i Arabiaj
CAT/C/SAU/CO/2
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
8 June 2016
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the second periodic report of
Saudi Arabia*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the second periodic report of Saudi
Arabia (CAT/C/SAU/2) at its 1402nd and 1405th meetings (see CAT/C/SR.1402 and
1405), held on 22 and 25 April 2016, and adopted the present concluding observations at its
1423rd meeting, held on 10 May 2016.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the dialogue held with the delegation of the State party
during the examination of the second periodic report, although it regrets that the report was
submitted with a delay of over 10 years.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s accession to the following international
instruments:
(a)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional
Protocol, in 2008;
(b)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
(c)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Child on the
involvement of children in armed conflict.
4.
The Committee also welcomes the following measures taken by the State party,
since the examination of the previous report;
(a)
The invitation to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its
causes and consequences, which resulted in her visit in 2008;
(b)
The adoption of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the establishment of
the Committee on Trafficking in Persons;
* Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-seventh session (18 April-13 May 2016).
GE.16-09276(E)