28.
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).
29. The Committee has adopted a new format for these following deliberations 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 reports submitted by States parties is reproduced below.
30. 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.
31. The Committee has decided to revise its reporting guidelines for initial and periodic reports
in order to bring these in line with the guidelines for the common core document
(HRI/MC/2006/3).
32.
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.
B. Positive aspects
(4)
The Committee welcomes the State party’s efforts to reform its legal and institutional system. In particular,
the Committee notes with satisfaction the following positive developments:
(a)
The ratification by the State party, on 20 September 2006, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention
against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“the Convention”);
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