Angola
Ad article 26: The Government of the People's Republic of Angola reserves the right to prescribe, transfer or circumscribe the place of residence of certain refugees or groups of refugees, and to restrict their freedom of movement, whenever considerations of national or international order make it advisable to do so.
Australia15
Austria16
Bahamas
Reservation: "Refugees and their dependants would normally be subjected to the same laws and regulations relating generally to the employment of non-Bahamians within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, so long as they have not acquired status in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas."
Belgium
Botswana
Brazil17
7 April 1972
Canada
Chile
China
Cyprus18
Denmark19
25 March 1968
Ecuador
Egypt
Clarifications (received on 24 September 1981): 1. Egypt formulated a reservation to article 12 (1) because it is in contradiction with the internal laws of Egypt. This article provides that the personal status of a refugee shall be governed by the law of the country of his domicile or, failing this, of his residence. This formula contradicts article 25 of the Egyptian civil code, which reads as follows: "The judge declares the applicable law in the case of persons without nationality or with more than one nationality at the same time. In the case of persons where there is proof, in accordance with Egypt, of Egyptian nationality, and at the same time in accordance with one or more foreign countries, of nationality of that country, the Egyptian law must be applied." The competent Egyptian authorities are not in a position to amend this article (25) of the civil code. 2. Concerning articles 20, 22 (paragraph 1), 23 and 24 of the Convention of 1951, the competent Egyptian authorities had reservations because these articles consider the refugee as equal to the national. We made this general reservation to avoid any obstacle which might affect the discretionary authority of Egypt in granting privileges to refugees on a case-by-case basis.
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland20
France
Gambia21
Georgia
Greece22
Guatemala23
Holy See
Honduras24
Reservations: (a) With respect to article 7: The Government of the Republic of Honduras understands this article to mean that it shall accord to refugees such facilities and treatment as it shall deem appropriate at its discretion, taking into account the economic, social, democratic and security needs of the country; (b) With respect to article 17: This article shall in no way be understood as limiting the application of the labour and civil service laws of the country, especially is so far as they refer to the requirements, quotas and conditions of work which an alien must fulfil in his employment; (e) With respect to article 34: The Government of the Republic of Honduras shall not be obligated to guarantee refugees more favourable naturalization facilities than those ordinarily granted to aliens in accordance with the laws of the country.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Ireland25
Israel
Italy26
Jamaica
Latvia
Liechtenstein27
Luxembourg
Upon signature: Subject to the following reservation: in all cases where this Convention grants to refugees the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country, this provision shall not be interpreted as necessarily involving the régime accorded to nationals of countries with which the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has concluded regional, customs, economic or political agreements.15 November 1984Interpretative statement: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg considers that the reservation made by the Republic of Guatemala concerning the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugee of 31 January 1967 does not affect the obligations of Guatemala deriving from those instruments.
15 November 1984
Interpretative statement: The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg considers that the reservation made by the Republic of Guatemala concerning the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugee of 31 January 1967 does not affect the obligations of Guatemala deriving from those instruments.
Madagascar
Malawi
Malta28
Mexico29
Interpretative declarations: It will always be the task of the Government of Mexico to determine and grant, in accordance with its legal provisions in force, refugee status, without prejudice to the definition of a refugee provided for under article 1 of the Convention and article 1 of its Protocol. The Government of Mexico has the power to grant refugees greater facilities for naturalization and assimilation than those accorded to aliens in general, within the framework of its population policy and, particularly, with regard to refugees, in accordance with its national legislation.
Reservations: The Government of Mexico is convinced of the importance of ensuring that all refugees can obtain wage-earning employment as a means of subsistence and affirms that refugees will be treated, in accordance with the law, under the same conditions as aliens in general, including the laws and regulations which establish the proportion of alien workers that employers are authorized to employ in Mexico, and this will not affect the obligations of employers with regard to the employment of alien workers. On the other hand, since the Government of Mexico is unable to guarantee refugees who meet any of the requirements referred to in article 17, paragraph 2 (a), (b) and (c), of the Convention, the automatic extension of the obligations for obtaining a work permit, it lodges an express reservation to these provisions. The Government of Mexico reserves the right to assign, in accordance with its national legislation, the place or places of residence of refugees and to establish the conditions for moving within the national territory, for which reason it lodges an express reservation to articles 26 and 31 (2) of the Convention.
