Page 42 - สรุปข้อสังเกตคณะกรรมการว่าด้วยสิทธิเด็ก (UN) ต่อรายงานภายใต้ข้อ 44 แห่งอนุสัญญาว่าด้วยสิทธิเด็ก

CRC/C/THA/CO/2
page 9

Access to information

37. The Committee appreciates the measures taken by the State party to increase
child-targeted programming in the media, and the amount of primetime media hours devoted
to programming for children, youth and families. It is concerned, however, at the quality of
programming. While noting that the draft Measures for the Suppression of Provocative
Materials Act is pending before the Cabinet, the Committee is concerned that some of the
materials published in the media and available through the Internet are harmful to the child.
Further, the Committee, while noting the efforts of the Ministry for Information and
Communication Technology, expresses its concern that no systematic media-monitoring
mechanisms exist at the national and subnational levels to protect children from being exposed
to harmful information, such as violence and pornography, transmitted through the media and
through the Internet.

38. The Committee recommends that, through cooperation with radio and television
broadcasters, mechanisms be established to monitor and improve the quality and
suitability of media programming produced primarily for children and youth. Further, the
Committee recommends, in light of article 17 of the Convention, that the State party take
all necessary legal and other measures, including advisory campaigns directed to parents,
guardians and teachers, and cooperation with Internet service providers to protect
children from being exposed to harmful material such as violence and pornography,
transmitted through the media and Internet.

Corporal punishment

39. The Committee notes the State party’s efforts to prohibit the use of corporal punishment
in schools and takes note of the recent Ministerial regulation prohibiting the use of corporal
punishment in penal institutions. The Committee nevertheless regrets that corporal punishment
in the home and in alternative care settings is not explicitly prohibited by law. Further, it notes
the State party’s acknowledgement that child victims are often afraid to complain and that
assistance is rarely available to them.

40. The Committee reiterates that corporal punishment is not compatible with the
provisions of the Convention and is not consistent with the requirement of respect for
the child’s dignity as specifically required by article 28, paragraph 2 of the Convention.
Therefore, the Committee urges the State party, taking into account the recommendations
adopted by the Committee on its day of general discussion on violence against children
within the family and in schools (see CRC/C/111), to prohibit by law all forms of corporal
punishment in the home and in all alternative care settings.

41. The Committee recommends that the State party sensitize and educate parents
and other caregivers, law enforcement officials and professionals working with and for
children by carrying out public awareness-raising campaigns about the harmful impact of
corporal punishment. It encourages the State party to promote positive, non-violent forms
of discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment. The Committee also recommends
that the State party establish specific child-sensitive complaint mechanisms and services,
and ensure access of all children to these mechanisms.