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Algeria

Reservation:

       The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 35, paragraph 2, of this Convention, which provide that any dispute between two or more States concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention that has not been settled by negotiation shall be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice at the request of any of the parties thereto.

       The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria considers that no dispute of such nature must be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice without the consent of all the parties to the dispute.

Declaration:

       The ratification of this Convention by the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria does not in any way signify recognition of Israel.

       The present ratification does not entail the establishment of relations of any kind with Israel.

Andorra

Declaration under article 35 (2):

       “In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted in New York on 15 November 2000, the Principality of Andorra declares that it does not consider itself bound by the obligation described in paragraph 2 of Article 35, in the sense that in order to submit a controversy before the International Court of Justice it is necessary the consent of all parties involved.”

Azerbaijan

Declaration:

       "The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it is unable to guarantee the application of the provisions of the Convention in the territories occupied by the Republic of Armenia until these territories are liberated from that occupation."

Reservation:

       "In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provision of paragraph 2 of Article 35."

Bahamas

Reservation:

       “In accordance with Article 35 paragraph 3, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas enters a specific reservation to the procedure established under Article 35 paragraph 2 of the Convention on the basis that referral of a dispute concerning the application or interpretation of the provisions of the Convention to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice must be by consent of all the parties to the dispute.”

Bahrain

Reservation:

       “... the Kingdom of Bahrain does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of article 35 of the Convention.”

Bangladesh

Reservation:

       “In accordance with the provision in paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the Convention, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of the said Article.”

Belarus

Statement:

       “The Republic of Belarus understands the implementation of the provisions of Article 10 of the Convention to the degree that will not contradict its national legislation.”

Belgium

Upon signature:

       Declaration:

       The French, Flemish and German-speaking Communities and the Regions of Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels-Capital are also bound by this signature.

Belize

Reservation:

       "The Government of Belize does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 35, paragraph 2, of this Convention, which provide that any dispute between two or more States concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention that has not been settled by negotiation shall be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice at the request of any of the parties thereto."

Bhutan

Reservation:

       “The Kingdom of Bhutan does not consider itself bound by Article 16, Section 4, [and] Article 35, Section 2, of the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime…”

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

18 May 2006

Declarations:

       With respect to the definitions and characterizations set out in Articles 5, 6, 8 and 23 of the Convention, the Republic of Bolivia declares that it will first apply its national legislation in force and, secondly, the provisions of the present Convention.

       The Republic of Bolivia declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 35, which deals with the settlement of disputes concerning this Convention.

China

Reservation:

       The People's Republic of China makes a reservation with regard to Article 35, paragraph 2 of the Convention and is not bound by the provisions of Article 35, paragraph 2.

Colombia

Reservation:

       In accordance with article 35, paragraph 3, of the Convention, Colombia declares that it does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of that article.

       

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

       1. In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the Convention, the Government of the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea declares that it does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of Article 35.2. With regard to Article 10 of the Convention, the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea declares that it does not consider itself bound, in part of Article 10, since the liability of legal person is not established in DPRK Criminal Law.

Ecuador

Reservation:

       With regard to article 10 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Government of Ecuador points out that the concept of criminal liability of legal persons is not at the moment embodied in Ecuadorian legislation. When legislation progresses in this area, this reservation will be withdrawn.

       Exercising the powers referred to in article 35, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Government of Ecuador makes a reservation with regard to article 35, paragraph 2, relating to the settlement of disputes.

Egypt

Upon signature:

       Declaration:

       The Arab Republic of Egypt declares that it does not consider itself bound by article 35, paragraph 2, thereof.

El Salvador

Reservation:

       With regard to article 35, paragraph 3, of the said Convention, the Government of the Republic of El Salvador does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of the said article because it does not recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Eritrea

Reservation:

       “In accordance to paragraph 3 of Article 35 of this Convention, the State of Eritrea does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of Article 35 which stipulates that all disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention shall be referred to the International Court of Justice by one of the parties.”

European Union

5 October 2022

       “Information on the modifications to the competences of the European Union with regard to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocols thereto following the Lisbon Treaty

       This information concerns the modifications to the competences of the European Union (‘EU’ or ‘Union’) with regard to matters governed by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto¹ since the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon².

       With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the powers of the European Union that succeeded the European Community have changed. This change creates the legal obligation to inform the depositary of the new competences and to specify the scope and extent of the EC (now EU) competences, pursuant to Article 36(3) UNTOC, Article 21(3) of the Protocol against Migrant Smuggling, and Article 16(3) of the Protocol against Trafficking in Persons. The information contained below supplements the information contained in the notification of 8 March 2010 to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as depositary of the UN conventions.³

       Notably, the UNTOC and its Protocols are mixed competence agreements. They contain provisions that fall both within exclusive competence of the EU and within shared competence jointly together with EU Member States.

       The EU acquired new competences under Title V of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (Articles 82 and 83 TFEU). These new competences comprise important aspects of judicial cooperation in criminal matters (including mutual recognition of judicial decisions between EU Member States) and of police cooperation (Articles 87(2) and(3), and 89 TFEU). As regards substantive criminal law, competences under Article 83(1) TFEU extend to particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension, including terrorism, trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of women and children, illicit drug trafficking, illicit arms trafficking, money laundering, corruption, counterfeiting of means of payment, computer crime and organised crime. The EU has exercised its competence by legislating in most of these policy areas, but also other policy areas that are relevant to the Convention and its Protocols, including in relation to smuggling of migrants, environmental crimes and the freezing and confiscation of assets. Furthermore, the EU has established bodies responsible for investigating, prosecuting crimes against the Union’s financial interests.

       The Union notes that it has also competence to counter fraud and any other illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union (Article 325 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in relation to criminal matters, Article 83(2) TFEU), including in questions relating to anti-corruption. It has exercised its competence in this area, notably with the establishment of the European Anti-Fraud Office, and the adoption of detailed rules on aspects of the fight against illegal activities affecting the financial interests of the Union.

       The Union has also acquired the competence to establish the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) (Article 86 TFEU). Established with Regulation (EU) 2017/1939⁴, the EPPO is competent to investigate, prosecute and bring to judgment the perpetrators of, and accomplices to, criminal offences affecting the Union’s financial interests, notably money laundering involving property derived from such offences, fraud affecting the Union’s financial interests, corruption that damages or is likely to damage the Union’s financial interests, and misappropriation that damages such interests⁵. The EPPO is also competent for offences regarding participation in a criminal organisation as defined in Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA⁶, as implemented in national law, if the focus of the criminal activity of such a criminal organisation is to commit any of the above-mentioned offences affecting the Union’s financial interests.

       In the areas mentioned above, it is for the Union alone to enter into international agreements with other countries or competent international organisations if such undertakings were to affect common rules or alter their scope.

       In the sphere of development cooperation, the European Union has competence to carry out activities and conduct a common policy. This includes support to partner countries in the ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the use of provisions to combat cross-border crime in agreements with partner countries. The exercise of this competence shall not prevent Member States from exercising their competences. The Union’s development cooperation policy and that of the Member States complement and reinforce each other.”

       ______________________

       ¹ As far as the Protocol on Firearms is concerned, a new Declaration of Competence is not required. The EU does not need to modify the declaration in light of the revision of Directive 921/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons: Directive (EU) 2017/853 of 17 May 2017 amending Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, OJL 137/22 of 24.5.2017. The text of the current declaration is still correct, as it does not refer to specific EU legislation and thus capturing the new Directive: ‘[t]he European Union has exclusive competence […] as regards provisions of the agreement which may affect or alter the scope of common rules adopted by the European Union’. It has ‘adopted rules as regards notably the fight against illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, regulating standards and procedures on commercial policy of the Member States concerning in particular record keeping, marking of firearms, deactivation of firearms, requirements for exports, import and transit licensing authorisation systems strengthening of controls at export point and brokering activities.’

