Australia15
22 March 2002
(Signed) Alexander John Gosse Downer,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia
Austria16
19 May 1971
(Signed) Franz Jonas
The Federal President
Barbados17
1 August 1980
( Signed ) H.deB. Forde
Minister of External Affairs”
Belgium18,19
17 June 1958
(Signed) V. Larock
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Botswana20
16 March 1970
(Signed) Seretse M. Khama
President"
Bulgaria21,22
2 December 2015
Cambodia23
19 September 1957
( Signed ) Sim Var
Cameroon24
3 March 1994
( Signed ) Ferdinand Léopold OYONO
Minister for Foreign Affairs"
Canada25,26
28 August 2023
Colombia5
5 December 2001
(Signed) GUILLERMO FERNÁNDEZ DE SOTO
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Costa Rica27
20 February 1973
(Signed) Gonzalo J. Facio
Côte d'Ivoire
29 August 2001
(Signed) Sangaré Abou Drahamane
Minister of State
Cyprus28
3 September 2002
(Signed) Ioannis Kasoulides
Nicosia, 3rd September, 2002
Democratic Republic of the Congo12
8 February 1989
(Signed) Bagbeni Adeito Nzengeya
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zaire
to the United Nations
Denmark29
10 December 1956
(Signed) Karl I. Eskelund Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Djibouti30
2 September 2005
Djibouti, 18 July 2005(Signed)
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Dominica31
24 March 2006
(Signed)
The Honourable Ian Douglas
Attorney General of the Commonwealth
of Dominica and Minister for Legal Affairs
The Honourable Charles Savarin
Minister for Foreign Affairs of
the Commonwealth of Domininca”
Egypt32,33
22 July 1957
( Signed ) Mahmoud Fawzi"
Equatorial Guinea
21 August 2017
New York, 25 August 2017
(signed)
Anatolio Ndong Mba
Ambassador
Permanent Representative
Malabo, 11 August 2017
Agapito MBA MOKUY
Estonia34
21 October 1991
10 October 1991
(Signed) A. Rüütel
Eswatini35
26 May 1969
(Signed) Makhosini Jameson Dlamini
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs"
Finland36
21 June 1958
New York, 25 June 1958
(Signed) G. A. Gripenberg
Permanent Representative of Finland
Gambia37
22 June 1966
14th June, 1966
(Signed) A.B. N'jie
Minister of State for External Affairs"
Georgia38
20 June 1995
(Signed) Alexander Chikvaidze
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Georgia
Germany10
30 April 2008
Frank-Walter Steinmeier"
Greece39,40
14 January 2015
Athens, 13 January 2015
(Signed) Evangelos Venizelos”
Guinea41
4 December 1998
(Signed) LAMINE KAMARA
Guinea-Bissau42
7 August 1989
(Signed) Raul A. de Melo Cabral
Chargé d'affaires a.i.
Honduras43
6 June 1986
(Signed) José Azcona H.
President of the Republic
(Signed) Carlos López Contreras
Secretary of the State for Foreign Affairs
Hungary44
22 October 1992
(Signed) Géza Jeszenszky
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary"
India45,46
27 September 2019
(Dr. S. Jaishankar)
Minister of External Affairs
New Delhi, 18 September 2019”
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
26 June 2023
Ireland
15 December 2011
(Signed) Eamon Gilmore, T.D.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland
Italy
25 November 2014
(Signed) Federica Mogherini
Japan47
6 October 2015
(signed) Motohide Yoshikawa
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Latvia
24 September 2019
Edgars Rinkēvičs
Lesotho48
6 September 2000
(Signed) Motsoahae Thomas Thabane
Minister of Foreign Affairs”
Liberia49
20 March 1952
"Done at Monrovia this 3rd day of March 1952.
(Signed) Gabriel L. Dennis
Secretary of State"
Liechtenstein50,51
29 March 1950
(Signed) A. Frick
The Head of the Government
Lithuania
Done at Vilnius, 21 September 2012
Dalia GRYBAUSKAITÉ
President of the Republic of Lithuania
Audronius AŽUBALIS
of the Republic of Lithuania
Madagascar52
2 July 1992
Done at Antananarivo on 12 May 1992.
