UNITED
NATIONS
CAT
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.
GENERAL
CAT/C/BEN/CO/2
19 February 2008
ENGLISH
Original: FRENCH
COMMITTEE AGAINST TORTURE
Thirty-ninth session
Geneva, 5-23 November 2007
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 19 OF THE CONVENTION
Conclusions and recommendations of the Committee against Torture
BENIN
1.
The Committee against Torture (“the Committee”) considered the second periodic report
of Benin (CAT/C/BEN/2) at its 797th and 800th meetings, held on 15 and 16 November 2007
(CAT/C/SR.797 and 800), and adopted, at its 807th meeting on 22 November 2007
(CAT/C/SR.807), the following conclusions and recommendations.
A. Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the report of Benin, which follows the Committee’s general
guidelines for the preparation of reports, and expresses its appreciation for the opportunity thus
afforded to resume its dialogue with the State party. The Committee regrets, however, that the
report was submitted with an eight-year delay and that the State party did not make the necessary
efforts to implement all the recommendations made by the Committee during the consideration
of the initial report of Benin, in 2001 (A/57/44, paras. 30 to 35).
3.
The Committee commends the frankness of the report, which acknowledges shortcomings
in the State party’s implementation of the Convention. The Committee appreciates the
constructive dialogue established with the high-level delegation sent by the State party and notes
with satisfaction the replies provided to the questions raised during the dialogue. Lastly, the
Committee is gratified that national non-governmental organizations were present during the
consideration of the report.
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