       ² The Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community (OJ C 306, 17.12.2007), entered into force on 1 December 2009 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/5/the-treaty-of-lisbon).

       ³ https://treaties.un.org/pages/historicalinfo.aspx#EuropeanUnion

       ⁴ Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’), OJ L 283, 31.10.2017, p. 1-71.

       ⁵ The EPPO became operational on 1 June 2021, when it assumed its investigative and prosecutorial tasks, in accordance with Article 120(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.

       ⁶ Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA of 24 October 2008 on the fight against organised crime, OJ L 300, 11.11.2008, p. 42.

21 May 2004

Declaration:

       "Article 36 (3) of the United Nations Convention against transnational organised crime provides that the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of a regional economic integration organisation shall contain a declaration on the extent of its competence.

       1) The Community points out that it has competence with regard to progressively establishing the internal market, comprising an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods and services is ensured in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community. For this purpose, the Community has adopted measures to combat money laundering. They do, however, at present not include measures concerning cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units, detection and monitoring the movement of cash across the borders between the Member States or cooperation among judicial and law enforcement authorities. The Community also has adopted measures to ensure transparency and the equal access of all candidates for the public contracts and services markets which contributes to preventing corruption. Where the Community has adopted measures, it is for the Community alone to enter into external undertakings with third States or competent international organisations which affect those measures or alter their scope. This competence relates to Articles 7, 9 and 31 (2)(c) of the Convention. Moreover, Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation complements policies pursued by Member States and includes provisions to combat corruption. This competency relates to Article 30 of the Convention. Moreover, the Community considers itself bound by other provisions of the Convention to the extent that they are related to the application of Articles 7, 9, 30 and 31 (2)(c), in particular the articles concerning its purpose and definitions and its final provisions.

       The scope and the exercise of Community competence are, by their nature, subject to continuous development and the Community will complete or amend this declaration, if necessary, in accordance with Article 36 of the Convention.

       2) The United Nations Convention against transnational organised crime shall apply, with regard to the competence of the Community, to the territories in which the Treaty establishing the European Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, in particular Article 299 thereof.

       Pursuant to Article 299, this declaration is not applicable to the territories of the Member States in which the said Treaty does not apply and is without prejudice to such acts or positions as may be adopted under the Convention by the Member States concerned on behalf of and in the interests of those territories."

Statement:

       "With respect to Article 35, paragraph 2, the Community points out that, according to Article 34, paragraph 1, of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, only States may be parties before that Court. Therefore, under Article 35, paragraph 2, of the Convention, in disputes involving the community only dispute settlement by way of arbitration will be available."

Fiji

Reservation:

       “Fiji reserves waiving its sovereign rights and declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 35.”

Greece

Reservation:

       “Article 16 of the Convention is ratified in its entirety, without prejudice to Article 5 of the Constitution and Article 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

       Article 18 of the Convention is ratified without prejudice to Article 458(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the provisions of Law 2472/1997 (Government Gazette 50A) “Protection of Individuals with regard to the Processing of Personal Data”, as currently in force.

       The Greek State makes use of Article 35(3) and declares that it is not bound by para. 2 of this article.”

Holy See

Reservation

       “Pursuant to article 35.3 of the Convention, the Holy See, acting also in the name and on behalf of Vatican City State, declares that it does not consider itself bound by article 35.2 of the Convention. The Holy See, acting also in the name and on behalf of Vatican City State, specifically reserves the right to agree in a particular case, on an ad hoc basis, to any convenient means to settle any dispute arising out of this Convention.”

Declarations

       “By acceding to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Holy See, acting also in the name and on behalf of Vatican City State, intends to contribute and to give its moral support to the global prevention, repression and prosecution of transnational organized crime and to the protection of victims of such crimes.

       In conformity with its own nature, its mission, and the particular character of Vatican City State, the Holy See upholds the values of brotherhood, justice and peace between persons and peoples, whose protection and strengthening require the primacy of the rule of law and respect for human rights, and it reaffirms that instruments of criminal and judicial cooperation constitute effective safeguards in the face of criminal activities that jeopardize human dignity and peace.

       In respect to article 10 of the Convention, the Holy See notes that, due to the particular nature of the Holy See and of Vatican City State, the concept of criminal liability of legal persons is not embodied in their domestic legal principles.

       The Holy See declares that articles 16.14 and 18.21 of the Convention shall be interpreted in light of its legal doctrine and the sources of its law (Vatican City State Law LXXI, of 1 October 2008).”

India

Declarations:

       “(i) The Government of India does not consider itself bound by the provisions of the Convention and its Protocols relating to submission of disputes for arbitration or to the International Court of Justice.

       (ii) In pursuance of Article 16, paragraph 5(a) of the Convention, the Government of India shall apply the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention.

       (iii) The Government of the Republic of India declares, with respect to Article 18 of the Convention, that international cooperation for mutual legal assistance shall be afforded through applicable bilateral Agreements, and where the mutual legal assistance sought is not covered by a bilateral agreement with the requesting State, it shall on reciprocal basis, be provided under the provisions of the Convention.

       (iv) In pursuance of Article 18, paragraph 13 of the Convention, the designated Central Authority would be the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

       (v) The Government of India declares that acceptable languages for the purpose of the Convention and its Protocols shall be English and/or Hindi.”

Indonesia

Reservation:

       “ … the Government of the Republic of Indonesia conveys her reservation not to be bound by the provision of Article 35 (2) and takes the position that dispute[s] relating to the interpretation and application of the Convention which have not been settled through the channel provided for in Paragraph (1) of the said Article, may be referred to the International Court of Justice only with the [consent] of all Parties to the dispute.”

Israel

Declaration Regarding Article 35(2)

       “In accordance with Article 35 paragraph 3 of the Convention the State of Israel declares that it does not consider itself bound by Article 35 paragraph 2, which stipulates that all disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention shall be referred to the International Court of Justice.”

Jordan

Upon signature:

       Reservation:

       "The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan declares its intention not to be bound by the provisions of article 35, Paragraph (2) of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime."

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Reservation:

       "In accordance with paragraph 3, Article 35 of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, the Lao People's Democratic Republic does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2, Article 35 of the present Convention. The Lao People's Democratic Republic declares that to refer a dispute relating to interpretation and application of the present Convention to arbitration or the International Court of Justice, the agreement of all parties concerned in the dispute is necessary."

Latvia

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that its domestic law requires an act in furtherance of the agreement for purposes of the offences established in accordance with paragraph 1 (a) (i) of Article 5."

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 16 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that it takes the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention."

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that the designated authorities are:

       1)   Prosecutor General's Office - during a pre-trial investigation

       O. Kalpaka blvd. 6, Riga, LV-1801, Latvia

       Phone: +371 704 4400

       Fax: +371 704 4449

       E-mail: gen@lrp.gov.lv

       2)   Ministry of Justice - during a trial.

       Brivibas blvd. 36, Riga, LV- 1536, Latvia

       Phone:  +371 703 6801, 703 6716

       Fax:  +371 721 0823, 728 5575

       E-mail: tm.kanceleja@tm.gov.lv"

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 14 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that the acceptable language is English or Latvian."

Lithuania

Declarations:

       "... according to paragraph 6 of Article 13 of the Convention, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania declares that the Republic of Lithuania shall consider the Convention the necessary and sufficient treaty basis for the taking of the measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 13 of this Convention;

       ... pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the Convention, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania declares that the Republic of Lithuania shall not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 35, stipulating that any disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention shall be referred to the International Court of Justice."

Malaysia

Declarations:

       "(a) Pursuant to Article 35, paragraph 3 of the Convention, the Government of Malaysia declares that it does not consider itself bound by Article 35, paragraph 2 of the Convention, and

       (b) the Government of Malaysia reserves the right specifically to agree in a particular case to follow the arbitration procedure set forth in Article 35, paragraph 2 of the Convention or any other procedure for arbitration."