(Signed) Césaire Rabenoro
Malawi53
12 December 1966
(Signed) H. Kamuzu Banda
President and Minister for External Affairs"
Malta54
6 December 1966
(Signed) G. Felice
Minister ad interim
2 September 1983
(Signed) Alex Sceberras Trigona
Marshall Islands
24 April 2013
(Signed) The Honorable Tony A. deBrum
Minister in Assistance to the President and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs”
Mauritius55
23 September 1968
(Signed) S. Ramgoolam
Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs"
Mexico56
28 October 1947
(Signed) Jaime Torres Bodet
Secretary of State for External Relations
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)57
27 February 2017
New Zealand58
22 September 1977
(Signed) M.J.C. Templeton
Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations"
Nicaragua59
[For the declaration made by Nicaragua , see “ Declarations made under Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice. which are deemed to be acceptances of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice ” in section b).24 October 2001 “I have the honour to inform you and, through you, all the States parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat of the Court, of the reservation made to Nicaragua’s voluntary acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice by Presidential Decision No. 335-2001 of 22 October 2001, issued by the President of the Republic, Mr. Arnoldo Alemán Lacayo, the text of which is as follows: ‘Nicaragua will not accept the jurisdiction or competence of the International Court of Justice in relation to any matter or claim based on interpretations of treaties or arbitral awards that were signed and ratified or made, respectively, prior to 31 December 1901.’ Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.(Signed) Francisco X. Aguirre Sacasa”9 January 2002Objection to the reservation made by Nicaragua: On 9 January 2002, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Costa Rica a communication transmitting the formal objection to the reservation formulated by the Government of Nicaragua.[See note 1 under “Costa Rica” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.}
24 October 2001
(Signed) Francisco X. Aguirre Sacasa”
9 January 2002
Objection to the reservation made by Nicaragua: On 9 January 2002, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Costa Rica a communication transmitting the formal objection to the reservation formulated by the Government of Nicaragua.[See note 1 under “Costa Rica” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.}
Nigeria60
30 April 1998
Done at Abuja, this 29th day of April 1998
(Signed) Chief Tom Ikimi
Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs
Federal Republic of Nigeria"
Norway61
24 June 1996
It is requested that this notification be communicated to the governments of all the States that have accepted the Optional Clause and to the Registrar of the International Court of Justice"
(Signed) Hans Jacob Biorn Lian
Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations
Pakistan62
29 March 2017
Paraguay63
25 September 1996
(Signed) Rubén MELGAREJO LANZONI
(Signed) Juan Carlos WASMOSY
President
Peru64
7 July 2003
(Signed) Allan Wagner Tizón
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru
Philippines65
18 January 1972
(Signed) Carlos Pi Romulo Secretary of Foreign Affairs"
Poland66
25 March 1996
(Signed) Dariusz ROSATI
Portugal14,21
25 February 2005
António Víctor Martins Monteiro
(Minister for Foreign Afairs)
Romania
23 June 2015
(Signed) Bogdan Aurescu
Senegal67
2 December 1985
(Signed) Ibrahim FALL
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal"
Slovakia68
28 May 2004
Rudolf Schuster
President of the Slovak Republic"
Somalia69
11 April 1963
(Signed) Abdullahi Issa
Spain70
29 October 1990
(Signed) Francisco Fernandez Ordoñez
Sudan71
2 January 1958
(Signed) Yacoub Osman
Permanent Representative of the Sudan
to the United Nations"
Suriname72
31 August 1987
(Signed) W. H. Werner Vreedzaam
Chargé d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of
the Republic of Suriname to the United Nations"
Sweden73
6 April 1957
(Signed) Claes Carbonnier
Permanent Representative a.i .
of Sweden to the United Nations
Switzerland74,75
28 July 1948
(Signed) Celio
The President of the Confederation
(Signed) Leimgruber
The Chancellor of the Confederation
Timor-Leste
Declaration Recognizing the Jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice as CompulsoryDili, 21 September 2012 On behalf of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, I have the honour to declare that the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste accepts as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in conformity with Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the Court, until such time as notice may be given to terminate this acceptance. This declaration is effective immediately. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste reserves the right at any time, by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, either to amend the present declaration or to amend or withdraw an[y] reservation that may hereafter be added.(Signed) Kay Rala Zanana GusmãoPrime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste”
Dili, 21 September 2012
(Signed) Kay Rala Zanana Gusmão
Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste”
Togo76
25 October 1979
(Signed) Akanyi-Awunyo Kodjovi
Uganda77
3 October 1963
(Signed) Apollo K. Kironde
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
of Uganda to the United Nations"
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland78
22 February 2017
30.X.37
(Signed) J. M. Yepes
Legal Adviser of the Permanent Delegation
of Colombia to the League of Nations
Dominican Republic
30.IX.24
Jacinto R. de Castro
Haiti
4.X.21
(Signed) F. Addor
Consul
Luxembourg79
15.IX.30
(Signed) Bech
Nicaragua80
24.IX.29
Geneva, 24 September 1929
(Signed) T. F. Medina
Panama81
25.X.21
(Signed) Ri A. Amador
Chargé d'Affaires
Uruguay82,83
Prior to 28.I.21
(Signed) B. Fernandez Y. Medina
A declaration recognizing as compulsory the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice had been deposited on 26 October 1946 with the Secretary-General on behalf of the Republic of China (registered under No. 5. For the text of that declaration, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1, p. 35). In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 5 December 1972, the Government of the People’s Republic of China indicated that it does not recognize the statement made by the defunct Chinese government on 26 October 1946 in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice concerning the acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court.
