CAT/C/VAT/CO/1
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
17 June 2014
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the initial report
of the Holy See *
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the initial report of the Holy See
(CAT/C/VAT/1) at its 1220th and 1223rd meetings, held on 5 and 6 May 2014
(CAT/C/SR.1220 and CAT/C/SR.1223), and adopted the following concluding
observations at its 1245th, 1246th and 1247th meetings (CAT/C/SR.1245, CAT/C/SR.1246
and CAT/C/SR.1247) held on 21 and 22 May 2014.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the initial report of the Holy See (CAT/C/VAT/1), which
follows the Committee’s Guidelines on the form and content of initial reports
(CAT/C/4/Rev.3) required under article 19 on the measures they have taken to give effect
to their undertakings under the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment. However, it regrets that the report was submitted nine
years late.
3.
The Committee also appreciates the open and constructive dialogue with the highlevel delegation of the State party and the supplementary information provided during the
examination of the report.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee welcomes the fact that following the ratification of the Convention,
the State party acceded to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, on 25
January 2012.
5.
The Committee also welcomes the State party’s efforts to revise its legislation in
areas of relevance to the Convention, including:
(a)
The issuance motu proprio by Pope Francis of an Apostolic Letter “On the
Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal Matters”, on 11 July
2013. The letter was promulgated and entered into force on 1 September 2013, establishing
the exercise of penal jurisdiction by the Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State over
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-second session (28 April to 23 May 2014).
GE.14-05405 (E)
*1405405*