Corporal Punishment - Ban Passed

Venezuela passed a law on December 10, 2007physical and humiliating punishment.
banning all forms of physical and humiliating punishmentCarlos Trapani from child rights organization Cecodap,
of children. The law makes Venezuela the secondwho led the advocacy campaign, said: "Corporal
Latin American country to pass such a law; Uruguaypunishment is a violent phenomenon. It is a violation of
became the first, November 2007. Venezuela joinshuman rights."
several countries, which bans all forms of corporalThe new law:
punishment in school and the home.Article 32a. The right to good treatment All children and
Worldwide Bans on Corporal Punishment: Everyyoung people have a right to be treated well. This right
industrialized country in the world now prohibits schoolincludes a non-violent education and upbringing, based
corporal punishment, except the U.S. and Australiaon love, affection, mutual understanding and respect,
(Outback regions only). The following list shows theand solidarity.
trend towards the elimination of corporal punishment inParents, representatives, guardians, relatives, and
schools, dating back to the 1700's.teachers should use non-violent methods of education
Year Countryand discipline to raise and educate their children.
Since Foundation** IcelandConsequently, all forms of physical and humiliating
1783 Polandpunishment are prohibited. The State, with the active
1820 Netherlandsparticipation of society, must ensure policies, programs
1845 Luxembourgand protection measures are in place to abolish all
1860 Italyforms of physical and humiliating punishment of children
1867 Belgiumand young people.
1870 AustriaCorporal punishment is defined as the use of force, in
1881 Franceraising or educating children, with the intention of
1890 Finlandcausing any degree of physical pain or discomfort to
1900 Japancorrect, control or change the behavior of children and
1917 Russiayoung people.
1923 TurkeyHumiliating punishment can be understood as any form
1936 Norwayof offensive, denigrating, devaluing, stigmatizing or
1949 Chinamocking, treatment, carried out to raise or educate
1950 Portugalchildren and young people, with the aim of disciplining,
1958 Swedencontrolling or changing their behavior.
1967 DenmarkArticle 56. The right to be respected by teachers. All
1967 Cypruschildren and young people have the right to be
1970 Germanyrespected by their teachers, and receive an education
1970 Switzerlandbased on love, affection, mutual understanding, national
1982 Irelandidentity, mutual respect for ideas and beliefs, and
1983 Greecesolidarity. Consequently, all forms of physical and
1986 United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales, andhumiliating punishment are prohibited.
Northern IrelandArticle 358. Content of the responsibility for raising
1990 New Zealandchildren. The responsibility for raising children includes
1990 Namibiathe shared duty and right, which is equal and
1996 South Africanon-derogable, of the father and mother to love, raise,
1998 England*train, educate, and look after their children, sustain and
1998 American Samoaassist them financially, morally and emotionally, using
1999 Zimbabweappropriate corrective measures that do not violate
2000 Zambiatheir dignity, rights, guarantees or overall development.
2000 ThailandConsequently, all forms of physical punishment,
2000 Trinidad and Tobagopsychological violence and humiliating treatment, which
2001 Kenyaharm children and young people, are prohibited.
2002 FijiStated purpose: A new human right - the right to be
2003 Icelandtreated well - has been introduced to reinforce children
2004 Canadaand young people's status as rights-holders, and to
2004 Romaniaensure the full recognition of their dignity and personal
2004 Ukraineintegrity. This right includes a non-violent upbringing and
2005 Hungaryeducation, based on love, affection, mutual
2007 Greeceunderstanding and respect, and solidarity. In addition to
2007 Australiaan express ban on all forms of physical and humiliating
2007 Uruguaypunishment, fathers, mothers, representatives,
*This ban solidifies a ban imposed in 1986, extendingguardians, relatives and teachers have an obligation to
the ban to ALL private schools.use non-violent methods to raise, train, educate and
**Iceland is the only country known to have banneddiscipline children and young people, to ensure the
corporal punishment during the country's foundation.implementation of this right. This new regulation is a
Hence, it has never been legal there.step towards achieving abolition of all forms of abuse
The reform of the Venezuela law, which protectsof children and young people, and building the legal
children and young people includes a provision forfoundations for a new and peaceful society.
children's right to be well treated and bans all forms of