Micronesia (Federated States of)

Reservation:

       "... with a reservation that the FSM Government shall not consider itself bound by article 35, paragraph 2, of the Convention; ..."

Myanmar11

Reservations:

       The Government further wishes to make a reservation on Article 35 and does not consider itself bound by obligations to refer disputes relating to the interpretation or application of this Convention to the International Court of Justice."

Nepal

Reservation:

       “In accordance with Article 35, paragraph 3, the Government of Nepal declares that it does not consider itself bound by the obligation set forth in Article 35, paragraph 2.

Nicaragua

Upon signature:

       Declaration:

       The State of the Republic of Nicaragua declares that such measures as may be necessary to harmonize the Convention with its domestic law, will be the outcome of the processes of revision of criminal legislation which the State of the Republic of Nicaragua is currently pursuing or which it may pursue in the future.  Moreover, the State of the Republic of Nicaragua reserves the right, at the moment of depositing its instrument of ratification of the present Convention, to invoke, in accordance with the general principles of international law, article 19 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 23 May 1969.

North Macedonia

Reservation:

       "In accordance with Article 35, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Republic of Macedonia states that it does not consider itself bound by Article 35, paragraph 2, which stipulates that all disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention shall be referred to the International Court of Justice."

Pakistan

Reservation:

       “Article 35 (2)

       The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of article 35 of the Convention.”

Panama

Declaration:

       The Government of the Republic of Panama hereby declares that, in connection with articles 16 and 18 of the Convention, it shall not be obliged to carry out extraditions or to render mutual legal assistance in cases where the events giving rise to a request for extradition or mutual legal assistance are not offences under the criminal legislation of the Republic of Panama.

Qatar

Reservation:

       … with a reservation regarding paragraph 2 of Article (35) concerning the submission of dispute to International Arbitration or to the International Court of Justice.

Republic of Moldova

Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of Article 35 of the Convention.

Reservation:

       Until the full establishment of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, the provisions of the Convention will be applied only on the territory controlled by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova.

Russian Federation

Declarations:

       The Russian Federation, in accordance with article 13, para-graph 6 of the Convention declares that, on the basis of reciprocity, it will consider the Convention the necessary and sufficient treaty basis for the taking of the measures referred to in article 13, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Convention;

       The Russian Federation shall have jurisdiction over the offences established in accordance with articles 5, 6, 8 and 23 of the Convention in the cases envisaged in article 15, paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Convention;

       The Russian Federation considers that the provisions of article 16, paragraph 14 of the Convention must be applied in such a way as to ensure the inevitability of responsibility for the commission of offences falling within the purview of the Convention, without detriment to the effectiveness of international cooperation in the areas of extradition and legal assistance;

       The Russian Federation, on the basis of article 18, paragraph 7 of the Convention, declares that, on the basis of reciprocity, it will apply article 18, paragraphs 9 to 29 instead of the relevant provisions of any treaty of the mutual legal assistance conclu-ded by the Russian Federation with another State Party to the Convention, if, in the view of the central authority of the Russian Federation, that will facilitate cooperation;

       The Russian Federation declares that, in accordance with article 27, paragraph 2 of the Convention, it will consider the Convention as the basis for mutual law enforcement cooperation in respect of the offences covered by the Convention, on condition that such cooperation does not include the conduct of investigatory or other procedural actions in the territory of the Russian Federation.

Saudi Arabia

Reservations:

       “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not consider itself obligated by paragraph 2 of article 35 of the Convention."

Singapore

Reservation:

       "Pursuant to Article 35, paragraph 3 of the above mentioned Convention, the Government of the Republic of Singapore does not consider itself bound by Article 35, paragraph 2 of the said Convention."

Slovakia

Declaration:

       "Pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 2 (d) and Article 13, paragraph 5 the appropriate authority which will furnish copies of the laws and regulations of the Slovak Republic that give effect to these paragraphs and of any subsequent changes to such laws and regulations or a description thereof to the Secretary General of the United Nations is the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic."

South Africa

Reservation :

       "AND WHEREAS pending a decision by the Government of the Republic of South Africa on the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, the Government of the Republic does not consider itself bound by the terms of Article 35 (2) of the Convention which provides for the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in differences arising out of the interpretation or application of the Convention.  The Republic will adhere to the position that, for the submission of a particular dispute for settlement by the International Court, the consent of all the parties to the dispute is required in every individual case."

Syrian Arab Republic

Reservation:

       The Syrian Arab Republic expresses a reservation with respect to article 35, paragraph 2 of the Convention.

Thailand

Reservation:

       “[I]n accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 35 of the Convention, the Kingdom of Thailand does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of the same Article.”

Tunisia

Reservation:

       In ratifying the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 November 2000, the Tunisian Government declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 35, paragraph 2, of the Convention and emphasizes that disputes over the interpretation or application of this Convention may not be submitted to the International Court of Justice unless there is agreement in principle among all the parties concerned.

Ukraine

Reservations and declarations:

       to the paragraph 6 of Article 13:

       The Convention shall be applied only subject to the observation of the constitutional principles and fundamental basis of the legal system of Ukraine;

       to the paragraph b of Article 2:

       The term "serious crime" corresponds to the terms "grave crime"and "especially grave crime"in the Ukrainian criminal law.  Grave crime means the crime for which the law provides such type of punishment as imprisonment for at least five years and not exceeding ten years (paragraph 4 of Article 12 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), and especially grave crime means crime for which the law provides such type of punishment as imprisonment for more than ten years or life imprisonment (paragraph 5 of Article 12 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

United Arab Emirates

Declaration:

       The United Arab Emirates declares ... that the provisions of that Convention shall not be binding on the United Arab Emirates in its dealings with States that have not ratified thereof in connection with matters decreed therein, and that such ratification shall in no case imply the estab lishment of relations of any kind with the said States.

United States of America

Reservation:

       (1) The United States of America reserves the right to assume obligations under the Convention in a manner consistent with its fundamental principles of federalism, pursuant to which both federal and state criminal laws must be considered in relation to the conduct addressed in the Convention.  U.S. federal criminal law, which regulates conduct based on its effect on interstate or foreign commerce, or another federal interest, serves as the principal legal regime within the United States for combating organized crime, and is broadly effective for this purpose.  Federal criminal law does not apply in the rare case where such criminal conduct does not so involve interstate or foreign commerce, or another federal interest.  There are a small number of conceivable situations involving such rare offenses of a purely local character where U.S. federal and state criminal law may not be entirely adequate to satisfy an obligation under the Convention.  The United States of America therefore reserves to the obligations set forth in the Convention to the extent they address conduct which would fall within this narrow category of highly localized activity.  This reservation does not affect in any respect the ability of the United States to provide international cooperation to other Parties as contemplated in the Convention.

       (2) The United States of America reserves the right not to apply in part the obligation set forth in Article 15, paragraph 1 (b) with respect to the offenses established in the Convention.  The United States does not provide for plenary jurisdiction over offenses that are committed on board ships flying its flag or aircraft registered under its laws.  However, in a number of circumstances, U.S. law provides for jurisdiction over such offenses committed on board U.S. -flagged ships or aircraft registered under U.S. law.  Accordingly, the United States will implement paragraph 1 (b) to the extent provided for under its federal la

       (3) In accordance with Article 35, paragraph 3, the United States of America declares that it does not consider itself bound by the obligation set forth in Article 35, paragraph 2."

Uzbekistan

Reservation:

       The Republic of Uzbekistan does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 35 of this Convention.

Declaration:

       Communication concerning article 2, paragraph (a), of the Convention

       Under article 29, section 4, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, approved by the Act of 22 September 1994, a group of two or more persons constituted in advance for the purpose of joint criminal activity is considered an organized group.

