United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
CAT/C/EST/CO/5
Distr.: General
17 June 2013
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of
Estonia, adopted by the Committee at its fiftieth session (6–31
May 2013)
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the fifth periodic report of Estonia
(CAT/C/EST/5) at its 1154th and 1157th meetings, held on 22 and 23 May 2013
(CAT/C/SR.1154 and CAT/C/SR.1157), and adopted the following concluding
observations at its 1166th meeting (CAT/C/SR.1166) held on 30 May 2013.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the
optional reporting procedure and for submitting its fifth periodic report in a timely manner
by providing replies to the list of issues (CAT/C/EST/Q/5), which focuses the examination
of the report as well as the dialogue with the delegation.
3.
The Committee also appreciates the open and constructive dialogue with the highlevel delegation of the State party and the detailed supplementary information provided.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes that, since the consideration of the fourth periodic report,
the State party ratified or acceded to the following international instruments:
(a)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on 30 May 2012;
(b)
The 1973 ILO (International Labour Organization) Convention No. 138
concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment in 2007.
5.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s efforts to revise its legislation in areas of
relevance to the Convention, including:
(a)
Amendments to the Penal Code in April 2012 which criminalize trafficking
in human beings as a distinct provision in the Penal Code;
(b) Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure which expedite judicial
proceedings, enhance the protection of minors and strengthen the rights of detainees, that
entered into force on 1 September 2011;
(c)
The entry into force on 1 January 2009 of the Equal Treatment Act which
ensures the right to effective remedy to victims of direct and indirect discrimination and
harassment.
GE.13-44584