violence against children WORLD REPORT ON - CRIN

“I have seen the harsh behaviour of teachers in schools and colleges. Every day there are severepunishments by teachers, so we remain very afraid in class. The teacher often makes a student stand upin class, scolds him with ugly words and teases him for being naughty or for not learning the lessons.It is very shameful as well as painful.”Boy, 17, South and Central Asia, 2005 IIHuman rights INSTRUMENTSGeneral Comment No. 1 also states that: “…Children do not lose their human rightsby virtue of passing through the school gates. Thus, for example, education must beprovided in a way that respects the inherent dignity of the child, enables the child toexpress his or her views freely in accordance with article 12(1) and to participate inschool life. Education must also be provided in a way that respects the strict limits ondiscipline reflected in article 28(2) and promotes non-violence in school. The Committeehas repeatedly made clear in its concluding observations that the use of corporalpunishment does not respect the inherent dignity of the child nor the strict limits onschool discipline…” 17114Violence against children in schools and educational settingsThe Committee has reflected this interpretation in its concluding observations onStates parties’ reports under the CRC, recommending that they should prohibit allcorporal punishment. In June 2006 the Committee adopted its General Comment No.8 on the right of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel ordegrading forms of punishment (articles 19, 28(2) and 37, inter alia; CRC/C/GC/8).The Committee states that the purpose of the General Comment is “to highlight theobligation of all States parties to move quickly to prohibit and eliminate all corporalpunishment and all other cruel or degrading forms of punishment of children and tooutline the legislative and other awareness-raising and educational measures that Statesmust take.”The Committee comments: “Addressing the widespread acceptance or tolerance ofcorporal punishment of children and eliminating it, in the family, schools and othersettings, is not only an obligation of States parties under the CRC. It is also a key strategyfor reducing and preventing all forms of violence in societies.” 18