{"id":3368,"date":"2018-01-18T11:12:52","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T11:12:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.endcorporalpunishment.net\/?page_id=3368"},"modified":"2025-03-13T16:33:57","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T16:33:57","slug":"iccpr","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/endcorporalpunishment.org\/human-rights-law\/iccpr\/","title":{"rendered":"International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)<\/h2>\n\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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Ratification of the ICCPR<\/em><\/h4>

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been ratified or acceded to by 173 states (December 2019).<\/p>

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Relevant articles<\/em><\/h4>

Art. 7: \u201cNo one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>

Art. 10: \u201c(1) All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>

Art. 24: \u201c(1) Every child shall have, without any discrimination as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property or birth, the right to such measures of protection as are required by his status as a minor, on the part of his family, society and the State\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>

Art. 26: \u201cAll persons are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law. In this respect, the law shall prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any grounds such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>

General Comments adopted by the Human Rights Committee<\/em><\/h4>

In 1992, the Committee adopted General Comment No. 20 on \u201cArticle 7 (Prohibition of torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment)\u201d. It states that the text of article 7 \u201callows of no limitation\u201d and \u201cno justification or extenuating circumstances may be invoked to excuse a violation of article 7 for any reasons\u201d (para. 3). The Committee confirms that the prohibition relates to acts that cause mental suffering as well as those causing physical pain, that it extends to corporal punishment, and that it particularly protects children in teaching and medical institutions (para. 5).<\/p>

Other relevant General Comments include No. 17 on \u201cArticle 24 (Rights of the child)\u201d (1989), which emphasises the child\u2019s right to receive protection without discrimination from his\/her family, society and the state (para. 1) and confirms that all rights in the Covenant apply to children (para. 2). No. 18 on \u201cNon-discrimination\u201d (1989) defines discrimination as \u201cany distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference which is based on any ground such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, and which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by all persons, on an equal footing, of all rights and freedoms\u201d (para. 7). The Committee explains that non-discrimination may require additional protections for some groups, including children (para. 8). General Comment No. 21 on \u201cArticle 10 (Humane treatment of persons deprived of their liberty)\u201d (1992) emphasises the importance of respect for human dignity and physical integrity.<\/p>

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The Committee\u2019s recommendations to states parties<\/em><\/h4>

The Committee has long raised the issue of corporal punishment in its examination of states parties\u2019 implementation of the Covenant, moving from an earlier emphasis on corporal punishment in the penal system and schools to recommendations to address it \u2013 including through legislative measures \u2013 in all settings including the home. As at November 2019, the Committee had made 102 observations \/ recommendations on corporal punishment to 73 states.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Extracts from the Committee's recommendations to states on corporal punishment of children can be accessed here by session. Recommendations are also included in the\u00a0individual country reports<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n

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