Finland has urged Antigua and Barbuda to completely prohibit corporal punishment of children, including in schools, as the country undergoes its latest United Nations human rights review.

The recommendation was made during Antigua and Barbuda’s fourth Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human Rights Council.

Finland called on the Government to “prohibit corporal punishment of children in all settings, including schools,” and promote positive, non-violent methods of discipline.

Cyprus made a similar recommendation, calling on Antigua and Barbuda to strengthen child protection by prohibiting corporal punishment in educational institutions.

The Antigua and Barbuda delegation told the Council that the use of corporal punishment in schools is governed by the Education Act and is limited to a measure of last resort.

“It is standard policy that corporal punishment should not be used,” Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene said in the country’s presentation.

However, the practice has not been legally prohibited in all settings.

Greene said the Children (Care and Adoption) Act of 2015 provides a legal framework to protect children from abuse and neglect.

He also said the Family and Social Services Division provides parenting classes and counselling aimed at encouraging parents to use alternative forms of discipline and ensuring that children are not subjected to harmful punishment.

Antigua and Barbuda has reserved its position on the recommendations submitted during the review. The Government said it would consider each proposal and conduct consultations before providing a formal response.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Finland Urges Antigua and Barbuda to Ban Corporal Punishment in All Settings.