United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
CAT/C/LBN/CO/1
Distr.: General
30 May 2017
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the initial report of Lebanon*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the initial report of Lebanon
(CAT/C/LBN/1) at its 1509th and 1512th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1509 and 1512), held
on 20 and 21 April 2017, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 1532nd
and 1533rd meetings, held on 8 May 2017.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Lebanon and the
information contained therein. It regrets, however, that the report was submitted over 14
years late, which prevented the Committee from conducting a periodic analysis of the State
party’s implementation of the Convention following its ratification in 2000, in compliance
with the reporting procedure under article 19 of the Convention.
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 notes with satisfaction the fact that, since the entry into force of the
Convention for the State party, Lebanon has ratified or acceded to the following
international human rights instruments:
(a)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, on 22 December 2008;
(b)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, on 8 November 2004.
5.
The Committee welcomes the following legislative measures taken by the State
party in areas of relevance to the Convention:
(a)
The adoption of Law No. 62 of 2016 mandating the establishment of the
National Commission for Human Rights, a national human rights institution encompassing
a national preventive mechanism for the prevention of torture, as required under the
Optional Protocol to the Convention;
(b)
The adoption of Law No. 293 of 2014 on the protection of women and other
family members from domestic violence;
(c)
The adoption of Law No. 164 of 2011 on combating trafficking in persons.
* Adopted by the Committee at its sixtieth session (18 April-12 May 2017).
GE.17-08640(E)