United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
CAT/C/BHR/CO/2-3
Distr.: General
29 May 2017
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the second and third periodic
reports of Bahrain*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the second and third periodic reports of
Bahrain (CAT/C/BHR/2 and CAT/C/BHR/3) at its 1511th and 1514th meetings (see
CAT/C/SR.1511 and 1514), held on 21 and 24 April 2017, and adopted the present
concluding observations at its 1533rd and 1534th meetings, held on 8 and 9 May 2017.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee regrets the late submission of the second and third periodic reports,
submitted in 2015 and 2016 respectively, 12 years after the consideration of the initial
report. It welcomes the dialogue with the State party’s delegation and the information
provided orally in response to the concerns raised by the Committee.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the ratification of or accession to the following
international instruments by the State party:
(a)
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, on 20 September
2006;
(b)
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, on 27
September 2007;
(c)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on 22 September
2011.
4.
The Committee also welcomes the State party’s initiatives to revise its legislation in
areas of relevance to the Convention, including the adoption of:
(a)
Royal Order No. 28 establishing the Bahrain Independent Commission of
Inquiry, which was tasked with investigating and reporting on the events that took place in
Bahrain in February and March 2011 and the consequences of those events, and making
appropriate recommendations, in July 2011;
(b)
Royal Order No. 45 establishing the National Commission to give effect to
recommendation No. 1715 of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, on 26
November 2011;
* Adopted by the Committee at its sixtieth session (18 April-12 May 2017).
GE.17-08511(E)