Monaco
Mozambique
Reservations:
In respect of articles 13 and 22: The Government of Mozambique will take these provisions as simple recommendations not binding it to accord to refugees the same treatment as is accorded to Mozambicans with respect to elementary education and property.
In respect of articles 17 and 19: The Government of Mozambique will interpret [these provisions] to the effect that it is not required to grant privileges from obligation to obtain a work permit.
As regards article 15: The Government of Mozambique will not be bound to accord to refugees or groups of refugees resident in its territory more extensive rights than those enjoyed by nationals with respect to the right of association and it reserves the right to restrict them in the interest of national security.
As regards article 26: The Government of Mozambique reserves its right to designate place or places for principal residence for refugees or to restrict their freedom of movement whenever considerations of national security make it advisable.
As regards article 34: The Government of Mozambique does not consider itself bound to grant to refugees facilities greater than those granted to other categories of aliens in general, with respect to naturalization laws."
Namibia
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Reservation made upon signature and confirmed upon ratification: This signature is appended subject to the reservation that in all cases where this Convention grants to refugees the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country this provision shall not be interpreted as involving the régime accorded to nationals of countries with which the Netherlands has concluded regional, customs, economic or political agreements.
Declarations: (1) With reference to article 26 of this Convention, the Netherlands Government reserves the right to designate a place of principal residence for certain refugees or groups of refugees in the public interest. (2) In the notifications concerning overseas territories referred to in article 40, paragraph 2, of this Convention, the Netherlands Government reserves the right to make a declaration in accordance with section B of article 1 with respect to such territories and to make reservations in accordance with article 42 of the Convention.
Interpretative declaration: In depositing the instrument of ratification by the Netherlands, . . . I declare on behalf of the Netherlands Government that it does not regard the Amboinese who were transported to the Netherlands after 27 December 1949, the date of the transfer of sovereignty by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of the United States of Indonesia, as eligible for the status of refugees as defined in article 1 of the said Convention.
New Zealand
Norway30
Papua New Guinea31
Poland
Portugal32
13 July 1976
Republic of Korea33
Republic of Moldova
Declarations and reservations: “ ... with the following declarations and reservations: 1. According to paragraph 1, article 40 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova declares that, until the full restoration of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova, the provisions of this Convention are applicable only in the territory where the jurisdiction of the Republic of Moldova is exercised. 2. The Republic of Moldova shall apply the provisions of this convention with no discrimination generally not only as to race, religion or country of origin as stipulated in Article 3 of the Convention. 3. For the purposes of this Convention by the notion "residence"shall be understood the permanent and lawful domicile. 4. According to paragraph 1 of Article 42 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova reserves the right that the provisions of the Convention, according to which refugees shall be accorded treatment not less favorable than hat accorded aliens generally, are not interpreted as an obligation to offer refugees a regime similar to that accorded to the citizens of the states with which the Republic of Moldova has signed regional customs, economic, political and social security treaties. 5. According to paragraph 1 of Article 42 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova reserves the right to consider the provisions of Article 13 as recommendations and not as obligations. 6. According to paragraph 1 of Article 42 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova reserves the right to consider the provisions of Article 17 (2) as recommendations and not as obligations. 7. According to paragraph 1 of Article 42 of the Convention, the Republic of Moldova interprets the provisions of Article 21 of the Convention as not obliged to accord housing to refugees. 8. The Government of the Republic of Moldova reserves the right to apply the provisions of Article 24 so that they do not infringe upon the constitutional and domestic legislation provisions rerding the right to labor and social protection. 9. According to paragraph 1 of Article 42 of the Convention, in implementing Article 26 of this Convention, the Republic of Moldova reserves the right to establish the place of residence for certain refugees or groups of refugees in the interest of the state and society. 10. The Republic of Moldova shall apply the provisions of Article 31 of the Convention as of the date of the entry into force of the Law on Refugee Status.
Rwanda
Reservation to article 26: For reasons of public policy ( ordre public ), the Rwandese Re public reserves the right to determine the place of residence of refugees and to establish limits to their freedom of movement.
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Spain
Sudan
With reservation as to article 26.
