United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
CAT/C/AUS/CO/4-5
Distr.: General
23 December 2014
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth
periodic reports of Australia*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic
reports of Australia (CAT/C/AUS/4-5) at its 1260th and 1263rd meetings, held on 10 and
11 November 2014 (see CAT/C/SR.1260 and 1263), and adopted at its 1284th and 1285th
meetings, held on 26 November 2014 (see CAT/C/SR.1284 and 1285), the following
concluding observations.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the
optional reporting procedure, as this allows for a more focused dialogue between the State
party and the Committee.
3.
The Committee welcomes the interactive dialogue held with the State party’s highlevel multisectoral delegation, as well as the additional information and explanations
provided by the delegation to the Committee.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s ratification of or accession to the
following international instruments:
(a)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2008;
(b)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, in 2008;
(c)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities, in 2009.
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-third session (3–28 November 2014).
GE.14-24901 (E)