In its resolution 47/1 of 22 September 1992, the General Assembly, acting upon the recommendation of the Security Council in its resolution 777 (1992) of 19 September 1992, considered that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, today Serbia (see note 2 under "Yugoslavia", note 1 under "Serbia and Montenegro" and note 1 under "Serbia" in the Historical Information Section), could not continue automatically the membership of the former Yugoslavia in the United Nations, and decided that it should accordingly apply for membership in the Organization. The Legal Counsel, however, took the view at that time that this resolution of the General Assembly neither terminated or suspended the membership of the former Yugoslavia in the United Nations, and that the Secretary-General, as depositary, was not in a position either to reject or to disregard the claim of Serbia that it continued the legal personality of the former Yugoslavia (see document A/47/485). For more information in this regard, see note 1 under "former Yugoslavia" in the Historical Information Section (click on the tab "Status of Treaties" and then on "Historical Information").
Against this background, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, by its note of 25 April 1999, submitted a declaration recognizing as compulsory the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, in accordance with Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, which was deposited with the Secretary-General on 26 April 1999. Article 36, paragraph 2 limits such declarations to the parties to the Statute. Parties to the Statute include all members of the United Nations, pursuant to Article 93(1) of the United Nations Charter.
The text of the declaration reads as follows:
26 April 1999
I hereby declare that the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia recognizes, in accordance with Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to anyother State accepting the same obligation, that is on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the said Court in all disputes arising or which may arise after the signature of the present Declaration, with regard to the situations or facts subsequent to this signature except in cases where the parties have agreed or shall agree to have recourse to another procedure or to another method of pacific settlement. The present Declaration does not apply to disputes relating to questions which, under international law, fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well as to territorial disputes.
The aforesaid obligation is accepted until such time as notice may be given to terminate the acceptance.
(Signed) Vladislav Jovanovic
Chargé d'affaires a.i. of
the Permanent Mission of
Yugoslavia to the United Nations
New York, 25 April 1999
Following the admission of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to the United Nations on 1 November 2000, pursuant to General Assembly resolution A/55/528, a review was undertaken of the multilateral treaties deposited with the Secretary-General, in relation to many of which the former Yugoslavia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had undertaken a range of treaty actions. With respect to the status of the declaration by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia recognizing as compulsory the jurisdiction of the Court, which was deposited on 26 April 1999, the depositary decided to await the outcome of matters which were then pending before the Court.
In a letter dated 31 January 2007, the Registrar of the Court notified the depositary that in its Judgment of 15 December 2004 the Court concluded that Serbia and Montenegro was not a member of the United Nations and therefore was not a party to the Statute of the Court at the time that it filed its application to institute the proceedings before the Court on 29 April 1999. In the light of the above-mentioned letter from the Registrar of the Court clarifying the status of Serbia with respect to the Statute, and after confirmation from Serbia on 13 May 2008, that it did not recognize the declaration of 26 April 1999 made by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the name of Serbia was removed from the list of States which have made declarations under Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Statute.
See note 1 under "Serbia" in the Historical Information section (click on the tab "Status of Treaties" and then on "Historical Information").
In a notification received by the Secretary-General on 21 November 1985, the Government of Israel gave notice of the termination of the declaration of 17 October l956. For the text of the declaration see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 252, p. 301. The declaration of 17 October 1956 replaced that of 4 September 1950, which was published in the United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 108, p. 239. An amending declaration was received on 28 February 1984 and registered on that date under No. 3571. See United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1349, p. 326.
The notification of termination of the declaration of 17 October 1956 received from the Government of Israel on 21 November 1985 (dated 19 November 1985), reads as follows:
"On behalf of the Government of Israel, I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Israel has decided to terminate, with effect as of today, its declaration of 17 October 1956 as amended, concerning the acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice."
Benjamin Netanyahu
In a notification received by the Secretary-General on 10 January 1974, the Government of France gave notice of the termination of the declaration of 20 May 1966 (registered under No. 8196). For the text of that declaration and for the notice of termination, see United Nations, Treaty Serie s, vol. 562, p. 71 and vol. 907, p. 129, respectively. For the text of the declaration made on 10 July 1959 (registered under No. 4816), see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 337, p. 65. For the text of the declaration made on 18 February 1947 (registered under No. 378), see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 26, p. 91.
