- 48 - Saudi Arabia 97. The Committee considered the initial periodic report of Saudi Arabia (CAT/C/42/Add.2) at its 516th, 519th, 521st and 524th meetings, on 8, 10, 13 and 15 May 2002 (CAT/C/SR.516, 519, 521 and 524), and adopted the following conclusions and recommendations. A. Introduction 98. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report, although it regrets the delay in submission and the paucity of information on the practical enjoyment in Saudi Arabia of the rights conferred by the Convention. It generally conforms to the Committee’s reporting guidelines. The Committee also welcomes the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with a large delegation covering many matters arising under the Convention, which was enhanced by the extensive oral report. B. Positive aspects 99. The Committee welcomes the following: (a) The State party’s accession to the Convention against Torture on 23 September 1997, as well as its accession to several other core human rights treaties and its expressed intention to ratify the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. The Committee also welcomes the State party’s declaration that its domestic law, including its components based upon Shariah, is capable of giving full recognition to the rights and obligations contained in the Convention; (b) Legal developments designed to enhance the rule of law and the proper administration of justice that have occurred since the preparation of the report, such as aspects of the newly promulgated Code of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure and Code of Practice for Lawyers. The Committee welcomes, in particular, that the Code of Criminal Procedure guarantees every accused person the right to avail himself or herself of the services of a lawyer at all stages of an investigation and trial; (c) The State party’s expression that its domestic law provides that no exceptional circumstances, including superior orders, may be invoked as a defence to a charge of torture, the reassurance that statements obtained by torture are inadmissible in proceedings, and the oral assurance that confessions are revocable at any point of proceedings. The State party’s reassurance that corporal punishments are not imposed upon minors was noted; (d) The competence of the Board of Grievances to hear allegations of violations of human rights, and that certain medical facilities possess appropriate forensic medical expertise for examination of alleged victims of torture. The Committee welcomes the establishment of a standing commission to investigate accusations concerning the subjection of any person to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment during the arrest, detention and investigation of suspects;