UNITED NATIONS CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr. GENERAL CAT/C/KAZ/CO/2 12 December 2008 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE Forty-first session Geneva, 3 - 21 November 2008 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture KAZAKHSTAN 1. The Committee considered the second periodic report of Kazakhstan (CAT/C/KAZ/2) at its 842nd and 845th meetings (CAT/C/SR.842 and CAT/C/SR.845), held on 6 and 7 November 2008, and adopted at its 858th meeting held on 18 November 2008 (CAT/C/SR.858), the following conclusions and recommendations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the second periodic report of Kazakhstan and the responses to the list of issues (CAT/C/KAZ/Q/2/Add.1) submitted by the State party. The Committee also wishes to welcome the open and constructive dialogue held with the high-level delegation. B. 3. Positive aspects The Committee welcomes the recent ratification of the following international instruments: (a) The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture; (b) The declaration made under article 21 and 22 of the Convention against Torture in 2008 recognizing the competence of the Committee to receive and consider State and individual communications; (c) The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2006 and the signature of the first Optional Protocol thereto in 2007; (d) GE.08-45678 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in January 2006;

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