On 30 October 1937, the Government of Colombia deposited an instrument of ratification. Ratification was not required under the terms of the Optional Clause, the act of signature itself sufficing to make the undertaking binding except where the declaration had been made expressly subject to ratification. Nevertheless, certain States, which had signed without any such reservation, subsequently ratified their declaration. The declaration of 5 December 2001 was registered under No. 37819, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2166, p. 3.
Registered under No. 36941; see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2121, p. 193. In this regard, the Secretary-General received on 28 May 1999, the following communication from the Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: "[The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] should like to refer to [...] the Declaration under Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice made by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) on 25 April 1999. [The Declaration] states that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) lodged the [declaration] by which it recognised the jurisdiction ipso facto , of the said Court in accordance with Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the Court. [The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] would like to express [their] disagreement with the content of the above-quoted [Declaration]. The [Declaration] can have no legal effect whatsoever, because the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) is not a State Member of the United Nations, nor is it a State Party to the Statute of the Court, that could make a valid declaration under Article 36, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the Court. Consequently, there was no legal basis for acceptance or circulation of the invalid document in question. In this connection, [The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Government of the Republicof Slovenia and the Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] would once again like to draw the attention to the Security Council’s resolution 777 (1992) and the General Assembly’s resolution 47/1 (1992) . Both of these resolutions explicitly stated that the state known as the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had ceased to exist and that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) could not automatically continue the membership of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the United Nations and that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) should apply for membership in the United Nations. Until the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) has complied with the requirements of those resolutions, it could not be considered as a State Member of the United Nations. Since a new application for membership in the United Nations, pursuant to Article 4 of the Charter, has not been made by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) to date, and it has not been admitted to the United Nations, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia therefore cannot be considered to be ipso facto a party to the Statute of the Court by virtue of Article 93, paragraph 1 of the Charter of the United Nations. Neither has the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) become a Contracting party of the Statute of the Court under Article 93, paragraph 2, which states that a non-member State can only become a Contracting Party of the International Court of Justice’s Statute under conditions set by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council on a case by case basis. Furthermore, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) has not accepted the jurisdiction of the Court under the conditions provided for in Security Council Resolution 9 of 15 October 1946, and adopted by the Security Council by virtue of powers conferred on it by Article 35, paragraph 3, of the Statute of the Court. The reference to "Yugoslavia (Original member)" in the list of States Members of the United Nations entitled to appear before the Court pursuant to Article 35, para 1, of the Statute of the Court and Article 93, paragraph 1, of the United Nations Charter (I.C.J. Yearbook 1996-1997) refers to the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) and not to one of its successor States. By using the abbreviated name "Yugoslavia" the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) deliberately manipulates the situation and tries to create an erroneous assumption that the State party to the Statute, namely Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, is the same as one of the five successor States, namely the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), only. Because the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), which made the declaration under Article 32, paragraph 2 of the Statute of the Court is not the same legal entity under international law as a State which was the original Party to the Statute of the Court, namely, Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, it is the opinion of our Governments that the notification is null and void." See also note 1 under "Bosnia and Herzegovina", "Croatia", "former Yugoslavia", "Slovenia", "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and "Yugoslavia" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.
In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 12 April 1967, the Government of South Africa gave notice of withdrawal and termination, with effect from that date, of the declaration of 12 September 1955 (registered under No. 2935). For the text of the said declaration, which was deposited with the Secretary-General on 13 September 1955, and for the notice of termination, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 216, p. 115, and vol. 595, p. 363, respectively.
The declarations recognizing as compulsory the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice deposited with the Secretary-General by the Governments of Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nauru, Thailand and Turkey were made for specified periods of time which have since expired. For the text of those declarations, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 16, p. 207 (Bolivia, registered under No. 261); vol. 15, p. 221 (Brazil, registered under No. 237); vol. 899, p. 99 (El Salvador, registered under No. 12837. Subsequently, a declaration was received on 3 July 1974 from the Government of Honduras objecting to the declaration made by El Salvador and, on 9 September 1974, a second declaration was received from the Government of El Salvador, both registered under No. 12837 and published in vols. 942 and 948, respectively. The Government of El Salvador, by notification received on 27 November 1978, extended its acceptance of the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice for a period of 10 years as from 26 November 1978 with the following declaration: El Salvador still reserves the right at any time to modify, add to, explain or derogate from the exceptions under which it accepted such jurisdiction. The declaration (See, C.N.303.1978.TREATIES-1 of 22 December 1978) was registered on 27 November 1978 under No. 12837 and published in vol. 1119, p. 382. For El Salvador's declaration recognizing the compulsory jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of International Justice, see Yearbook of the International Court of Justice 1972-1973, p. 39); vol. 1, p. 49 (Guatemala, registered under No. 12); vol. 1491, p. 199 (Nauru, registered under No. 25640, renewed and extended for a period of five years as from 29 January 1993); vol. 65, p. 157 (Thailand, registered under No. 844), and vol. 4, p. 265 (Turkey, registered under No. 50) and vol. 191, p. 357, vol. 308, p. 301, vol. 491, p. 385, and vol. 604, p. 349 (Turkey, renewals).
