HRC58 - Joint statement - Prohibition of corporal punishment against children
Human Rights Council – 58th session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against children
Joint Statement on the prohibition of corporal punishment against children
12 March 2025
Thank you, Mr President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of Costa Rica, Kenya and 33 countries.
The first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children held in Colombia, generated unprecedented political commitment addressing the grim reality faced by the one billion children affected by violence each year.
Children have the fundamental right to be protected from violence. Of all the forms of violence against children, corporal punishment remains the most prevalent and socially accepted.
Almost twenty years ago, the UN Secretary General called for the universal prohibition of all corporal punishment. Multiple treaty bodies and regional mechanisms have also condemned it, recognizing it as a clear violation of children’s human rights. Yet, in over 125 States, corporal punishment remains legally permissible continuing to undermine the human rights, dignity and wellbeing of children.
The medical and public health implications of corporal punishment are well-documented. Scientific research has established that corporal punishment not only inflicts direct physical harm, but also has longstanding developmental, mental and cognitive impairment repercussions.
In light of this overwhelming evidence, we wish to draw attention of this human rights issue and encourage States to take appropriate legislative reforms accompanied by other measures such as awareness-raising and educational initiatives to prohibit and eliminate all corporal punishment of children in all settings.
We call upon States to also promote non-violent forms of discipline that will uphold children’s dignity, physical integrity, and equal protection under the law.
Thank you,
