CAT/C/BGR/CO/4-5 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 14 December 2011 Original: English Committee against Torture Forty-seventh session 31 October–25 November 2011 Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 19 of the Convention Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture Bulgaria 1. The Committee against Torture considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Bulgaria (CAT/C/BGR/4-5) at its 1032nd and 1035th meetings, on 9 and 10 November 2011, (CAT/C/SR.1032 and 1035), and adopted concluding observations at its 1054th meeting (CAT/C/SR.1054) on 24 November 2011. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth and fifth combined periodic reports of Bulgaria, submitted in accordance with its reporting guidelines, regrettably two years late, and the replies to the list of issues (CAT/C/BGR/Q/4-5). 3. The Committee appreciated the open and constructive dialogue with the State party’s high-level diverse delegation and thanks the delegation for its clear, frank and detailed answers to the questions raised by Committee members. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee welcomes that since the consideration of the third periodic report, the State party has ratified or acceded to the following international instruments: (a) Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in 2011; and (b) Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in 2006. 5. The Committee welcomes the signing of the bilateral agreement on cooperation concluded in June 2010 between Bulgaria and Greece to combat organized crime, including smuggling, human trafficking and drugs. GE.11- 47788

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