Registered under No. 3; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1, p. 9. A declaration of 6 April 1984 was made by the United States of America modifying the said declaration and was registered on that date under No. 3. For the text of the declaration as modified, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1354, p. 452. Subsequently, In a notification received by the Secretary-General on 7 October 1985, the Government of the United States of America gave notice of the termination of its declaration of 26 August 1946, which was registered on 7 October and published in vol. 1408, p. 270.
Registered on 1 May 2008 under No. 44914; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2515, p. 255.
State having made a declaration under Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice.
Registered under No. 26437; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1523, p.299
On 24 September 2021, the Government of Kenya notified the Secretary-General of the withdrawal of its declaration under article 36 (2) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice circulated in CN.51.1965.TREATIES-1 of 10 May 1965 and registered under No. 7697 (see United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 531, p. 113). See CN.281.2021.TREATIES-I.4 of 28 September 2021 for the notification.
See note 3 under “China” and note 1 under “Portugal” regarding Macao in the “Historical Information” section (click on the tab "Depositary" and then on "Historical Information").
Registered under No. 38245, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2175, p. 493. This declaration replaces that of 17 March 1975 registered under No. 13809, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 961, p. 183. For the declaration of 6 February 1954 registered under No. 2484, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 186, p. 77.
Registered under No. 11092; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 778, p. 301.
Registered under No. 19017; see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1197, p. 7.
The instrument of ratification was deposited on 17 June 1958. See C.N.101.1958.TREATIES-2
Registered under No. 4364; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 302, p. 251. The previous declaration, registered under No. 260 and valid for a period of five years, was deposited by Belgium on 13 July 1948: see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 16, p. 203.
Registered under No. 10359; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 721, p. 121.
Registered on 25 February 2005. This declaration replaces a previous declaration dated 19 December 1955 and registered under No. 3079; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 224, p. 275.
The declaration received by the Secretary-General on 2 December 2015 amends the declaration received on 24 June 1992 which reads as follow:
24 June 1992
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, I have the honour to declare that in conformity with Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the International Court of Justice the Republic of Bulgaria recognizes as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the Court in all legal disputes arising out of facts and situations subsequent to or continuing to exist after the entry into force of the present Declaration, concerning:
1. the interpretation of a treaty;
2. any question of international law;
3. the existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an international obligation;
4. the nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an international obligation,
except for disputes with any State which has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice under Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute less than twelve months prior to filing an application bringing the dispute before the Court or where such acceptance has been made only for the purpose of a particular dispute.
The Republic of Bulgaria also reserves the right at any time to modify the present Declaration, the modifications taking effect six months after the deposit of the notification thereof.
The present Declaration shall be in force for a period of five years from the date of its deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It shall continue in force thereafter until six months after a notice of its denunciation is given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Sofia, 26 May 1992
( Signed ) S. Ganev
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
Registered under No. 3998, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 277, p. 77; Registered under No. 1844, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 137, p. 11.
Registered under No. 30793; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1770, p. 27.
Registered under No. 30941; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1776, p. 9. This declaration replaces the declaration made on 10 September 1985, registered under No. 23508; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1406, p. 133 which replaced the declaration made on 7 April 1970, registered under No. 10415; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 724, p. 63. For the original declaration made on 20 September 1919; see Yearbook of the International Court of Justice 1968-1969 , p. 46.
The declaration received by the Secretary-General on 28 August 2023 revokes and replaces the declaration made by Canada on 10 May 1994 which was circulated in C.N.158.1994.TREATIES-3 of 24 June 1994.
Registered under No. 12294: see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 857, p. 107.
Registered under No. 38851, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2195, p. 3. This declaration replaces that one made on 29 April 1988, registered under No. 25909 and published in United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1502, p. 337 and which was terminated with effect on 3 September 2002.
Registered under No. 3646; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 257, p. 35. This declaration replaces that of 10 December 1946; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. l, p. 45.
Registered under No. 41783; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2332, p. 3.
Registered under No. 42528; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2363, p. 325.
