CAT/C/HRV/CO/4-5 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Distr.: General 18 December 2014 Original: English Committee against Torture Concluding observations on the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Croatia* 1. The Committee against Torture considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic reports of Croatia (CAT/C/HRV/4-5) at its 1266th and 1269th meetings, held on 13 and 14 November 2014 (see CAT/C/SR.1266 and CAT/C/SR.1269), and adopted the following concluding observations at its 1285th meeting, held on 26 November 2014. A. Introduction 2. The Committee expresses its appreciation to the State party for accepting the optional reporting procedure, as this improves the cooperation between the State party and the Committee. It notes, however, that the State party submitted the report, which was due in 2008, only in March 2013. 3. The Committee also appreciates the high-level delegation of the State party, as well as the additional oral and written information provided by the representatives of the State party to questions raised and concerns expressed during the consideration of the report. B. Positive aspects 4. The Committee welcomes the entry into force of, and amendments to, national legislation, including: (a) The Criminal Code, in 2013; (b) The Act on the Ombudsman, in 2011; (c) The Act on National Preventive Mechanisms for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in 2011; (d) The Law on Protection of Persons with Mental Disorders, which will come into force in 2015; (e) The Law on Protection against Domestic Violence in 2003; (f) The amendments to the Asylum Act, in 2013; * Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-third session (3–28 November 2014). GE.14-24639 (E) 

Select target paragraph3