       Communication concerning article 2, paragraph (b), of the Convention

       Under article 15 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, offences are subdivided, according to their nature and the degree of danger they pose to society, into: offences that do not pose a great danger to society, less grave, grave and especially grave offences.

       Offences that do not pose a great danger to society are premeditated offences punishable by deprivation of liberty for not more than three years and offences committed through negligence and punishable by deprivation of liberty for not more than five years.

       Less grave offences are premeditated offences punishable by deprivation of liberty for more than three years but not exceeding five years and offences committed through negligence and punishable by deprivation of liberty for more than five years.

       Grave offences are premeditated offences punishable by deprivation of liberty for more than 5 years but not exceeding 10 years.

       Especially grave offences are premeditated offences punishable by deprivation of liberty for more than 10 years or the death penalty.

       Communication concerning article 2, paragraph (g), of the Convention

       Pursuant to the Act of the Republic of Uzbekistan of 29 August 2001, confiscation of property as a form of punishment has been removed from the Criminal Code.

       Article 284 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Uzbekistan provides that property that is the object of a crime shall, on the judgement of a court, become State property, unless it is subject to return to the former owner.

       Communication concerning article 7 of the Convention

       Under article 38 of the Act of the Republic of Uzbekistan of 25 April 1996 on banks and bank activities, information on transactions by and accounts belonging to natural and legal persons may be transmitted to the clients and organizations themselves, to the procurator, and to courts and bodies conducting initial inquiries and investigations:

       (a) Information on transactions by and accounts belonging to legal persons and other organizations may be transmitted to the organizations themselves, to the procurator, and to courts and bodies conducting initial inquiries and investigations when criminal proceedings have been initiated;

       (b) Information on accounts and deposits belonging to natural persons may be transmitted to the clients themselves and their legal representatives and, provided that such information pertains to cases they are handling, to courts and bodies conducting initial inquiries and investigations when financial resources and other assets of the client in the account or deposit may be subject to seizure, when a penalty is enforced or when property is confiscated.

       Communication concerning article 10 of the Convention

       The legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan does not provide for criminal or administrative liability in respect of legal persons.

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)12

14 January 2005

Reservation:

       Pursuant to article 35, paragraph 3, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela declares that it enters an express reservation concerning the provisions of paragraph 2 of this article.  Consequently, it does not consider itself bound to submit to arbitration as a means of settling disputes, nor does it recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Viet Nam

Reservation:

       “The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 35 of this Convention.”

Declaration:

       “1.  The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam declares that the provisions of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime are non-self-executing.  The implementation of provisions of this Convention shall be in accordance with Constitutional principles and substantive law of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, on the basis of bilateral or multilateral cooperative agreements with other States and the principle of reciprocity.

       2.  Pursuant to principles of the Vietnamese law, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions with regard to the criminal liability of legal persons set forth in Article 10 of this Convention.

       3.  The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, pursuant to Article 16 of this Convention, declares that it shall not take this Convention as the direct legal basis for extradition.  The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam shall carry out extradition in accordance with the provisions of the Vietnamese law, on the basis of treaties on extradition and the principle of reciprocity.”

Yemen

Reservation:

       [The Government of the Republic of Yemen declares that they] … fully approve and ratify the above-mentioned Convention and are bound by all its provisions, with the exception of article 35, paragraph 2.

Andorra

       “1)  In accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted in New York on 15 November 2000, the Government of the Principality of Andorra designates the following Central Authority with the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and to execute them:

       Ministry in charge of Interior

       Government of the Principality of Andorra

       Administrative Building ‘Obac’

       Obac Street

       AD 700 Escaldes-Engordany

       PRINCIPALITY OF ANDORRA

       Tel.: + 376-872 080

       Fax: +376-869 250

       Although in case of emergency, all requests can be sent directly through INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization).

       2)  In accordance with paragraph 14 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted in New York on 15 November 2000, the Government of the Principality of Andorra will accept all requests for legal assistance made in the Catalan, French and Spanish languages or that are accompanied by a translation in Catalan, French or Spanish languages.”

Armenia

       "Article 5

       Pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted in New York on the 15th day of November 2000 (hereinafter referred as to Convention) the Republic of Armenia declares that its Criminal Code (chapter 7, in particular Article 41 of the Code) covers all serious crimes involving organized criminal groups provided in paragraph 1 (a) (i) of Article 5 of the Convention.

       Article 16

       Pursuant to paragraph 5 of Article 16 of the Convention the Republic of Armenia declares that it will take the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention.

       However, at the same time the Republic of Armenia declares that it shall apply the Convention in relations with the States Parties of the European Convention on Extradition, done at Paris, on 13th day of December 1957, provided that the Convention supplements and facilitates the application of the provisions of the European Convention on Extradition.

       Article 18

       Pursuant to paragraph 13 of Article 18 of the Convention the Republic of Armenia designates the following central authorities to receive the requests for mutual legal assistance:

       a/ in respect of the cases of pretrial investigation phase

       - the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Armenia

       b/  in respect of the cases of court proceedings phase or connected with the implementation of the judgment

       - the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia.

       Pursuant to paragraph 14 Article 18 of the Convention the Republic of Armenia declares that the acceptable languages are Armenian, English or Russian."

26 March 2012

       “… updated data of the national competent authority designated under the United  Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       Name of Authority: Police of the Republic of Armenia

       Full postal address: str. Nalbandyan 130

       Yerevan 0025

       Name of service to be contacted: International Cooperation Department

       Name of person to be contacted: Ms. Armine Gevorgyan

       Title: Police Lieutenant-Colonel, Senior Inspector for Special Tasks

       Telephone: +374 10 561 237

       Fax: +374 10 544 648

       Email: armushgevorgyan@yahoo.com

       Office Hours: 09:00 to 18:00

       Lunch breaks: from 13:00 to 14:00

       GMT: +4

       Languages: English, Russian

       Acceptance of requests through Yes

       INTERPOL:

       Formats and channels accepted: Any, for police purposes only

       Specific procedure in urgent cases: Depends on the case.”

Azerbaijan

       "In accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 16 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it will use the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States- Parties to the Convention.

       In accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 18 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan is designated as the central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution.

       In accordance with paragraph 14 of Article 18 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that the requests and supporting documents should be submitted in Russian or English as the UN official languages, and should be accompanied by a translation in Azeri.

       In accordance with paragraph 6 of Article 31 of the Convention, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that the following authority can assist other States Parties in developing measures to prevent transnational organized crime:

       Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan H. Hajiev st. 7, Baky, Azerbaijan."

Belarus

       “ The Republic of Belarus in accordance with Article 16 of the Convention will use the Convention as a basis for cooperation on the issues of extradition with other states - members of the Convention.”

Belize

       "[The Government of Belize] declares that it shall take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention;

       [The Government of Belize] further declares that the central authority designated for the purpose of article 18, paragraph 13 of the aforesaid Convention is the Attorney-General's Office and the language acceptable to Belize for the purposes of article 18, paragraph 14 is English."

Botswana

       “The Government of the Republic of Botswana hereby notified the Secretary-General of the United Nations that pursuant to:

       a) paragraph 5 (a) of Article 16, the Government of the Republic of Botswana will not take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention;

       b) paragraph 13 of Article 18, the Government of the Republic of Botswana designates the Attorney General of the Republic of Botswana as the central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution;

       c) paragraph 14 of Article 18, English is the acceptable language to the Government of the Republic of Botswana;

       d) paragraph 6 of Article 31, the following authorities can assist other State Parties in developing measures to prevent transnational organized crime:

       i) The Commissioner of Police

       Botswana Police Headquarter

       Government Enclave

       Private Bag 0012

       Gaborone, Botswana

       ii) The Attorney General of the Republic of Botswana

       Attorney General’s Chambers

       Government Enclave

       Private Bag 009

       Gaborone, Botswana."