Sweden34
With the following reservations: First, a general reservation to the effect that the application of those provisions of the Convention which grant to refugees the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country shall not be affected by the fact that special rights and privileges are now or may in future be accorded by Sweden to the nationals of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway or to the nationals of any one of those countries; and, secondly, the following reservations: ... a reservation to article 12, paragraph 1, to the effect that the Convention shall not modify the rule of Swedish private international law, as now in force, under which the personal status of a refugee is governed by the law of his country of nationality; ... a reservation to article 17, paragraph 2, to the effect that Sweden does not consider itself bound to grant a refugee who fulfils any one of the conditions set out in subparagraphs (a) - (c) an automatic exemption from the obligation to obtain a work permit; ... a reservation to article 24, paragraph 3, to the effect that the provisions of this paragraph shall not be binding on Sweden; and a reservation to article 25, to the effect that Sweden does not consider itself bound to cause a certificate to be delivered by a Swedish authority, in the place of the authorities of a foreign country, if the documentary records necessary for the delivery of such a certificate do not exist in Sweden.
Switzerland35
Timor-Leste
Declaration: “In conformity with Article 42 of the Covention, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste accedes to the Convention with reservations in respect of Articles 16 (2), 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24."
Türkiye
Upon signature: The Turkish Government considers moreover, that the term "events occurring before 1 January 1951" refers to the beginning of the events. Consequently, since the pressure exerted upon the Turkish minority in Bulgaria, which began before 1 January 1951, is still continuing, the provision of this Convention must also apply to the Bulgarian refugees of Turkish extraction compelled to leave that country as a result of this pressure and who, being unable to enter Turkey, might seek refuge on the territory of another contracting party after 1 January 1951. The Turkish Government will, at the time of ratification, enter reservations which it could make under article 42 of the Convention.
Reservation and declaration made upon ratification: No provision of this Convention may be interpreted as granting to refugees greater rights than those accorded to Turkish citizens in Turkey; The Government of the Republic of Turkey is not a party to the Arrangements of 12 May 1926 and of 30 June 1928 mentioned in article 1, paragraph A, of this Convention. Furthermore, the 150 persons affected by the Arrangement of 30 June 1928 having been amnestied under Act No.3527, the provisions laid down in this Arrangement are no longer valid in the case of Turkey. Consequently, the Government of the Republic of Turkey considers the Convention of 28 July 1951 independently of the aforementioned Arrangements . . . The Government of the Republic understands that the action of "re-availment" or "reacquisition" as referred to in article 1, paragraph C, of the Convention–that is to say: "If (1) He has voluntarily re-availed himself of the protection of the country of his nationality; or (2) Having lost his nationality, he has voluntarily reacquired it"–does not depend only on the request of the person concerned but also on the consent of the State in question.
Uganda
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Zambia
Zimbabwe
5 November 1984
10 January 1979
23 October 1984
[Same declaration, mutatis mutandis, as the one made by Belgium.]
Germany<superscript>6</superscript>
5 December 1984
Italy
26 November 1984
[For the interpretative statement by Luxembourg concerning the reservation by Guatemala, see under "Declarations other than those made under section B of article 1 and Reservations" in this chapter.]
11 December 1984
Regarding the reservation made by Guatemala upon accession: "The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is of the opinion that a reservation phrased in such general terms and referring to the domestic law only is undesirable, since its scope is not entirely clear."
Denmark
Netherlands (Kingdom of the)7
The extension is subject to the following reservations, which had been made in substance by the Government of the Netherlands upon ratification:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland8,18,21,36,37,38,39,41,42
"Subject to the following reservation in respect of paragraphs 2 and 3 of article 17 of the Convention:
Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifth Session, Supplement No. 20 (A/1775), p.48.
The former Yugoslavia had signed and ratified the Convention on 28 July 1951 and 15 December 1959, respectively declaring that it considered itself bound by alternative (b) of Section B(1) of the Convention.. See also note 1 under “Bosnia and Herzegovina”, “Croatia”, “former Yugoslavia”, “Slovenia”, “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” and “Yugoslavia” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
On 27 April 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General that the Convention would apply to Macau. Subsequently, on 18 November and 3 December 1999, the Secretary-General received communications concerning the status of Macao from the Governments of China and Portugal (see also note 3 under “China” and note 1 under “Portugal” regarding Macao in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume). Upon resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Macao, China notified the Secretary-General that the Convention with the reservation made by China will also apply to the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Czechoslovakia had acceeded to the Convention on 26 November 1991 declaring that it considered itself bound by alternative (b) of Section B (1) of the Convention. See also note 1 under “Czech Republic” and note 1 under “Slovakia” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
See note 1 under “Germany” regarding Berlin (West) in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
The German Democratic Republic had acceded to the Convention on 4 September 1990 choosing alternative (b) of Section B (1) of the Convention. See also note 2 under “Germany” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
Upon notifying its succession (29 November1978) the Government of Suriname informed the Secretary-General that the Republic of Suriname did not succeed to the reservations formulated on 29 July 1951 by the Netherlands when the Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees were extended to Suriname.
