j
CAT/C/JOR/CO/3
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
29 January 2016
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the third periodic report
of Jordan*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the third periodic report of Jordan
(CAT/C/JOR/3) at its 1374th and 1377th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1374 and 1377), held on
20 and 23 November 2015, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 1390th
meeting, held on 3 December 2015.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the
simplified reporting procedure and submitting its periodic report based on the procedure, as
it improves the cooperation between the State party and the Committee and allows for a
more focused dialogue with the delegation.
3.
The Committee appreciates the opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue
with the State party’s high-level delegation, and the responses provided to the questions
raised during the dialogue.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes the adoption of the following legislative measures taken
by the State party in areas of relevance to the Convention:
(a)
The Juvenile Act No. 32, in 2014;
(b)
The Independence of the Judiciary Act No. 29, in 2014;
(c)
The Constitutional Court Act No. 15, in 2012;
(d)
The increased penalties introduced in the amendment to the Penal Code, in
2011, for crimes of physical and sexual violence such as rape (art. 292), indecent assault
(arts. 296-298), abduction (arts. 302-303) and sexual harassment (arts. 304-307).
5.
The Committee notes the amendments to the Jordanian Constitution in 2011, notably
to article 8 (2), which prohibits torture and deems that statements obtained by torture or use
of harm or threats, invalid.
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-sixth session (9 November-9 December 2015).
GE.16-01258(E)
*1601258*