United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/ARG/CO/5-6 Distr.: General 24 May 2017 English Original: Spanish Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Argentina* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Argentina (CAT/C/ARG/5-6) at its 1517th and 1520th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1517 and 1520), held on 26 and 27 April 2017, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 1537th meeting, held on 10 May 2017. A. Introduction 2. The Committee would like to express its appreciation to the State party for agreeing to follow the optional reporting procedure, as this allows for a more focused dialogue between the State party and the Committee. However, the Committee regrets that the review of the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports occurred 13 years after the publication of its previous concluding observations. 3. The Committee appreciates the dialogue held with the State party’s delegation and the additional information provided during the consideration of the report. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party has ratified or acceded to all of the core human rights treaties that have entered into force. 5. The Committee welcomes the following legislative measures taken by the State party in areas related to the Convention: (a) The promulgation in 2012 of Act No. 26842, amending Act No. 26364 of 2008 on prevention and punishment of human trafficking and victim assistance; (b) The adoption in 2012 of Act No. 26827 establishing the National System for the Prevention of Torture and the adoption in 2014 of Decree No. 465/2014 setting forth the implementing regulations for the Act; (c) The promulgation in 2011 of Act No. 26679, which established enforced disappearance as a criminal offence under the Criminal Code, and the promulgation in 2012 of Act No. 26791, which established femicide as a criminal offence; (d) The adoption in 2010 of the National Mental Health Act (Act No. 26657); (e) The adoption in 2009 of Act No. 26485, on comprehensive protection to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women in the settings where they conduct their interpersonal relationships, and the adoption in 2014 of Act No. 27039, establishing a * Adopted by the Committee at its sixtieth session (18 April-12 May 2017). GE.17-08409 (E) 310517 130617 

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