United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CAT/C/VEN/CO/3-4 Distr.: General 12 December 2014 English Original: Spanish Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the combined third and fourth periodic reports of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the combined third and fourth periodic reports of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (CAT/C/VEN/3-4) at its 1256th and 1259th meetings (CAT/C/SR.1256 and 1259), held on 6 and 7 November 2014, and adopted the following concluding observations at its 1274th meeting (CAT/C/SR.1274), held on 19 November 2014. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the combined third and fourth periodic reports of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (CAT/C/VEN/3-4), although it regrets that the document was submitted eight years after it was due. 3. The Committee appreciates the State party’s written replies (CAT/C/VEN/Q/34/Add.1) to the list of issues (CAT/C/VEN/Q/3-4) and the supplementary information provided during the consideration of the combined periodic reports. It also appreciates the dialogue held with the State party’s delegation, although it regrets that some of its questions went unanswered. Positive aspects 4. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party has ratified or acceded to the following international instruments: (a) The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, on 23 September 2003; (b) The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on 24 September 2013. 5. The Committee welcomes the fact that the State party has taken the following legislative measures in areas related to the Convention: * Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-third session (3–28 November 2014). GE.14-24172 (E) 250215 260215 

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