UNITED NATIONS CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr. GENERAL CAT/C/BEN/CO/2 19 February 2008 ENGLISH Original: FRENCH COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE Thirty-ninth session Geneva, 5-23 November 2007 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture BENIN 1. The Committee against Torture (“the Committee”) considered the second periodic report of Benin (CAT/C/BEN/2) at its 797th and 800th meetings, held on 15 and 16 November 2007 (CAT/C/SR.797 and 800), and adopted, at its 807th meeting on 22 November 2007 (CAT/C/SR.807), the following conclusions and recommendations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the report of Benin, which follows the Committee’s general guidelines for the preparation of reports, and expresses its appreciation for the opportunity thus afforded to resume its dialogue with the State party. The Committee regrets, however, that the report was submitted with an eight-year delay and that the State party did not make the necessary efforts to implement all the recommendations made by the Committee during the consideration of the initial report of Benin, in 2001 (A/57/44, paras. 30 to 35). 3. The Committee commends the frankness of the report, which acknowledges shortcomings in the State party’s implementation of the Convention. The Committee appreciates the constructive dialogue established with the high-level delegation sent by the State party and notes with satisfaction the replies provided to the questions raised during the dialogue. Lastly, the Committee is gratified that national non-governmental organizations were present during the consideration of the report. GE.08-40602 (E) 130308 160308

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