CAT/C/NER/CO/1 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 20 December 2019 English Original: French Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the initial report of the Niger* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the initial report of the Niger (CAT/C/NER/1) at its 1806th and 1809th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1806 and 1809), held on 26 and 27 November 2019, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 1821st meeting, held on 5 December 2019. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s initial report but regrets that it was submitted 19 years late. 1 It appreciates the opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue with the State party on the measures taken to implement the provisions of the Convention. 3. The Committee is also grateful to the State party for the additional information provided. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of nearly all the international human rights instruments. 5. The Committee also welcomes the following legislative and institutional measures taken by the State party: (a) judiciary; Act No. 2018-36 of 24 May 2018 establishing the regulations governing the (b) Act No. 2018-37 of 1 June 2018 establishing the organization and jurisdiction of the courts in the Niger; (c) Act No. 2017-08 of 31 March 2017 on the basic principles of the prison system in the Niger; (d) Act No. 2003-025 of 13 June 2003, amending Act No. 61-27 of 15 July 1961 establishing the Criminal Code, which criminalizes all forms of female genital mutilation and establishes the corresponding penalties; (e) Ordinance No. 2010-86 of 16 December 2010 on combating trafficking in persons, which criminalizes trafficking for sexual and labour purposes, including slavery and slavery-like practices, and for the purpose of exploitation; * Adopted by the Committee at its sixty-eighth session (11 November–6 December 2019). 1 Report due in 1999, received on 7 June 2018. GE.19-22137 (E) 310120 310120 

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