CAT
UNITED
NATIONS
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/4/Rev.3
18 July 2005
Original: ENGLISH
GUIDELINES ON THE FORM AND CONTENT OF INITIAL REPORTS
UNDER ARTICLE 19 TO BE SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES TO
THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
1.
Under article 19 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment each State party undertakes to submit a report on the
measures taken to give effect to its undertakings under the Convention. The initial report is due
within one year after the entry into force of the Convention for that State party and thereafter
every four years unless the Committee requests other reports.
2.
In order to assist States parties in fulfilling their obligations under article 19, the
Committee has adopted the following general guidelines as to the form and content of initial
reports. The present Guidelines replace the earlier version adopted by the Committee at
its 82nd meeting (sixth session) in April 1991.
PART I. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Introduction
3.
In the introductory part of the report, cross-references to the expanded core document
should be made regarding information of a general nature, such as the general political structure,
general legal framework within which human rights are protected, etc. It is not necessary to
repeat that information in the initial report.
4.
Information on the process of preparing the report should be included in this section. The
Committee considers that drafting of reports would benefit from broad-based consultations. It
therefore welcomes information on any such consultations within Government, with national
institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, non-governmental organizations
and other organizations that might have taken place.
GE.05-42837 (E) 200705