A declaration (with letter of transmittal to the Secretary-General of the United Nations) on the Suez Canal and the arrangements for its operation dated of 24 April 1957 was registered under No. 3821; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 265, p. 299.
Registered under No. 3940; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 272, p. 225.
Registered under No. 28436; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1653, p. 59.
Registered under No. 9589; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 673, p. 155.
Registered under No. 4376; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 303, p. 137.
Registered under No. 8232; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 565, p. 21.
Registered under No. 31938; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1870.
Registered under No. 30624; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1761, p. 99.
This declaration received by the Secretary-General on 14 January 2015 amends the declaration of 10 January 1994 which reads as follows:
10 January 1994
I declare, on behalf of the Greek Government, that I recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, on condition of reciprocity, in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in all legal disputes referred to in Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the Court. However, the Greek Government excludes from the competence of the Court any dispute relating to defensive military action taken by the Hellenic Republic for reasons of national defence.
This declaration shall remain in force for a period of five years. Upon the expiry of that period, it shall continue to have effect until notice of its termination is given.
Athens, 20 December 1993
(Signed) Karolos PAPOULIAS
Registered under No. 36940; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2121, p. 189.
Registered under No. 26756; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1543, p.39.
Registered under No. 24126, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1427, p. 335. This declaration replaces that one made on 20 February 1960, received by the Secretary-General on 10 March 1960 and registered under No. 236; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 353, p. 309. For the declaration of 2 February 1948 and subsequent renewal of 19 April 1954, also registered under No. 236, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 15, p. 217, and vol. 190, p. 377.
Registered under No. 29191; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1692, p. 477.
Registered under No. 13546; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 950, p. 15. The declaration of 14 September 1959, deposited with the Secretary-General on the same date, registered under Number 4871 and superseded by the declaration reproduced herein, is reproduced in United Nations Treaty Series , vol. 340, p. 289. A declaration of 7 January 1956, registered under Number 3116, is reproduced in United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 226, p. 235.
The declaration received by the Secretary-General on 27 September 2019 revokes and replaces the previous declaration made by India on 18 September 1974 which was circulated in C.N.257.1974.TREATIES-4 of 10 October 1974.
On 9 July 2007, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Japan a notification of termination of its declaration of 15 September 1958 which was registered under No. 4517; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 312, p. 155; see also note 2 in chapter I.3.
On 6 October 2015, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Japan a declaration that replaces the declaration of 9 July 2007 which read as follows:
9 July 2007
"I have the honour, by direction of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, to declare on behalf of the Government of Japan that, in conformity with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, Japan recognizes as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation and on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, over all disputes arising on and after 15 September 1958 with regard to situations or facts subsequent to the same date and being not settled by other means of peaceful settlement.
This declaration does not apply to disputes which the parties thereto have agreed or shall agree to refer for final and binding decision to arbitration or judicial settlement.
This declaration does not apply to any dispute in respect of which any other party to the dispute has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice only in relation to or for the purpose of the dispute; or where the acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction on behalf of any other party to the dispute was deposited or ratified less than twelve months prior to the filing of the application bringing the dispute before the Court.
This declaration shall remain in force for a period of five years and thereafter until it may be terminated by a written notice."
New York, 9 July 2007
(Signed) Kenzo Oshima
Registered under No. 36911; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2120, p. 467.
Registered under No. 2145; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 163, p. 117.
Liechtenstein became a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice on 29 March 1950; see also note I in chapter I.3.
Registered under No. 759; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 51, p. 119.
Registered under 29011; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1679, p. 57.
Registered under No. 8438; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 581, p. 135.
The declaration of 2 September 1983 completes that one made on 6 December 1966 (registered under No. 8423 and published in United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 580, p. 205) and replaces that one communicated on 23 January 1981 (also registered under No. 8423 and published in United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1211, p. 34). A declaration of 22 November 1966 was registered on 12 December 1966 under Number 8438.
Registered under No. 9251; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 646, p. 171.
Registered under No. 127; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 9, p. 97.
The declaration received by the Secretary-General on 27 February 2017 amends the declaration made on 1 August 1956 which read as follows:
1 August 1956
I hereby declare that the Government of the Kingdom of The Netherlands recognizes, in accordance with Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, with effect from 6 August 1956, as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation, that is on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the said Court in all disputes arising or which may arise after 5 August 1921, with the exception of disputes in respect of which the parties, excluding the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, may have agreed to have recourse to some other method of pacific settlement.
The aforesaid obligation is accepted for a period of five years and will be renewed by tacit agreement for additional periods of five years, unless notice is given, not less than six months before the expiry of any such period, that the Government of the Kingdom of The Netherlands does not wish to renew it.
The acceptance of the jurisdiction of the Court founded on the declaration of 5 August 1946 is terminated with effect from 6 August 1956.
