29. In connection with its consideration of reports, the Committee also had before it: (a) General guidelines regarding the form and contents of initial reports to be submitted by States parties under article 19, paragraph 1, of the Convention (CAT/C/4/Rev.2); (b) General guidelines regarding the form and contents of periodic reports to be submitted by States parties under article 19 of the Convention (CAT/C/14/Rev.1). 30. The Committee has adopted a new format for these as a result of consultations held by the Inter-Committee Meeting and the meeting of Chairpersons of the human rights treaty bodies. The text of conclusions and recommendations adopted by the Committee with respect to the above-mentioned States parties’ reports is reproduced below. 31. The Committee has been issuing lists of issues for periodic reports since 2004. This resulted from a request made to the Committee by representatives of the States parties at a meeting with Committee members. While the Committee understands States parties wish to have advance notice of the issues likely to be discussed during the dialogue, it nonetheless has to point out that the drafting of lists of issues has increased the Committee’s workload substantially. This is particularly significant in a Committee with such a small membership. 32. Burundi (1) The Committee considered the initial report of Burundi (CAT/C/BDI/1) at its 730th and 733rd meetings, held on 9 and 10 November 2006 (CAT/C/SR.730 and 733), and, at its 745th meeting, held on 20 November 2006 (CAT/C/SR.745), adopted the following conclusions and recommendations. A. Introduction (2) The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of Burundi, which is in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines for the preparation of initial reports, but regrets that the report was submitted 13 years late. The Committee notes with satisfaction the frankness with which the State party acknowledges the gaps in its legislation relating to the elimination and prevention of torture. It also appreciates the effort made by the State party to identify the corrective steps needed. The Committee also welcomes the constructive dialogue that was held with the high-level delegation sent by the State party, as well as the replies to the questions raised during the dialogue. B. Positive aspects (3) The Committee welcomes the signing, on 7 September 2006, of the ceasefire between the Government and the National Liberation Forces, which ended the armed conflict that has ravaged Burundi for almost 13 years. (4) The Committee takes note of the statement made by the delegation of the State party concerning the planned revision of the Criminal Code, and its intention to include in the Code provisions criminalizing acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, including violence against women and children. The Committee also welcomes the delegation’s announcement that the Code of Criminal Procedure will be reviewed in 2007. (5) The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Ministry of Solidarity, Human Rights and Gender, the Government Commission on Human Rights and the Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights and the Prevention of Genocide. (6) The Committee takes note of the announcement made by the delegation that the State party plans to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment. 8