12 children have been shot by paramilitaries in Northern Ireland in the last 6 years, according to the region's Human Rights Commission.

It says the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive need to do more to protect youngsters' rights - including banning smacking.

NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Professor Les Allamby commented: "This report provides us with an invaluable opportunity to shine a spotlight on young people's rights. The Commission has highlighted a number of recommendations made by the United Nations in 2008 that have not yet been implemented and therefore require urgent action. These include raising the age of criminal responsibility, ending corporal punishment and reducing the use of remand for children in the criminal justice system."

The Commission has advised that the UN Committee should ask the UK Government, including the Northern Ireland Executive to:

• Take immediate action to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 12 years of age.
• Condemn the ongoing attacks by paramilitary organisations and ask the UK Government and the N.I Executive to take immediate and effective action to address the issue of paramilitary attacks against children.
• Ban smacking of children without delay. §End Academic Selection-The UN Committee called for academic selection to be abolished in 2008 and despite the end of the 11+, the current system of testing has allowed a 'two-tier culture' to remain.