CAT
UNITED
NATIONS
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/AUT/CO/3
15 December 2005
Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Thirty-fifth session
7-25 November 2005
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION
Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture
AUSTRIA
1.
The Committee considered the third periodic report of Austria (CAT/C/34/Add.18) at
its 679th and 680th meetings (CAT/C/SR.679 and 680), held on 16 and 17 November 2005, and
adopted, at its 691st meeting held on 24 November 2005, the following conclusions and
recommendations.
A. Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of Austria, which
was prepared in accordance with the Committee’s guidelines. It notes, however, that the report
was submitted with a three-year delay. The Committee appreciates the constructive dialogue
with the high-level delegation and commends the comprehensive written responses provided to
the list of issues (CAT/C/35/L/AUT), as well as the oral information provided by the State
party’s delegation during the consideration of the report.
B. Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the assurances of the State party regarding the relationship
between the observance of human rights standards and the fight against terrorism, that it will
adhere strictly to the guidelines adopted in 2002 by the Council of Europe on human rights and
the fight against terrorism, and that it will work during its presidency of the European Union
(January-June 2006) to further strengthen the commitment towards the absolute nature of the
prohibition of torture.
GE.05-45521 (E) 180106