Burkina Faso

       ... the information below relates to the criminalization of an organized criminal group and of certain offences provided for in the Convention, the extradition regime, the central authority competent to receive and execute requests for mutual legal assistance, and the acceptable language for submitting such requests to Burkina Faso.

       I. Criminalization of an organized criminal group, and certain offences covered by the Convention

       In the positive law of Burkina Faso, the applicable Penal Code (Act 43/96/ADP of 13 November 1996) criminalizes an organized criminal group.

       Article 222 of the Penal Code, which defines the crime of association of offenders, stipulates that "any association or agreement of whatever duration or number of members, formed or established for the purpose of committing crimes against persons or property, shall constitute the crime of association of offenders, which exists by the sole fact of the resolution to act decided by mutual consent".

       Articles 223 and 224, which punish that offence, set the following penalties for offenders:

       - Five to 10 years of imprisonment for any person belonging to the association or agreement defined in article 222;

       - Ten to 20 years of imprisonment for the leaders of such an association or agreement.

       The Penal Code of Burkina Faso accordingly criminalizes the existence of an organized criminal group as a separate offence, before the commission of any act that is the subject of the agreement.

       It should also be pointed out that the Penal Code allows for the extension of the prosecution of members of an organized group to persons outside the group who have participated in the commission of an offence by the group, as associates or accomplices (arts. 64 and 65 of the Penal Code). Receiving, which is defined as the knowing possession or enjoyment of proceeds of crime or of money laundered from drug trafficking by an individual, is also a crime under articles 508 to 510 and article 446 of the Penal Code.

       With regard to corruption, whose criminalization has been recommended by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, it should be noted that the Penal Code of Burkina Faso, in articles 156 and 160, defines and imposes penalties for the commission of such an offence.

       Regarding the criminal liability of legal persons, the Penal Code allows for the establishment of such liability, since article 64, paragraph 2, thereof provides that "any legal person having a civil, commercial, industrial or financial purpose on whose behalf or in whose interest the act of commission or omission that constitutes an offence has been wilfully perpetrated by its organs shall also be considered an accomplice".

       II. Extradition regime

       Burkina Faso has signed agreements on mutual legal assistance, including extradition, with France (an agreement on judicial cooperation, signed at Paris on 24 April 1961) and Mali (a general convention on cooperation in judicial matters, signed at Ouagadougou on 23 November 1963).

       At the multilateral level, Burkina Faso has also signed several conventions on judicial cooperation, including:

       - The general convention on judicial cooperation, signed at Antananarivo on 12 September 1961 under the auspices of the former African and Malagasy Common Organization (OCAM);

       - The convention on judicial cooperation among the States parties to the Accord on Non-Aggression and Mutual Assistance in Defence (ANAD), adopted at Nouakchott on 21 April 1987;

       - The convention A/P.1/7/92 of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, adopted at Dakar on 29 July 1992;

       - The extradition convention A/P.1/8/94 of ECOWAS, signed at Abuja on 6 August.

       For countries bound to Burkina Faso by a cooperation agreement or convention, these texts are applicable in their relations.

       For countries not bound to Burkina Faso by an agreement or convention on judicial cooperation, the text which applies in the case of a request for extraition is the legislative act of 10 March 1927 on the extradition of foreigners. That law was promulgated in former French West Africa (AOF) and made applicable to the former colonies by an order dated 2 April 1927 (Official Journal of French West Africa, 1927, p. 297). It remained in force in Burkina Faso after independence. Article 1 of the act provides that, "in the absence of a treaty, the conditions, procedure and modalities of extradition shall be determined by the provisions of the present law. The law shall also apply to those issues not regulated by treaties".

       What is clear from the reading of this article on the extradition law of Burkina Faso is that the extradition of foreigners is not subordinated to the prior existence of a treaty, since the law in question is designed to regulate cases where no treaty exists or points on which existing treaties are silent.

       In the case of a request for extradition, the same law subordinates the handing over of the foreigner who is the subject of the request to the existence of legal proceedings or a conviction for an offence under the law (art. 2).

       With regard to offences for which extradition may be requested by foreign Governments, the law makes a distinction between the case of persons being prosecuted and those sentenced (art. 4). For persons being prosecuted, the law allows extradition for all offences constituting crimes under the laws of the requesting State. Regarding offences punishable by custodial sentences under the laws of the requesting State, the laws of Burkina Faso require that the maximum sentence must be at least two years of imprisonment.

       For sentenced offenders, the act dated 10 March 1927 requires that the sentence handed down by the court in the requesting State must equal or exceed two months of imprisonment.

       From these various clarifications, it may be said that the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime alone cannot serve as the legal basis for the offences it considers extraditable. It can certainly be affirmed, however, that the domestic laws of Burkina Faso, and the agreements to which the country is signatory, easily allow for extradition and are not at variance with the Convention.

       III. Central authority competent to receive and execute requests for mutual legal assistance

       In Burkina Faso, the central authority competent to receive and execute requests for mutual legal assistance is the Garde des sceaux, Minister of Justice. This principle is enshrined in articles 9 and 10 of the act dated 10 March 1927 on extradition and is applicable to any form of mutual legal assistance.

       - Under article 9 of that act, requests for extradition should be addressed to the Government of Burkina Faso through the diplomatic channel;

       - Article 10 of the act stipulates that, "after documentary verification, the request for extradition shall be transmitted, with the supporting documents, by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Minister of Justice, who shall ensure that the request is in order and shall take such action as is required under law";

       - Thus, the principle is that the Minister for Foreign Affairs serves as the intermediary for transmission of the request for mutual legal assistance sent through the diplomatic channel, while the Minister of Justice is the authority empowered to receive and execute the request.

       It should be mentioned that agreements on judicial cooperation intended to simplify procedures between the States parties, often provide for a waiver of this principle by allowing for direct transmittal of the request for mutual legal assistance from the competent judicial authority of the requesting State to that of the requested State.

       IV. Language acceptable for requesting mutual legal assistance

       In accordance with the provisions of article 35, paragraph 1, of the Constitution, the official language of Burkina Faso is French. For that reason, the language acceptable for official documents addressed to the Government, including requests for mutual legal assistance, is French.

Canada

25 October 2013

       International Assistance Group

       Litigation Branch, Criminal Law Division

       Department of Justice Canada

       284 Wellington Street, 2nd Floor

       Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H8

       Telephone: + 011 44 613-957-4832

       After hours number: + 011 44 613-851-7891

       Fax: +011 44 613-957-8412

       Email: cdncentralauthority@justice.gc.ca

China

29 March 2006

       "In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 13 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China are designated as the central authorities that have the responsibility and power to receive requests for legal assistance.  The address of the Ministry of Justice is: 10 Chaoyangmen Nandajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, 100020; and the address of the Ministry of Public Security is: 14 Dong Chang'anjie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, 100741.

       In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 14 of Article 18 of the Convention, Chinese is the only language acceptable to the People's Republic of China for the written requests for legal assistance."

3 June 2008

       “1. Regarding paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, pursuant to the criminal law of China, a person commits a crime if he/she participates in terrorist group(s) or in organization(s) in the nature of criminal syndicate. Constitution of such crime doesn’t require that he/she commits a specific criminal activity. With regard to participation in other organized crime, the specific activity committed by the participant shall be considered as constitutive element of crime concerned.

       2. Regarding the question in paragraph 5 of Article 16 of the Convention that whether States Parties make extradition conditional on the existence of extradition treaty and take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition, China may carry out cooperation on extradition with other State on the basis of reciprocity and doesn’t make extradition conditional on the existence of extradition treaty. Furthermore, the Convention could be the legal basis for China to cooperate with other States Parties on extradition.

       3. Regarding paragraph 6 of Article 31 of the Convention, China has not yet specifically designated the authority or authorities that can assist other States Parties in developing measures to prevent transnational organized crime.”

30 November 2012

       1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China is designated as the communication authority for cooperation on extradition for the purpose of Article 16 of the Convention.

