In 2008 the European Children's Network devised a campaign to ban corporal punishment in the home. The campaign, which will be launched on the 10 December in the European Parliament aims to make Europe a corporal punishment free zone by 2009, in line with the UN's global deadline.
Background to the campaign
Corporal punishment remains one of the most accepted forms of violence against children across the European Union today. Not only do thirteen out of the twenty-seven EU Member States not have legislation fully prohibiting the corporal punishment of children, but, as determined through a survey of the European Children’s Network (EURONET) member organisations, even in the EU countries where full prohibition exists, there remains an alarming prevalence and social acceptance of corporal punishment against children. Thisis in spite of the obligation of the EU Member States to abolish all forms of violence against children, implied by their ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC 1989).
In 2006 the UN Secretary-General’s study on violence against children made it clear that all forms of corporal punishment in all settings amount to a violation of the rights of the child to dignity and respect. As a result, it calls upon states to abolish all forms of violence, including corporal punishment, by 2009. EURONET adds a strong European NGO voice to the tireless campaigning efforts across Europe aimed at making Europe a corporal punishment free zone by 2009.
Although EURONET strongly supports the recommendations of the UN study, it is fearful that EU Member States will not comply with the 2009 global deadline for prohibition proposed by the UN Study. EURONET therefore actively calls upon the European institutions to demonstrate their support for this call. EURONET asks for the European Union’s commitment to send a strong signal to the Member States that corporal punishment against children cannot be tolerated and that national legislation should be reviewed so as to explicitly outlaw corporal punishment in all settings.
Aim of the Campaign
EURONET supports the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), including the child’s right to be protected from all forms of violence and from cruel, humiliating and degrading treatment in all European Union countries (Art.19, Art.37 UNCRC).
To achieve the United Nations’ global deadline to end all forms of corporal punishment against children by 2009:
EURONET urges EU Member States to ensure that national legislation fully prohibits corporal punishment in the home.
EURONET encourages EU Member States to raise awareness amongst children and their parents and carers on children’s rights to protection from corporal punishment, and ensure that laws prohibiting corporal punishment are fully implemented
EURONET calls on EU Member States to adequate resource positive parenting programmes in order to support parents in finding alternative, non-violent methods of setting boundaries for children.
EURONET calls on the EU institutions to add valuable support to the call to end all forms of corporal punishment of children so as to ensure that all Member States review their national legislation and practice.
EURONET calls on the EU institutions to stimulate the exchange of best practices to implement legislation banning corporal punishment in the home, and to promote positive parenting.
EURONET calls on the EU institutions to facilitate data collection on the practice, prevalence and impact of corporal punishment against children, including through research with children, across EU Member States.
EURONET calls on the European Parliament to support ending all corporal punishment of children in the EU by issuing a written declaration supporting the eradication of all forms of corporal punishment.
