United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/NLD/CO/5-6 Distr.: General 20 June 2013 Original: English Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of the Netherlands, adopted by the Committee at its fiftieth session (6-31 May 2013) 1. The Committee against Torture considered the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (CAT/C/NLD/5-6) at its 1144th and 1147th meetings, held on 14 and 15 May 2013 (CAT/C/SR/1144 and 1147), and adopted at its 1163rd meeting, held on 28 May 2013 (CAT/C/SR/1163), the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the optional reporting procedure and to have submitted its periodic report under it, as it improves the cooperation between the State party and the Committee and focuses the examination of the report as well as the dialogue with the delegation. 3. The Committee welcomes the information presented in the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which consists of the Netherlands (the part in Europe and in the Caribbean, namely Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba), and the autonomous countries within the Kingdom, namely Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. The Committee notes with appreciation a constructive dialogue with the State party’s delegation. The State party’s report generally complied with the reporting guidelines, although it lacked updates on the implementation of the Convention in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands. The Committee also appreciates the delegation’s oral and written responses to questions raised and concerns expressed during the consideration of the report. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee notes with satisfaction the various measures taken by the State party to implement the standards set by the Convention in the domestic policies and to guarantee the rights of persons not to be subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 5. The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the following international instruments: (a) The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, on 24 September 2009; GE.13-44661

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