       Address: No. 2 Chao Yang Men Nan Da Jie, Chao Yang District, Beijing, China.

       2. With regard to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Secretary for Justice of the Department of Justice of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is designated as the competent authority for cooperation on surrender of fugitive offenders for the purpose of Article 16 of the Convention.

       Address: 47/F High Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

       3. With Regard to Macao Special Administrative Region, the Office of the Secretary for Administration and Justice of Macao Special Administrative Region is designated as the competent authority for cooperation on surrender of fugitive offenders for the purpose of Article 16 of the Convention.

       Address: Sede do Governo da RAEM, Avenida da Praia Grande, Macao.

Cook Islands

       "In accordance with the provisions of article 18, paragraph 13, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Government of the Cook Islands declares that the Attorney General of the Cook Islands is designated by the Government of the Cook Islands as the Central Authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance.

       AND pursuant to article 18, paragraph 14, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, that the English language is designated by the Government of the Cook Islands as the acceptable language in which to make requests for mutual legal assistance."

Cuba

       Pursuant to article 5, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Republic of Cuba reports that its domestic law provides that involvement of an organized criminal group in the offences established in accordance with paragraph 1 (a) (i) of this article is an aggravating factor in such conduct.

       With respect to the provisions of article 16, paragraph 5 of the Convention, concerning its use as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with States with which extradition agreements have been signed, the Convention shall apply whenever these agreements are incompatible with it.

       With respect to article 18, paragraph 13, the central authority with the responsibility to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution is the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Cuba.

       Furthermore, requests for legal assistance must be submitted to the central authority in Spanish pursuant to article 18, paragraph 14.

       With respect to the provisions of article 35, paragraph 3, the Republic of Cuba declares that it does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of this article, concerning the settlement of disputes between two or more States parties.

Denmark

       “In accordance with Article 18 (13) of the Convention Denmark declares that the central authority in Denmark competent to receive requests for mutual legal assistance is the Ministry of Justice. The address is: Justitsministeriet, Det Internationale Kontor, Slotsholmsgade 10, DK-1216 Copenhagen K, tel. +45 33 92 33 40, fax +45 33 93 35 10, email:  jm@jm.dk .

       In accordance with Article 18 (14) of the Convention Denmark declares that it will accept requests in the following languages: Danish, Swedish Norwegian, English, French and German.”

El Salvador

       The Government of the Republic of El Salvador recognizes the extradition of nationals on the basis of article 28, second and third subparagraphs, of the Constitution of the Republic, which states as follows: `Extradition shall be governed by international treaties and, where Salvadorans are involved, shall be in order only where a treaty expressly so stipulates and has been approved by the legislative bodies of the signatory countries. In any event, its stipulations shall embody the principle of reciprocity and shall grant to all Salvadorans all of the penal and procedural guarantees that are set forth in this Constitution.' 'Extradition shall be in order only where the offence has been committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the requesting country, except where offences of international reach are involved. Under no circumstances may extradition be stipulated for political offences, even where common crimes are the result of such offences,' advising further that the said Convention shall not be considered to be the legal basis of cooperation on extradition in its relations with other States parties thereto, and that it shall nonetheless endeavour, where necessary, to conclude extradition treaties with other States parties to the Convention.

       With regard to article 18, paragraphs 13 and 14, the Government of the Republic of El Salvador states that the designated central authority is the Ministry of the Interior. Communications shall be transmitted through the diplomatic channel, and the acceptable language is Spanish.

Finland

       "Pursuant to Article 18 (13), the Republic of Finland declares that the Ministry of Justice is the central authority competent to receive, execute or transmit requests for mutual legal assistance.

       Pursuant to Article 18 (14), the Republic of Finland declares that Finland accepts documents which are in Finnish, Swedish, Danish, English, French or German languages."

Guatemala

2 July 2007

Notification under article 18 (13) of the Convention:

       The Government of the Republic of Guatemala, in accordance with the provisions of article 18 (13) of the said Convention, designates the judiciary and the Public Prosecutor's Office as the central authorities for the receipt of requests for mutual legal assistance, with the power either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution.

Iceland

Notification under article 18 (13) of the Convention:

       “In accordance with Article 18, paragraph 13, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime of 15 November 2000, Iceland hereby designates the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights as the central authority which shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution.  Iceland further declares, in accordance with Article 18, paragraph 14, that requests shall be made in Icelandic or English.”

Iraq

24 May 2010

Notification under article 18 (13) of the Convention:

       … in order to carry out [the] Republic of Iraq commitments under the Convention, the relevant Iraqi authorities have designated the Ministry of the Interior of Iraq as the central authority with responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and to take action in accordance with articles 16 and 17 of the Convention and Article 8 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.

Israel

"Declaration Regarding Article 18 (13)

       The Minister of Justice is the competent authority under Israeli law to receive requests for legal assistance, an authority which is permitted to delegate. Pursuant to such designation, requests for mutual assistance in criminal cases should be addressed to the Israel Directorate of Courts in the Ministry of Justice, 22 Kanfei Nesharim St. Jerusalem, 95464, copied to the Diplomatic and Civil Law Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 9 Rabin Ave., Jerusalem.

Declaration Regarding Article 18(14)

       Requests for legal assistance must be submitted either in Hebrew or in English.

Declaration Regarding Article 31 (6)

       The authority qualified to assist other countries Parties to the Convention in developing means for the prevention of Transnational Organized Crime is the Special Operations Division of the Israeli Police."

Kyrgyzstan

       The Office of the Prosecutor-General of the Kyrgyz Republic is the central authority with the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution.

Latvia

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 5 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that its domestic law requires an act in furtherance of the agreement for purposes of the offences established in accordance with paragraph 1 (a) (i) of Article 5."

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 5 of Article 16 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that it takes the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention."

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 13 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that the designated authorities are:

       1)   Prosecutor General's Office - during a pre-trial investigation

       O. Kalpaka blvd. 6, Riga, LV-1801, Latvia

       Phone: +371 704 4400

       Fax: +371 704 4449

       E-mail: gen@lrp.gov.lv

       2)   Ministry of Justice - during a trial.

       Brivibas blvd. 36, Riga, LV- 1536, Latvia

       Phone:  +371 703 6801, 703 6716

       Fax:  +371 721 0823, 728 5575

       E-mail: tm.kanceleja@tm.gov.lv"

"Declaration:

       In accordance with paragraph 14 of Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted at New York on the 15th day of November 2000, the Republic of Latvia declares that the acceptable language is English or Latvian."

Liechtenstein

29 March 2012

       “Name of Authority: Ministry of Justice

       Full postal address: Haus Risch

       Äulestrasse 51

       Postfach 684

       FL-9490 Vaduz

       Name of service to be contacted: Ministry of Justice

       Name of person to be contacted: Mr. Harald Oberdorfer

       Telephone: 00423/236-6590

       Fax: 00423/236-7581

       Email: harald.oberdorfer@regierung.li

       Office Hours: 08:30 to 16:30

       Lunch breaks: from 11:30 to 13:00

       GMT: +/- 1

       Languages: English, German

       Acceptance of requests through INTERPOL: Yes

       Information needed for requests to be executed: Letter rogatory (criminal proceedings pending, summary of facts, requested assistance, legal provisions)

       Formats and channels accepted: Fax and transmission through Interpol accepted.”

22 October 2013

       Mag. Harald Oberdorfer

       Legal Officer

       Office of Justice

       Judicial Affairs Division

       P.O. Box 684

       9490 Vaduz

       Principality of Liechtenstein

       Phone: +423 236 65 90

       Fax: +423 236 75 81

       E-Mail: harald.oberdorfer@llv.li

       Languages: German, English

       Office hours: 08:00-11:30, 13:30-17:00

       GMT: +1

       Request by Interpol: yes

Luxembourg

       - Notification concerning article 5, paragraph 3:

       Luxembourg's domestic law requires involvement of an organized criminal group for purposes of the offences established in accordance with article 5, paragraph 1 (a) (i).

