CAT/C/ISR/CO/5
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
3 June 2016
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of
Israel*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the fifth periodic report of Israel
(CAT/C/ISR/5) at its 1416th and 1419th meetings (CAT/C/SR.1416 and 1419), held on 3
and 4 May 2016, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 1428th and 1429th
meetings, held on 12 May 2016.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the
simplified reporting procedure and submitting its fifth periodic report under it, as it
improves the cooperation between the State party and the Committee, and focuses the
examination of the report as well as the dialogue with the delegation.
3.
The Committee appreciates the dialogue with the State party’s delegation and the
responses provided orally and in writing to the questions and concerns raised during the
consideration of the report.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on 28 September 2012.
5.
The Committee also welcomes the legislative and judicial measures taken by the
State party in areas of relevance to the Convention, including:
(a)
The adoption of Amendment No. 14 to the Youth (Trial, Punishment and
Modes of Treatment) Law 5731-1971, in July 2009, which, inter alia, gives precedence to
rehabilitation over punishment for children accused and/or convicted of a crime;
(b)
The Supreme Court ruling in Ad.P 7079/12 The State of Israel v. Asmara
Ahunum Germey (10.12.12), in which it reiterated its previous jurisprudence that the
authority to deport may not be exercised if the deportee’s life or liberty is threatened, and
determined that the authority to deport is subject to the principle of non-refoulement.
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-seventh session (18 April-13 May 2016).
GE.16-08992 (E)