Child deaths
Deaths from maltreatment, per 100,000 children aged under 15
1. Portugal 3.7
2. Mexico 3.0
3. USA 2.4
4. France 1.4
5. Hungary 1.3
6. New Zealand 1.3
7. Czech Republic 1.2
8. Belgium 1.1
9. Slovakia 1.0
10. Japan 1.0
11. Austria* 1.0
12. Canada 1.0
13. Switzerland 0.9
14. Britain 0.9
15. Poland 0.9
16. Finland* 0.8
17. Denmark* 0.8
18. Germany* 0.8
19. Australia 0.8
20. South Korea 0.8
21. Sweden* 0.6
22. Netherlands 0.6
23. Norway* 0.3
24. Ireland 0.3
25. Italy 0.2
26. Greece 0.2
27. Spain 0.1
*Countries which ban smacking
Source: Unicef, 2003. Includes deaths "of undetermined intent".
The British may have decided not to ban smacking on the grounds that the majority of parents oppose such a move but they have not vetoed Austria, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Norway from legislating!
The British should not be allowed to veto Wales's right to legislate either. Only 6% of British MP's are elected from Wales (94% from outside) while 100% of Welsh AM's are elected from Wales. The mandate to legislate for Wales is with the Senedd.