CAT
UNITED
NATIONS
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/BIH/CO/1
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
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
1.
The Committee considered the initial report of Bosnia and Herzegovina
(CAT/C/21/Add.6) at its 667th and 670th meetings (CAT/C/SR.667 and 670), held
on 8 and 9 November 2005, and adopted, at its 689th meeting, the following conclusions
and recommendations.
A. Introduction
2.
While welcoming the initial report of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the information
presented therein, the Committee is concerned that the report is overdue by more than 10 years.
The Committee expresses its appreciation for the large and high-level delegation, with
representatives from relevant ministries and different entities in the State party, which facilitated
a constructive oral exchange during the consideration of the report.
3.
The Committee notes that following the State party’s independence in 1992, the State
continued to experience armed conflict which lasted until 1995. Furthermore, the complicated
and fragmented legal structure of the State, which grants substantial autonomy to the two entities
established under the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement (the Federation of Bosnia and the
Republika Srspka) and the Brcko District, has sometimes led to contradictions and difficulties
in implementing all laws and policies at all levels of authority. Nevertheless, the Committee
wishes to remind the State party that despite its complex structure, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a
single State under international law and has the obligation to implement the Convention in full,
and that no exceptional circumstances justify the use of torture.
GE.05-45528 (E) 180106