Japan bans the corporal punishment of children (3)

1 March, 2020

Dear all and thanks Hajime and Tony for raising this topic.

Regarding your question Tony about whether we think that "a penalty is necessary to change the practice" although we can consider that a law/penalty might be necessary it is not always sufficient especially in certain contexts when there is little adherence to rules and laws.

Besides it the Convention on the Rigths of the Child in its Article 3. requires "States to ensure that “no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

I believe that - in addition to the sanctions and laws and the need to ensure their respect - it is important to develop capacities on this issue taking into account the beliefs and myths that exist around it.

Best regards and thanks in advance,

Irene

CHIFA profile: Irene Melamed is a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist. Master in Bioethics and Law, University of Barcelona. Member of the Southern Cone Initiative on Child's rights. Professor of Bioethics. Vice-president of the Society for Comprehensive Adolescent Health, SASIA, Argentina 2015-2018. dramelamed AT gmail.com She is a CHIFA Country Representative for Argentina http://www.hifa.org/support/members/irene-0