Children in the UK are being hit and hurt under the pretext of "physicalpunishment", in contravention to the UN Convention on the Rights of theChild, and it is legal.
In his letter Norman Wells wrongly claims that UK law already giveschildren protection from all forms of "physical or mental violence,injury or abuse", as stated in the UN convention (Children Now, 23-29May).
The action of hitting a person remains a form of physical violence andabuse; whether the person is adult or child, and whatever thereason.
In the UK, it is not acceptable to hit an adult; it is recognised asassault. The same protection must be afforded to children - who aresmaller, more fragile and unable to understand the reasons an adultmight dream up for hitting them.
In June 2006, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Childsaid giving children equal protection from assault is "an immediate andunqualified obligation" under the UN Convention on the Rights of theChild, and that no defence of reasonable punishment or chastisement isacceptable.
Let us hope the UK can see sense and not drag our feet behind othercountries, whose human rights record have been infinitely worse thanours, but who are now prepared to safeguard and champion the physicaland emotional integrity and wellbeing of children.
Rachel Matthews, associate, Children are Unbeatable! Cymru.
