United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/QAT/CO/3 Distr.: General 4 June 2018 Original: English Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Qatar* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the third periodic report of Qatar (CAT/C/QAT/3) at its 1627th and 1630th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1627 and 1630), held on 1 and 2 May 2018, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 1647th and 1648th meetings, held on 15 May 2018. A. Introduction 2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the simplified reporting procedure and submitting its periodic report since 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 having had the opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue with the State party’s delegation, and the responses provided to the questions and concerns raised during the consideration of the report. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee commends the State party’s initiatives to amend its policies and procedures in order to afford greater protection of human rights and apply the Convention, in particular: (a) The Council of Ministers’ decision of 14 March 2018 to accede to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; (b) The establishment of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, in 2017; (c) The adoption of the First National Development Strategy (2011–2016) and the Second National Development Strategy (2017–2022), which address human rights issues related to education, health, the environment, the rights of migrant workers, women’s empowerment and children’s rights. 5. The Committee appreciates that the State party maintains a standing invitation to the special procedure mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, which has allowed independent experts to carry out visits to the country during the reporting period. * Adopted by the Committee at its sixty-third session (23 April–18 May 2018). GE.18-08848(E) 

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