CAT
UNITED
NATIONS
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/USA/CO/2
25 July 2006
Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Thirty-sixth session
1-19 May 2006
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION
Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the second report of the United States of
America (CAT/C/48/Add.3/Rev.1) at its 702nd and 705th meetings (CAT/C/SR.702 and 705),
held on 5 and 8 May 2006, and adopted, at its 720th and 721st meetings, on 17 and 18 May 2006
(CAT/C/SR.720 and 721), the following conclusions and recommendations.
A. Introduction
2.
The second periodic report of the United States of America was due
on 19 November 2001, as requested by the Committee at its twenty-fourth session in
May 2000 (A/55/44, para. 180 (f)) and was received on 6 May 2005. The Committee notes
that the report includes a point-by-point reply to the Committee’s previous recommendations.
3.
The Committee commends the State party for its exhaustive written responses to the
Committee’s list of issues, as well as the detailed responses provided both in writing and orally
to the questions posed by the members during the examination of the report. The Committee
expresses its appreciation for the large and high-level delegation, comprising representatives
from relevant departments of the State party, which facilitated a constructive oral exchange
during the consideration of the report.
4.
The Committee notes that the State party has a federal structure, but recalls that the
United States of America is a single State under international law and has the obligation to
implement the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (“the Convention”) in full at the domestic level.
GE.06-43225 (E) 070806