In a declaration contained in the notification of succession to the Convention, the Government of Tuvalu confirmed that it regards the Convention [. . .] as continuing in force subject to reservations previously made by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to the Colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
The instrument of accession was accompanied by the following communication:
"Having transmitted to the Secretary-General the Instrument of Accession of Ukraine simultaneously to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees, and in view of the fact that the Protocol provides in article I (2) that "the term ‘refugee' shall...mean any person within the definition of article 1 of the Convention as if the words ‘As result of events occurring before 1 anuary 1951 and...'and the words ‘...as a result of such events' in article 1 A (2) were omitted" and thus modifies in effect the provisions of article 1 of the Convention, it is the position of the Government of Ukraine that no separate declaration under article 1 B (1) of the Convention is required in the circumstances."
The formality was effected by the Yemen Arab Republic. See also note 1 under “Yemen” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
States having previously specified alternative (a) under section B (1) of article 1.
Notifications of the extension of their obligations under the Convention by adopting alternative (b) of section B (1) of article 1 of the Convention were received by the Secretary-General on the dates indicated:
On 21 January 1983, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Botswana the following communication:
"Having simultaneously acceded to the Convention and Protocol [relating to the status of refugees done at New York on 31January 1967] on the 6th January 1969 and in view of the fact that the Protocol provides in article I (2) that the term ‘refugee’ shall ...mean any person within the definition of article 1 of the Convention' as if the words `As a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and' . . . and the words `. . . as a result of such events', in article [I(A)(2)] were omitted and thus modifies in effect the provisions of article 1 of the Convention, it is the position of the Government of Botswana that no separate declaration under article 1.B(1) of the Convention is required in the circumstances."
On the basis of the afore-mentioned communication, the Secretary-General has included Botswana in the list of States having chosen formula (b) under section B of article 1.
Subsequently, in a communication, received by the Secretary-General on 29 April 1986, and with reference to article 1 B (1) of the above-mentioned Convention, the Government of Botswana confirmed that it has no objection to be listed among the States applying the Convention without any geographical limitation.
The instrument of accession contains the following declaration:
"... The mandatory declaration specifying which of the two meanings in Article 1 (B) (l) a Contracting State applies for the purpose of its obligations under the Convention has been superseded by the provisions of Article 1 of the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees of 31 January 1967. Furthermore, the previous date-line would render Malawi's accession nugatory.
"Consequently, and since [the Government of the Republic of Malawi] is simultaneously acceding to the said Protocol, the obligations hereby assumed by the Government of the Republic of Malawi are not limited by the previous dateline or bounded by the concomi tant geographic limitation in the Convention."
On the basis of the above declaration, the Secretary-General has included Malawi in the list of States having chosen formula (b) under sec tion B of article l.
Further, on 4 February 1988, the Secretary-General received the following declaration from the Government of Malawi:
"When making the declaration under Section B of article 1 of the Convention, the Government of the Republic of Malawi intended and intends to apply the Convention and the Protocol thereto liberally in the lines of article 1 of the Protocol without being bounded by the geographic limitation or the dateline specified in the Convention.
"In the view of the Government of the Republic of Malawi the formula in the Convention is static and the Government of the Republic of Malawi's position, as stated, merely seeks to assist in the progressive development of international law in this area as epitomised by the 1967 Protocol. It is therefore the view of the Government of the Republic of Malawi that the declaration is consistent with the objects and purposes of the Convention and it entails the assumption of obligation beyond but perfectly consistent with those of the Convention and the Protocol thereto."
In view of the said declaration, Malawi remains listed among those States which, in accordance with Section B of article 1 of the Convention, will apply the said Convention to events occurring in Europe or elsewhere before 1 January 1951.
