Prohibition of corporal punishment of children by teachers and educators with special emphasis on role of clerics and religious leaders in confronting it

One of the disturbing aspects of child abuse and violence is corporal punishment of children by teachers, educators and staff in educational contexts. Despite the prohibition of such actions in the national and international regulations particularly in the CRC, and potential adverse consequences of physical abuse, drawing on their false and unfounded customs and beliefs, many still maintain that teachers and educators have the right to use corporal punishment. Furthermore, citing certain religious teachings, some researchers have confirmed this and even suggested that teachers, like parents, have this punishment right. Stressing the prohibition of corporal punishment of children by teachers and educators in national and international regulations, this article examines its impermissibility from jurisprudential perspective. It also deals with the influential role religious leaders and clerics can play in fighting against violence against children and removing the misconceptions and wrong beliefs about corporal punishment. This issue has been addressed in the 8th declaration of the World Assembly of Religions for Peace (Kyoto, 2006) but has not received enough attention.