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Universal Periodic Review
Introduction
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a process undertaken by the Human Rights Council of reviewing the overall human rights records of all UN member states once every four years. It was established by the General Assembly in 2006, when the Council itself was established, and enables each state to describe the actions they have taken to fulfil their international human rights obligations. There is a process for the submission of information by NGOs and human rights institutions on states coming up for review (for details and deadlines see the official UPR page or sign up to the Global Initiative newsletter, email info@endcorporalpunishment.org). Briefings submitted by the Global Initiative are available below (search by state or by session).
Following review of the national report of the state under consideration and examination of government representatives, members of the Human Rights Council – an inter-governmental body of 47 UN member states – make recommendations to the particular state aimed at improving compliance with its human rights obligations. The state responds by accepting or rejecting the recommendations and providing further information as necessary, though sometimes the response is unclear or makes no reference at all to a particular recommendation.
During its first nine UPR sessions (2008-2010), the Human Rights Council reviewed the human rights records of 143 states. The obligation to prohibit corporal punishment of children was raised as an issue in relation to over 80 states, at least 35 of which accepted recommendations to prohibit it. These positive responses provide opportunities for NGOs, human rights institutions, UN agencies and others to advocate for law reform to prohibit corporal punishment.
A minority of states (12) were outspoken in their defence of corporal punishment of children and rejected recommendations concerning prohibition. Others provided information on prohibition which is disputed by the Global Initiative (see the following table for details). In these states, where governments misinterpret legislation or actively oppose law reform, human rights institutions, NGOs and other child rights advocates may need to consider the use of legal action and international and regional human rights complaint/communication mechanisms in pursuing law reform. The Global Initiative is always pleased to give advice and technical assistance: email info@endcorporalpunishment.org.
Corporal punishment of children in the Universal Periodic Review: Analysis of sessions 1 to 9 (2008-2010)
Name of state being examined:Matching State ({ds_RowCount} of {ds_UnfilteredRowCount}). The following table can be viewed alphabetically according to state being examined or chronologically by session.
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State(s) raising the issue of corporal punishment |
State(s) making recommendations on corporal punishment |
Government acceptance or rejection of recomendations |
Government comments |
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{session} |
{raising} |
{making} |
{acceptance} |
{comments} |
Global Initiative briefings submitted to the UPR
The Global Initiative submits briefings on corporal punishment of children to the UPR for every state which at the time of briefing has not yet achieved prohibition in all settings. Past briefings are available here. We encourage NGOs and national human rights institutions to do likewise: if you would like assistance in preparing a briefing, please email info@endcorporalpunishment.org. For information on states coming up for review and the deadlines for sending information, see the official UPR page or sign up to the Global Initiative newsletter (email info@endcorporalpunishment.org).