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

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