In a communication received on 1 December 1967, the Government of Australia notified the Secretary-General of the withdrawal of the reservations to articles 17, 18, 19, 26 and 32, and, in a communication received by the Secretary-General on 11 March 1971, of the withdrawal of the reservation to paragraph 1 of article 28 of the Convention. For the text of those reservations, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol.189, p.202.
These reservations replace those made at the time of signature. For the text of reservations made on signature, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol.189, p.186.
On 7 April 1972, upon its accession to the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on 31 January 1967, the Government of Brazil withdraws its reservations excluding articles 15 and 17, paragraphs 1 and 3, from its application to the Convention. For the text of the said reservations, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 380, p.430.
On notifying its succession to the Convention, the Government of Cyprus confirmed the reservations made at the time of the extension of the Convention to its territory by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. For the text of these reservations, see "Declarations and reservations made upon notification of territorial application" under United Kingdom.
In a communication received on 23 August 1962, the Government of Denmark informed the Secretary-General of its decision to withdraw as from 1 October 1961 the reservation to article 14 of the Convention.
In a communication received on 25 March 1968, the Government of Denmark informed the Secretary-General of its decision to withdraw as from that date the reservations made on ratification to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of article 24 and partially the reservation made on ratification to article 17 by rewording the said reservation. For the text of the reservations originally formulated by the Government of Denmark on ratification, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol.189, p.198.
On 7 October 2004, the Government of Finland informed the Secretary-General of the following:
“WHEREAS the Instrument of Accession contained reservations, inter alia, to Article 7, paragraph 2; Article 8; Article 12, paragraph 1; Article 24, paragraph 1 (b) and paragraph 3; Article 25 and Article 28, paragraph 1 in the Convention;
NOW THEREFORE the Government of the Republic of Finland do hereby withdraw the said reservations, while the general reservation concerning nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and the reservation on Article 24, paragraph 3, will remain.”
The original reservations made upon accession, read as follows:
“[S]ubject to the following reservations: (1) A general reservation to the effect that the application of those provisions of the Convention which grant to refugees the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country shall not be affected by the fact that special rights and privileges are now or may in future be accorded by Finland to the nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden or to the nationals of any one of those Countries;
(2) A reservation to article 7, paragraph 2, to the effect that Finland is not prepared, as a general measure, to grant refugees who fulfil the conditions of three years residence in Finland an exemption from any legislative reciprocity which Finnish law may have stipulated as a condition governing an alien’s eligibility for same right or privilege;
(3) A reservation to article 8 to the effect that that article shall not be binding on Finland;
(4) A reservation to article 12, paragraph 1, to the effect that the Convention shall not modify the rule of Finnish private international law, as now in force, under which the personal status of a refugee is governed by the law of his country of nationality;
(5) A reservation to article 24, paragraph 1 (b) and paragraph 3 to the effect that they shall not be binding on Finland;
(6) A reservation to article 25,ffect that Finland does not consider itself bound to cause a certificate to be delivered by a Finnish authority, in the place of the authorities of a foreign country, if the documentary records necessary for the delivery of such certificate do not exist in Finland;
(7) A reservation with respect to the provisions contained in paragraph 1 of article 28. Finland does not accept the obligations stipulated in the said paragraph, but is prepared to recognize travel documents issued by other Contracting States pursuant to this article."
On notifying its succession to the Convention, the Government of Gambia confirmed the reservations made at the time of the extension of the Convention to its territory by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 19 April 1978, the Government of Greece declared that it withdrew the reservations that it had made upon ratification pertaining to articles 8, 11, 13, 24 (3), 26, 28, 31, 32 and 34, and also the objection contained in paragraph 6 of the relevant declaration of reservations by Greece is also withdrawn.
Subsequently, in a notification received on 27 February 1995, the Government of Greece notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw its reservation to article 17 made upon ratification. For the text of the reservations and objection so withdrawn, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 354, p.402.
In a communication received on 26 April 2007, the Government of the Republic of Guatemala notified the Secretary-General that it has decided to withdraw the reservation and declaration made upon accession to the Convention. The text of the reservation and declaration withdrawn reads as follows:
The Republic of Guatemala accedes to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol, with the reservation that it will not apply provisions of those instruments in respect of which the Convention allows reservations if those provisions contravene constitutional precepts in Guatemala or norms of public order under domestic law.