New York, l August 1956
(Signed) E. L. C. Schiff
Acting Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations
Registered under No. 15931; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1055, p. 323. This declaration replaces the one of 8 April 1940, made under Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice. For the text of that declaration, as well as the text of the notice of termination given on 30 March 1940 in respect of a previous declaration of 19 September 1929, see League of Nations, Treaty Series , vol. CC, pp. 490 and 491. For the text of the declaration of 19 September 1929, see ibid. , vol. LXXXVIII, p. 277. For the text of a reservation formulated on 7 September 1939 in respect of the declaration of 19 September 1929, see Permanent Court of International Justice, Series E, No. 16, p. 342.
Registered under No. 37788, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2163, p. 73.
The declaration deposited on 30 April 1998 (and registered on the same day under No. 34544; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2013, p. 507) amends the declaration deposited on 3 September 1965 (registered under No. 7913; see United Nations Treaty Series , vol. 544, p. 113). In a communication received on 1 December 1998, the Government of Nigeria notified the Secretary-General of an error in its declaration of 30 April 1998 and requested that the word "only" appear after the words "the Court" and before the words "in relation to" in line 2 of paragrapah (iv).
Registered under No. 32901; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1928, p. 85. This declaration amends the one made on 2 April 1976 and registered under No. 15035; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1024, p. 195. For the declaration of 19 December 1956 registered under No. 3642, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 256, p. 315.
The declaration received by the Secretary-General on 29 March 2017 amends the declaration made on 12 September 1960 which read as follows:
"I have the honour, by direction of the President of Pakistan, to make the following declaration on behalf of the Government of Pakistan under Article 36, paragraph 2, of the Statute of the International Court of Justice:
The Government of Pakistan recognize as compulsory ipso facto and without special agreement in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in all legal disputes after the 24th June, 1948, arising, concerning:
(a) The interpretation of a treaty;
(b) Any question of international law;
(c) The existence of any fact which, if established, would constitute a breach of an international obligation;
(d) The nature or extent of the reparation to be made for the breach of an international obligation;
Provided, that the declaration shall not apply to:
(a) Disputes the solution of which the parties shall entrust to other tribunals by virtue of agreements already in existence or which may be concluded in the future; or
(b) Disputes relating to questions which by international law fall exclusively within the domestic jurisdiction of Pakistan;
(c) Disputes arising under a multilateral treaty unless
(i) All parties to the treaty affected by the decision are also parties to the case before the Court, or
(ii) The Government of Pakistan specially agree to jurisdiction; and
provided further, that this Declaration shall remain in force till such time as notice may be given to terminate it.
Pakistan Mission to the United Nations
New York, September 12th, 1960
(Signed) Said Hasan
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations"
Registered under No. 5332; see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 374, p. 127. The preceding declaration replaced that of 23 May 1957 (registered under Number 3875), in respect of which the Government of Pakistan gave notice of termination on 13 September 1960; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 269, p. 77, and vol. 374, p. 382. For the declaration of 22 June 1948 and the notice of its termination, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 16, p. 197, and vol. 257, p. 360.
Registered under No. 33154, see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1935, p. 305.
Registered under number 39480; see United Nations, T reaty Series , vol. 2219, p. 303.
Registered under No. 11523; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 808, p. 3. This declaration replaces that of 21 August 1947, in respect of which a notice of withdrawal was given on 23 December 1971; for the text of that declaration see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 7, p. 229.
Registered under No. 32728, see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1918, p. 41.This declaration replaces a previous declaration which was received on 25 September 1990 and registered under No. 27566; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1579.
Registered under No. 23644; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1412, p. 155. This declaration replaces a previous declaration which was received on 3 May 1985 and registered on that date under No. 23354, and published in United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1397, p. 639, and which was identical in essence to the new declaration received on 2 December 1985, except that this last declaration applies only to disputes born subsequently to the said declaration.
Registered under No. 40363; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2265, p. 147.
Registered under No. 6597; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 458, p. 43.
Registered under No. 27600; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1581, p.167.
Registered under No. 4139; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 284, p. 215.
Registered under No. 25246; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1480, p. 211.
Registered under No. 3794; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 264, p. 221. This declaration replaces that of 5 April 1947 registered under Number 16, which was made for a period of ten years; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 2, p. 3.
Registered under No. 272; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 17, p. 115.
Switzerland became a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice on 28 July 1948; upon the recommendation of the Security Council, adopted on 15 November 1946, the General Assembly by resolution 91 (I) adopted on 11 December 1946, and in pursuance of Article 93, paragraph 2, of the Charter, determined the conditions upon which Switzerland could become a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice. On 28 July 1948, a declaration accepting these conditions was deposited with the Secretary-General on behalf of Switzerland (registered under No. 271, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 17, p. 111) and accordingly on that date Switzerland became a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice.
