UNITED
NATIONS
CAT
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/PHL/CO/2
29 May 2009
Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Forty-second session
Geneva, 27 April-15 May 2009
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture
THE PHILIPPINES
1.
The Committee considered the second periodic report of the Philippines (CAT/C/PHL/2)
at its 868th and 871st meetings (CAT/C/SR.868 and 871), held on 28 and 29 April 2009, and
adopted, at its 887th and 888th meetings (CAT/C/SR.887 and 888), the following concluding
observations.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the second periodic report of the
Philippines, which, while generally following the Committee’s guidelines for reporting, lacks
statistical information and practical information on the implementation of the provisions of the
Convention and relevant domestic legislation. The Committee regrets that the report was
submitted 16 years late.
3.
The Committee expresses its appreciation for the extensive written responses to its list of
issues (CAT/C/PHL/Q/2/Add.1), which provided important additional information. The
Committee also appreciates the comprehensive and fruitful dialogue conducted with the highlevel delegation and the additional oral information provided by representatives of the State party
during the consideration of the report.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes that in the period since the consideration of the latest periodic
report, the State party has ratified or acceded to the following international instruments:
(a)
GE.09-42720
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2008;