The expression "treatment as favourable as possible" in all articles of the Convention and of the Protocol in which the expression is used should be interpreted as not including rights which, under law or treaty, the Republic of Guatemala has accorded or is according to nationals of the Central American countries or of other countries with which it has concluded or is entering into agreements of a regional nature.
On 29 May 2013, the Government of Honduras informed the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw the following reservations to articles 24, 26 and 31 of the Convention made upon accession:
(c) With respect to article 24:
The Government of Honduras shall apply this article to the extent that it does not violate constitutional provisions governing labour, administrative or social security legislation in force in the country;
(d) With respect to articles 26 and 31:
The Government of Honduras reserves the right to designate, change or limit the place of residence of certain refugees or groups of refugees and to restrict their freedom of movement when national or international considerations so warrant;
In a communication received on 23 October 1968, the Government of Ireland notified the Secretary-General of the withdrawal of two of its reservations in respect of article 29 (1), namely those indicated at (a) and (b) of paragraph 5 of declarations and reservations contained in the instrument of accession by the Government of Ireland to the Convention; for the text of the withdrawn reservations, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 254, p.412.
In a communication received on 20 October 1964, the Government of Italy has notified the Secretary-General that "it withdraws the reservations made at the time of signature, and confirmed at the time of ratification, to articles 6, 7, 8, 19, 22, 23, 25 and 34 of the Convention [see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol.189, p. 192]. The above-mentioned reservations are inconsistent with the internal provisions issued by the Italian Government since the ratification of the Convention. The Italian Government also adopted in December 1963 provisions which implement the contents of paragraph 2 of article 17".
Furthermore, the Italian Government confirms that "it maintains its declaration made in accordance with section B (1) of article 1, and that it recognizes the provisions of articles 17 and 18 as recommendations only". (See also note 12 .)
Subsequently, in a communication received on 1 March 1990, the Government of Italy notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw the declaration by which the provisions of articles 17 and 18 were recognized by it as recommendations only. For the complete text of the reservations see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 189, p.192.
On 13 October 2009, the Government of Liechtenstein informed the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw the reservations concerning articles 17 and 24 of the Convention made upon Ratification. The texts of the reservations withdrawn read as follows:
Ad article 17: With respect to the right to engage in wage-earning employment, refugees are treated in law on the same footing as aliens in general, on the understanding, however, that the competent authorities shall make every effort insofar as possible, to apply to them the provisions of this article.
Ad article 24, paragraph 1(a) and (b), and paragraph 3: Provisions relating to aliens in general on training, apprenticeship, unemployment insurance, old-age and survivors insurance shall be applicable to refugees. Nevertheless, in the case of old-age and survivors insurance, refugees residing in Liechtenstein (including their survivors if the latter are considered as refugees) are already entitled to normal old-age or survivors’ benefits after paying their contributions for at least one full year, provided that they have resided in Liechtenstein for ten years – of which five years without interruption have immediately preceded the occurrence of the event insured against. Moreover, the one-third reduction in benefits provided in the case of aliens and stateless persons under article 74 of the Act on Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, is not applicable to refugees. Refugees residing in Liechtenstein who, on the occurrence of the event insured against, are not entitled to old-age or survivors’ benefits, are paid not only their own contributions but any contributions which may have been made by the employers.
The instrument of accession deposited by the Government of Malta was accompanied by the following reservation:
"Article 7, paragraph 2, articles 14, 23, 27 and 28 shall not apply to Malta, and article 7, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, articles 8, 9, 11, 17, 18, 31, 32 and 34 shall apply to Malta compatibly with its own special problems, its peculiar position and characteristics."
On 17 January 2002, the Secretary-General received the following communication from the Government of Malta:
"The Government of Malta.....hereby withdraws the reservations relating to article 7 (2), Articles 14, 27, 28, 7 (3)(4), (5), 8, 9, 17, 18, 31 and 32; ... and confirms that: “Article 23 shall not apply to Malta, and articles 11, and 34 shall apply to Malta compatibly and with its own special problems, its peculiar position and characteristics.” Further, on 24 February 2004, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Malta, the following communication:
[The Government of Malta] “declare that the Government of Malta, having reviewed the remaining reservations and declaration, hereby withdraws the reservations relating to Article 23, and the reservations in respect of Articles 11 and 34 wherein these applied to Malta compatibly with its own special problems, its peculiar positions and characteristics."