Registered under No. 18020; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 1147, p. 189.
Registered under No. 6946; see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 479, p. 35.
The declaration received by the Secretary-General on 22 February 2017 amends the declaration received on 31 December 2014 which read as follows:
1. The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accept as compulsory ipso facto and without special convention, on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, in conformity with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the Court, until such time as notice may be given to terminate the acceptance, over all disputes arising after 1 January 1984, with regard to situations or facts subsequent to the same date, other than:
(i) any dispute which the United Kingdom has agreed with the other Party or Parties thereto to settle by some other method of peaceful settlement;
(ii) any dispute with the government of any other country which is or has been a Member of the Commonwealth;
(iii) any dispute in respect of which any other Party to the dispute has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice only in relation to or for the purpose of the dispute; or where the acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction on behalf of any other Party to the dispute was deposited or ratified less than twelve months prior to the filing of the application bringing the dispute before the Court;
(iv) any dispute which is substantially the same as a dispute previously submitted to the Court by the same or another Party.
2. The Government of the United Kingdom also reserves the right at any time, by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and with effect as from the moment of such notification, either to add to, amend or withdraw any of the foregoing reservations, oranythat may hereafter be added.
This declaration received by the Secretary-General on 31 December 2014 amends the declaration of 5 July 2004 which reads as follows:
"1. The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accept as compulsory ipso facto and without special convention, on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, in conformity with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the Court, until such time as notice may be given to terminate the acceptance, over all disputes arising after 1 January 1974, with regard to situations or facts subsequent to the same date, other than:
(iii) any dispute in respect of which any other Party to the dispute has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice only in relation to or for the purpose of the dispute; or where the acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction on behalf of any other Party to the dispute was deposited or ratified less than twelve months prior to the filing of the application bringing the dispute before the Court.
2. The Government of the United Kingdom also reserve the right at any time, by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and with effect as from the moment of such notification, either to add to, amend or withdraw any of the foregoing reservations, or any that may hereafter be added."
(Signed) Emyr Jones Parry
Registered on 5 July 2004. This declaration amends the declaration of 1 January 1969 registered underNo. 9370 (see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 654, p. 335) which reads as follows:
"I have the honour, by direction of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to declare on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that they accept as compulsory ipso facto and without special convention, on condition of reciprocity, the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, in conformity with paragraph 2 of Article 36 of the Statute of the Court, until such time as notice may be given to terminate the acceptance, over all disputes arising after the 24th of October 1945, with regard to situations or facts subsequent to the same date, other than:
(i) any dispute which the United Kingdom
(a) has agreed with the other Party or Parties thereto to settle by some other method of peaceful settlement; or
(b) has already submitted to arbitration by agreement with any State which had not at the time of submission accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.
(ii) disputes with the Government of any other country which is a Member of the Commonwealth with regard to situations or facts existing before the 1st of January, 1969.
(iii) disputes in respect of which any other Party to the dispute has accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice only in relation to or for the purpose of the dispute; or where the acceptance of the Court's compulsory jurisdiction on behalf of any other Party to the dispute was deposited or ratified less than twelve months prior to the filing of the application bringing the dispute before the Court.
2. The Government of the United Kingdom also reserve the right at any time, by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and with effects from the moment of such notification, either to add to, amend or withdraw any of the foregoing reservations, or any that may hereafter be added.
United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations.
New York, 1 January 1969
(Signed) L. C. Glass"
The preceding declaration replaces that of 27 November 1963, registered under No. 6995, in respect of which notice of withdrawal was given on 1 January 1969; for the text of that declaration, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 482, p. 187. For declarations preceding that of 27 November 1963, registered under Nos. 2849, 2973, 3814 and 4577, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 211, p. 109; vol. 219, p. 179; vol. 265, p. 221, and vol. 316, p 59, respectively.
The Government of Luxembourg had in 1921 signed the Optional Clause subject to ratification. That declaration was, however, never ratified.
According to a telegram dated 29 November 1939, addressed to the League of Nations, Nicaragua had ratified the Protocol of Signature of the Statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice (16 December 1920), and the instrument of ratification was to follow. It does not appear, however, that the instrument of ratification was ever received by the League of Nations.
An instrument of ratification was deposited on 14 June 1929 (in this connection, see remark in note 8 ).
An instrument of ratification was deposited on 27 September 1921.
The date (prior to 28.I.21) is the date on which this declaration (undated) was first published in a League of Nations document.