       - Notification concerning article 18, paragraph 13:

       The following authority has been designated as the central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance addressed to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg:

       Office of the Public Prosecutor

       Boîte Postale 15

       L-2010 Luxembourg

       Tel.: (352) 47 59 81-336

       Fax: (352) 47 05 50

       - Notification concerning article 18, paragraph 14:

       Requests for mutual legal assistance and related documents addressed to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg must be accompanied by a translation into either French, German or English.

Malaysia

       "1.  Pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 5 (a) of the Convention, the Government of Malaysia declares that it does not take the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention.  The Government of Malaysia declares that it will render cooperation on extradition on the legal basis provided under the Extradition Act 1992 of Malaysia.

       2.  Pursuant to Article 18, paragraph 13 of the Convention, the Government of Malaysia designates the Attorney General of Malaysia as the central authority.

       3.  In accordance with Article 18, paragraph 14 of the Convention, the Government of Malaysia declares that requests and attachments thereto addressed to the central authority of Malaysia should be in the English language or a translation into the English language should be attached thereto.

       4.  Pursuant to Article 31, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the Government of Malaysia notifies that the authorities that can assist other States Parties in developing measures to prevent transnational organized crime are -

       a) Ministry of Internal Security;

       b Ministry of Home Affairs;

       c) Attorney General's Chambers;

       d) Royal Malaysian Police;

       e) Anti-Corruption Agency;

       f) Central Bank of Malaysia;

       g) Immigration Department;

       h) National Drugs Agency."

Mauritius

       "DECLARES that it shall take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention;

       AND FURTHER declares that the central authority designated for the purpose of article [18], paragraph 13 of the aforesaid Convention is the Attorney-General's Office and the languages acceptable to the Republic of Mauritius for the purposes of article [18], paragraph 14 are English and French."

Monaco

18 October 2006

       In accordance with article 16, paragraph 5 of the Convention, the Principality of Monaco declares that, in the absence of a bilateral convention on extradition, it considers the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to be the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention.

       In accordance with article 18, paragraph 13, the Principality of Monaco declares that it designates the Director of Judicial Services as the authority with the responsibility and power for executing or transmitting requests for mutual legal assistance to the competent authorities.

       In accordance with article 18, paragraph 14, the Principality of Monaco declares that the acceptable language is French.

       In accordance with article 31, paragraph 6, the Principality of Monaco declares that the Director of Judicial Services is the authority that can assist other States Parties.

Mozambique

       "Pursuant to :

       (a) paragraph 13 of Article 18, the Government of the Republic of Mozambique designates the Minister of Justice as the central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution.

       (b) paragraph 14 of Article 18, Portuguese or English are the acceptable languages to the Government of the Republic of Mozambique. "

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

Notification under 16 (5) made upon ratification:

       "With reference to Article 16, paragraph 5, under a), of the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, done at New York on 15 November 2000, the Kingdom of the Netherlands declares that it will take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention."

18 January 2007

       “The central authority of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for the Kingdom in Europe is:

       Ministry of Justice

       Department of International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

       P.O. Box 20301

       2500, EH The Hague

       The Netherlands”

9 September 2010

       “With reference to article 16, paragraph 5, under a) of the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for the Netherlands Antilles, declares that it will take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention.

       In accordance with Article 18, paragraph 13, of the Convention the central authority of the Netherlands Antilles is:

       The Procurator-General of the Netherlands Antilles

       Wilhelminaplein 4,

       Willemstad

       Curaçao

       Netherlands Antilles

       Phone: + 599-9-463-4111

       Fax: + 599-9-461-3786

       E-mail: parker.pg@caribjustitia.org”

Nicaragua

10 February 2005

       ... in accordance with article 18, paragraph 13, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua has designated the Office of the Attorney-General of the Republic as the central authority with the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution.

North Macedonia

       "1.  The acts determined in Article 5, paragraph 1 (a) (i), of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, represent, according to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Macedonia, a criminal offense in Article 393 conspiracy to commit a crime.  According to Article 5, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the Criminal Code of the Republic of Macedonia does not require an act of furtherance of the agreement for the purposes of the offenses established in accordance with Article 5, paragraph 1 (a) (i).

       2.  In accordance with Article 18, paragraph 13, of the Convention, the Republic of Macedonia states that the central authority for receiving requests for mutual legal assistance shall be the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Macedonia.

       3.  In accordance with Article 18, paragraph 14, of the Convention, the Republic of Macedonia states that requests for mutual legal assistance and the documents enclosed that shall be made to the Republic of Macedonia, should be accompanied by translation in Macedonian and English.

       4.  In accordance with Article 16, paragraph 5, of the Convention, the Republic of Macedonia states that it takes this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention."

Pakistan

       “Article 16

       The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan declares that pursuant to article 16 paragraph 5, of the Convention, it does not take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties.

       Article 18

       Pursuant to article 18 paragraph 13, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan designates the Ministry of Interior as a central authority to receive all requests for mutual legal assistance from other States Parties under the Convention. All such requests shall be in English or shall be accompanied by an official translation in English.

       Article 31

       In accordance with paragraph 6 of article 31, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan nominates the following authority which can assist other States Parties in preventing transnational organized crime:

       Ministry of Interior

       Address:

       R-Block, Pak Secretariat Islamabad

       Telephone: + 92-51-9210086

       Fax: + 92-51-9201400

       Website: www.interior.gov.pk

       Email: info@interior.gov.pk”

Paraguay

       Article 16, paragraph 5 (a):

       ..., in accordance with article 16, paragraph 5 (a) of the Convention, I hereby inform you that the Republic of Paraguay will take the aforementioned Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention.

       Article 18, paragraph 13: ..., in accordance with article 18, paragraph 13, of the Convention, I hereby notify you that the Republic of Paraguay has designated the following institution as its central authority:

       Central authority: Office of the Public Prosecutor

       Department responsible: Department of International Affairs and External Legal Assistance

       Director: Juan Emilio Oviedo Cabañas, lawyer

       Address: Nuestra Señora de la Asunción 737 entre Víctor Haedo y Humaitá

       Telephone: 595-21-4155000 extensions 162 and 157; 595-21-4155100; 595-21-454603

       e-mail: jeoviedo@ministeriopublico.gov.py

Poland

       Pursuant to article 18, paragraph 13 the Republic of Poland declares that the Ministry of Justice is designated as the central authority competent to receive requests for mutual legal assistance.

       The Republic of Poland declares that Polish and English shall be the languages acceptable pursuant to article 18, paragraph 14.

26 June 2009

Notification under article 31 (6):

       National Prosecutor’s Office; Bureau for Organized Crime

       Address: ul. Barska 28/30

       02-315 Warsaw, Poland

       Tel.: 00 48 22 31 89 700

       Fax: 00 48 22 31 89 701.”

Romania

       “1.  In accordance with Article 16 paragraph 5 (a) of the Convention, Romania considers this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention;

       2.  In accordance with Article 18 paragraph 13 of the Convention, the Romanian central authorities designated to receive the requests for mutual legal assistance are:

       a) The Prosecutor's Office attached to the Supreme Court of Justice, for the requests for mutual legal assistance formulated in pre-trial investigation (Blvd. Libertatii nr.14, sector 5 Bucuresti, tel. 410 54 35/fax.337 47 54);

       b) The Ministry of Justice, for the requests for mutual legal assistance formulated during the trial or execution of punishment, as well as for the requests of extradition (Str. Apollodor nr.17, sector 5 Bucaresti, tel. 3141514/fax. 310 16 62);

       3.  In accordance with Article 18 paragraph 14 of the Convention, the requests for mutual legal assistance and the enclosed documents submitted to the Romanian authorities shall be accompanied by translations in the Romanian language or in the French or English languages.”

