CAT/C/YEM/CO/2 The State party should take the steps necessary to ensure that confessions obtained under torture or duress are inadmissible in court in all cases in line with domestic legislation and the provisions of article 15 of the Convention. The Committee requests the State party to submit information on the application of the provisions prohibiting admissibility of evidence obtained under duress, and whether any officials have been prosecuted and punished for extracting such confessions. 24. Domestic violence 29. The Committee notes the reference in the State report to the adoption of the Protection against Domestic Violence Act No. 6 of 2008 (CAT/C/YEM/2, paras. 132–146), but regrets the very limited information on its content and implementation. The Committee notes with concern that violence against women and children, including domestic violence, remains prevalent in Yemen. It is also concerned that women reportedly experience difficulties in filing complaints and seeking redress with regard to such violence. The Committee is also concerned that article 232 of the Penal Code provides that a man, or any male relative, who kills his wife, or a female member of the family suspected of adultery is not prosecuted with murder but a less serious crime. It also expresses its concern at the lack of data, including statistics on complaints, prosecutions and sentences, relating to homicides committed against women by their husbands or male relatives and to domestic violence (arts. 1, 2, 12 and 16). The State party should strengthen its efforts to prevent, combat and punish violence against women and children, including domestic violence. The State party is encouraged to participate directly in rehabilitation and legal assistance programmes and to conduct broader awareness campaigns for officials (judges, law officers, law enforcement agents and welfare workers) who are in direct contact with victims. The Committee also recommends that the State party establish clear procedures for filing complaints on violence against women, and establish female sections in police stations and prosecutor’s offices to deal with such complaints and investigations. The State party should repeal article 232 of the Penal Code to ensure that homicides committed against women by their husbands or male relatives are prosecuted and punished in the same way as any other murders. The State party should also strengthen its efforts in respect of research and data collection on the extent of domestic violence and homicides committed against women by their husbands or male relatives; it is also requested to provide the Committee with statistical data on complaints, prosecutions and sentences in this respect. 25. Trafficking 30. The Committee expresses its concern at reports of trafficking in women and children for sexual and other exploitative purposes, including reports of trafficking of children out of Yemen, mostly to Saudi Arabia. The Committee is also concerned at the general lack of information on the extent of trafficking in the State party, including the number of complaints, investigations, prosecutions and convictions of perpetrators of trafficking, as well as on the concrete measures taken to prevent and combat such phenomena (arts. 1, 2, 12 and 16). The State party should increase its efforts to prevent and combat trafficking of women and children and cooperate closely with the authorities of Saudi Arabia in respect of cases of combating trafficking in children. The State party should provide protection for victims and ensure their access to medical, social, rehabilitative and legal services, including counselling services, as appropriate. The State party should also create adequate conditions for victims to exercise their right to make complaints, conduct prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of 12 GE.09-46826

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