CAT/C/AZE/CO/3 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 8 December 2009 Original: English Committee against Torture Forty-third session Geneva, 2–20 November 2009 Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 19 of the Convention Concluding observations of the Committee against Torture Azerbaijan 1. The Committee considered the third periodic report of Azerbaijan (CAT/C/AZE/3) at its 907th and 909th meetings (CAT/C/SR.907 and CAT/C/SR.909), held on 9 and 10 November 2009, and adopted, at its 920th meeting, held on 18 November 2009 (CAT/C/SR.920), the concluding observations as set out below. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of Azerbaijan and the written responses to the list of issues (CAT/C/AZE/Q/3) submitted by the State party. 3. The Committee notes with appreciation the extensive dialogue with the high-level delegation sent by the State party and the replies to the questions raised during the dialogue. It welcomes the State party’s constructive attitude towards implementation of its recommendations, as shown by the adoption of numerous legal and policy reforms. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee welcomes the recent legislative and other measures taken by the State party since the consideration of its previous report, namely: (a) Adoption of the Fight against Human Trafficking Law in 2005, the amendment of the Criminal Code (2005) and the creation of a relief fund for victims of human trafficking; (b) Adoption of a presidential order on the Modernization of Judiciary on 19 January 2006 and application of the Amendments, dated 19 January 2006, establishing regional courts of appeal which address legal assistance to individuals, as well as the GE.09-46626 (E) 091209

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