Saudi Arabia

       “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the countries whose domestic laws stipulate that an act is to be undertaken in furtherance of the agreement, in order for the act to be criminalized as stated in paragraph 1/a/i of article 5 of the Convention.”

Singapore

       "1.  Pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 5 (a) of the above mentioned Convention, the Government of the Republic of Singapore declares that it does not take the Convention as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition with other States Parties to the Convention.  2.  Pursuant to Article 18, paragraph 13 of the above mentioned Convention, the Government of the Republic of Singapore designates the Attorney-General of Singapore as the central authority for the purposes of mutual legal assistance in accordance with Article 18 of the said Convention.  3.  Pursuant to Article 18, paragraph 14 of the above mentioned Convention, the Government of the Republic of Singapore declares that requests and attachments thereto addressed to the central authority of Singapore should be in the English language, or a translation into the English language should be attached thereto."

Slovenia

       "Pursuant to Article 16, Paragraph 5 (a) of the Convention, the Republic of Slovenia declares that it will take this Convention as the legal basis for co-operation on extradition with other States Parties to this Convention.  In the absence of an international agreement or any other arrangement regulating extradition between the Republic of Slovenia and another State Party to this Convention, the Republic of Slovenia will require documents relating to extradition in compliance with its domestic law.

       Pursuant to Article 18, Paragraph 13 of the Convention, the Republic of Slovenia declares that the central authority for the implementation of the Convention shall be the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia.

       In compliance with Article 18, Paragraph 14 of the Convention, the Republic of Slovenia declares that requests and attachments thereto addressed to the central authority of the Republic of Slovenia should be in the Slovenian language or a translation into Slovenian should be attached thereto.  Should it be impossible to provide translation into the Slovenian language, requests and attachments should be in the English language or a translation into English should be enclosed."

Spain

17 April 2007

       The Government of Spain notified the Secretary-General that in accordance with article 18 (13) , the central authority to receive requests for mutual legal assistance is as follows:

       "Subdirección General de Cooperación Jurídica      Internacional (Ministerio de Justicia) Dirección Calle San Bernardo 62 28015 Madrid Teléfono: 34 91 390 2228 Fax: 34  91 390 44 47."

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

       “Pursuant to articles 5(3), 16(5), 18(13), 18 (14) and 31(6),  the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would like to notify the Secretary-General of the following

       Article 5 of the above mentioned Convention deals with criminalization of participation in an organized group.  Section (3) asked to provide the requisite legislation that deals with serious crimes being committed by organized criminal group.  The definition for “serious crime” as identified by the convention means any conduct constituting an offence punishable by a maximum deprivation of liberty of at least four years or a more serious penalty.  An “organized criminal group” is defined by the Convention as a structured group of three or more persons, existing for a period of time or acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more serious crimes or offences established in accordance with the Convention, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefits.  A “structured group” means a group that is not randomly formed for immediate commission of an offence and that does not need to have formally defined roles for its members, continuity of its membership or a developed structure.

       There are several offences under the Criminal Code Cap. 124 of the Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  Revised Edition 1990 which deals with Offences that are punishable by four years or more.  Some of these are Bribery (Police Act), Theft on indictment (section 215 Cap 124), Drug trafficking (Drug (Prevention) and Misuse Act), Extortion (85-93), Sexual exploitation of children (199-207), Prostitution (123-140), Blackmail (232), Forgery and Counterfeiting (239-260), Obtaining property by deception (223), Obtaining services by deception (225), Treason (Section 41), Piracy (Section 50), Murder (Section 159), Genocide (Section 158), Abduction, Kidnapping and similar crimes (Section 199-204), Money Laundering (Proceeds of crime and Money Laundering (Prevention) Act No. 39 of 2001) and Terrorism (United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Act No. 34 of 2002).

       The Criminal Code does not deal with the element of the definition which speaks to these crimes being committed by an organized or structured group.

       Article 16 (5) of the above mentioned Convention highlights the legal basis for extradition by state parties under this Convention.  International Law permits that state parties to a convention takes the Convention as the legal basis for extradition between the state parties.  The Fugitive Offenders Act Cap. 126 of the Laws of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Revised Edition 1990, makes new provision for the return from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines or persons found therein who are accused of, or have been convicted of offences in other countries and whose return is requested by such other countries and for matters related thereto.

       Article 18(13) seeks notification on the Central Authority designed for the purpose of Mutual Legal Assistance.  The Central Authority is the Attorney General’s Chambers, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Methodist Building, Corner Granby & Sharpe Streets, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

       Article 18 (14) seeks notification as to the language that is acceptable by the State party.  English Language.

       Article 31 (6) requires the name and address of the authority or authorities that can assist, state parties in developing measures to prevent transnational organized crime.

       (1)  The Central Authority is the same as stated above in Article 18(13).

       (2)  The Financial Intelligence Unit, P.O.Box 1826, Third Floor, Bonadie Building, Kingstown, Saint Vincent.”

Switzerland

21 November 2006

       - The central authority designated by Switzerland to receive requests for mutual legal assistance, in accordance with article 18 (13) of the Convention is:

       The Federal Office of Justice

       CH-3003 Berne

       - In accordance with article 18 (14) of the Convention, requests for mutual legal assistance and documents pertaining thereto must be submitted to Switzerland along with an official certified translation into French, German or Italian, should they not have been established in either of these languages.

United States of America

       "Pursuant to Article 5, paragraph 3, of the Convention, I have the honour to inform you that, in order to establish criminal liability under the United States law with respect to the offense described in Article 5, paragraph 1 (a) (i), the commission of an overt act in furtherance of the agreement is generally required.

       Pursuant to Article 16, paragraph 5, of the Convention, I have the honour to inform you that the United States of America will not apply Article 16, paragraph 4.

       Pursuant to Article 18, paragraph 13, of the Convention, I have the honour to inform you that the Office of International Affairs, United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, is designated as the central authority of the United States of America for mutual legal assistance under the Convention.

       Pursuant to Article 18, paragraph 14, of the Convention, I have the honour to inform you that requests for mutual legal assistance under the Convention should be made in, or accompanied by, a translation into the English language.

       Pursuant to Article 31, paragraph 6, of the Convention, I have the honour to inform you that requests for assistance on developing measures to prevent transnational organized crime should be directed to the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice."

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

19 December 2003

       Pursuant to the provisions of article 5, paragraph 3 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela declares the following:

       With respect to national laws governing the offences described in article 5, paragraph 1 (a)(i), Venezuelan law typifies and penalizes such offences under articles 287 to 293 of the current Penal Code referring to the offence of forming an organized criminal group. Pursuant to article 16, paragraph 5, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela declares:

       The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime shall be taken as the legal basis for cooperation on extradition in relations between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and other States Parties to the Convention.

       Pursuant to article 18, paragraph 13, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela declares:

       The central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution shall be the Public Prosecutor's Office, in accordance with the powers conferred upon the said institution by the Act for partial reform of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

       Pursuant to article 18, paragraph 14, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela declares:

       Requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters made to the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall be written in Spanish, in accordance with Venezuelan constitutional and legal provisions.

Yemen

       1. The Republic of Yemen does not take this Convention as the legal basis for cooperation with other States Parties to the Convention on the extradition of criminals pursuant to article 16 concerning extradition, because extradition is governed by treaties that regulate cooperation in that field with the States Parties to the Convention. In accordance with article 16, paragraph 5 (a) we are therefore informing you to that effect.

       2. In accordance with article 18, paragraphs 13 and 14, the Republic of Yemen stipulates as follows:

       (a) Requests for mutual legal assistance or any communications related thereto shall be submitted through the diplomatic channels, which will transmit them to the relevant central authorities.

       (b) Requests for mutual legal assistance shall be submitted in writing, in the Arabic language.