CAT/C/PRT/CO/5-6 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 23 December 2013 Original: English Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Portugal* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Portugal (CAT/C/PRT/5-6) at its 1186th and 1189th meetings, held on 7 and 8 November 2013 (CAT/C/SR.1186 and 1189), and adopted at its 1204th meeting, held on 20 November 2013 (CAT/C/SR.1204), the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the optional reporting procedure and for having submitted its combined fifth and sixth periodic reports in a timely manner thereunder, as it improves the cooperation between the State party and the Committee and focuses the examination of the report as well as the dialogue with the delegation. 3. The Committee appreciates the open and constructive dialogue with the State party’s high-level multisectoral delegation, as well as the additional information and explanations provided to the Committee. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the following international instruments: (a) The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, on 23 September 2009; (b) The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, on 15 January 2013; (c) The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, on 28 January 2013; and (d) The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, on 24 September 2013. * Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-first session (28 October–22 November 2013). GE.13-49889 *1349889*

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