resources from the Global Initiative
As we take stock on progress for women and girls this month, we launched a new page dedicated to girls and gender ([link removed]) and published a blog to celebrate International Women's Day ([link removed]) .

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Another new web page launched this month considers the increased risk of corporal punishment and violence faced by children in situations of migration, conflict and disaster ([link removed]) .

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Over the past year, we conducted an in-depth review of states' commitment to prohibiting all corporal punishment, which resulted in a sharp drop in states committed to reform ([link removed]) .
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National moves towards prohibition

Armenia – The Government has confirmed its commitment to submitting prohibiting legislation to Parliament next year, in line with the Human Rights Action Plan 2020-2022.

Dominica – An October 2018 draft of the Child Justice Bill prohibits corporal punishment as a sentence for a crime, but does not repeal all provisions authorising it. ​As of summer 2019, the Bill had not yet been tabled.

Dominican Republic – A Positive Parenting Bill was introduced in the Chamber of Deputies in April 2019 which explicitly prohibits corporal punishment in all settings.

Guinea – The Civil Code 2019 did not explicitly prohibit corporal punishment but it did not mention a “right of correction” for parents which was included in the 1983 Code. The Children’s Code adopted in December 2019 is thought to prohibit it in all settings – we are seeking to verify this and establish whether it has been promulgated.

Maldives – The Child Rights Protection Act 2019 and the Juvenile Justice Act 2019 have both prohibited “ruthless and inhumane punishment” in all settings. We are seeking clarify the impact of these Acts on the legality of ‘lighter’ forms of corporal punishment, as they do not appear to be covered and corporal punishment seems to remain lawful as a sentence for crime under Shari’a law.

Myanmar – The Child Rights Law 2019 enshrines further protection from corporal punishment – we are working with partners to assess whether full legal prohibition has been achieved. Implementing Rules are currently being drafted, which may provide more clarity.

Pakistan - In February 2020, the Islamabad High Court suspended the application of section 89 of the Penal Code (which provides a legal defence for the use of corporal punishment) in Islamabad Capital Territory following a petition calling for a ban on corporal punishment in schools. The Minister for Human Rights has since said Cabinet has approved a Bill to ban corporal punishment in schools. We are seeking more information.

USA –​ In Mississippi, legislation adopted in March 2019 prohibits corporal punishment in public schools against students with disabilities. A Bill was introduced in January 2020 which would prohibit all corporal punishment in public schools. In Kentucky, legislation has reached the Senate which, if adopted, will prohibit corporal punishment in public schools, except for "reasonable athletic and military training”.

Other positive moves

Kenya – A Bill is being drafted to align the Children’s Act 2001 (which still includes a right of parents and others to “administer reasonable punishment”) with the 2010 Constitution which prohibited all corporal punishment. As of 2017 a draft of the Bill explicitly prohibited corporal punishment but also retained the defence – we are seeking further information.

But..

Brunei Darussalam – The new Sharia Penal Code 2013 entered into force in April 2019​. It, and the Sharia Courts Criminal Procedure Code Order 2018, allow for whipping and amputation of children as a sentence for a crime.

UK – The Government declared in February 2020 that they had no plans to ban parental corporal punishment as they "did not wish to interfere in how loving families bring up their children" and already had legislation banning "the beating of children”. ​

USA – In Hawaii, a new Bill was introduced in January 2020 which would confirm prohibition in schools, but also confirms the defence of “reasonable punishment” for parents and guardians.

US Virgin Islands ​– A Bill to prohibit corporal punishment in public schools that was tabled in January 2019 has still not progressed past Committee stage.
News from the UN human rights system

Final Outcomes of Universal Periodic Review, 33rd session
DPR Korea, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Qatar supported recommendations to prohibit all corporal punishment of children. Read more ([link removed])

Universal Periodic Review, 34th session, November 2019
Angola, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eygpt, Fiji, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Madagascar received recommendations on corporal punishment. Read more ([link removed])

Universal Periodic Review, 35th session, January 2020
Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR and Turkey received recommendations on corporal punishment. Read more ([link removed])

UN Human Rights Committee
The Committee made recommendations on corporal punishment to Mauritania at its 126th session ([link removed]) , and to Cabo Verde, the Czech Republic and Senegal at its 127th session ([link removed]) .

The Global Initiative briefs human rights treaty monitoring bodies and the UPR prior to examination of states. If you/your organisation is interested in submitting information on your state, contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Upcoming examinations, deadlines for submitting briefings, and previous recommendations are available in our country reports ([link removed]) and on the treaty body pages ([link removed]) on our website.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the UPR session and all Treaty Body sessions scheduled until the end of May 2020 have been postponed.
Help us continue to end violence against children

As valued supporters, we know that you understand the importance of prohibiting corporal punishment which is why we ask for your help today. Sign up to a small regular gift to help give children the opportunity to live free from violence.

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Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
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