CAT/C/SR.197 and 198 and Add.2), and adopted the following conclusions and
recommendations.
A.
Introduction
87. The Czech Republic transmitted its report within five months of its due
date, which is quite timely. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the
Czech Republic has adopted most of the protections available under the
Convention and has developed its own institutions to give effect to its
obligations under the Convention.
88. The initial report was not accompanied by the core document providing
general information on the State party, as requested in the Committee’s
guidelines, but apart from this, it met all the reporting requirements of the
Convention.
B.
Positive aspects
89. The Committee is pleased to recognize that the Czech Republic has adopted a
definition of torture which is close to that in the Convention and has taken the
steps necessary to ensure that it is a crime in that country.
90. The Committee also notes that in the Czech Republic all the necessary
democratic institutions and safeguards are in place to ensure the implementation
of the Convention.
91. The Committee also takes note of the expeditious and effective way in which
the Czech authorities have dealt with allegations of abuse by police and prison
officers, have set up a system of compensation and rehabilitation and take their
educational responsibilities seriously.
92. The Czech Republic is a good example of a democratic State that has taken
its commitments under the Convention seriously, and this is reflected in its
institutions and practices.
C.
Subjects of concern
93. There are no serious matters currently of concern to the Committee
regarding implementation by the Czech Republic of the Convention.
D.
Conclusions and recommendations
94. Even though the Czech Republic has not declared in favour of articles 21
and 22 and maintains its reservation on article 20 of the Convention, the Czech
delegation explained that this was due to the weight of business in the
legislative and executive fields and in no way reflects a lack of political will
to remedy the situation. The Committee is confident that the Czech Republic
will move to reform its situation in this regard and looks forward to its second
periodic report.
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