On 11 July 2014, the Government of Mexico notified the Secretary-General of the partial withdrawal of the reservation made upon accession. The portion of the reservation which has been withdrawn read as follows:
The Government of Mexico lodges an express reservation to article 32 of the Convention and, therefore refers to the application of article 33 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, without prejudice to observance of the principle of non-refoulement set forth in article 33 of the Convention.
In a communication received by the Secretary-General on 21 January 1954, the Government of Norway gave notice of the withdrawal, with immediate effect, of the reservation to article 24 of the Convention, "as the Acts mentioned in the said reservation have been amended to accord to refugees lawfully staying in the country the same treatment as is accorded to Norwegian nationals". For the text of that reservation, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol.189, p.198.
On 20 August 2013, the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea notified the Secretary-General, in accordance with article 42 (2) of the Convention, of its decision to partially withdraw its reservation made upon accession:
“… In accordance with article 42, paragraph 2 of the Convention, I wish to communicate to you that Papua New Guinea withdraws its reservation with respect to the provisions contained in articles 17 (1), 21, 22 (1), 26, 31, 32 and 34 of the Convention in relations to refugees transferred by the Government of Australia to Papua New Guinea and accepts the obligations stipulated in these articles in relation to such persons. This withdrawal has immediate effect. The reservation remains in effect for all other persons…”
The text, which was communicated in a notification received on 13 July 1976, replaces the reservations originally made by Portugal upon accession. For the text of the reservations withdrawn, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 383, p.314.
In a communication received on 1 September 2009, the Government of the Republic of Korea notified the Secretary-General that it has decided to withdraw the reservation in respect to article 7 made upon accession to the Convention as of 8 September 2009. The text of the reservation withdrawn reads as follows:
"The Republic of Korea declares pursuant to article 42 of the Convention that it is not bound by article 7 which provides for the exemption of refugees from legislative reciprocity after fulfilling the condition of three years' residence in the territory of the Contracting States."
In a communication received on 20 April 1961, the Government of Sweden gave notice of the withdrawal, as from 1 July 1961, of the reservation to article 14 of the Convention.
In a communication received on 25 November 1966, the Government of Sweden has notified the Secretary-General that it has decided, in accordance with paragraph 2 of article 42 of the Convention, to withdraw some of its reservations to article 24, paragraph 1 (b), by rewording them and to withdraw the reservation to article 24, paragraph 2.
In a communication received on 5 March 1970, the Government of Sweden notified the Secretary-General of the withdrawal of its reservation to article 7, paragraph 2, of the Convention.
For the text of the reservations as originally formulated by the Government of Sweden upon ratification, see United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 200, p. 336.
On 14 November 2019, the Government of Sweden notified the Secretary-General of its decision to withdraw its reservations to article 8 and to paragraph 1 (b) of article 24. The reservations that have been withdrawn read as follows: a reservation to article 8 to the effect that that article shall not be binding on Sweden; a reservation to article 24, paragraph 1 (b), to the effect that notwithstanding the principle of national treatment for refugees, Sweden shall not be bound to accord to refugees the same treatment as is accorded to nationals in respect of the possibility of entitlement to a national pension under the provisions of the National Insurance Act; and likewise to the effect that, in so far as the right to a supplementary pension under the said Act and the computation of such pension in certain respects are concerned, the rules applicable to Swedish nationals shall be more favourable than those applied toother insured persons.
In a communication received on 18 February 1963, the Government of Switzerland gave notice to the Secretary-General of the withdrawal of the reservation made at the time of ratification to article 24, paragraph 1 (a) and (b) and paragraph 3, of the Convention, in so far as that reservation concerns old-age and survivors' insurance.
In a communication received on 3 July 1972, the Government of Switzerland gave notice of its withdrawal of the reservation to article 17 formulated in its instrument of ratification of the Convention.
In a communication received on 17 December 1980, the Government of Switzerland gave notice of its withdrawal, in its entirety, of the subsisting reservation formulated in respect of article 24, number 1, letters a and b, which encompasses training, apprenticeship and unemployment insurance with effect from 1 January 1981, date of entry into force of the Swiss Law on Asylum of 5 October 1979. For the text of the reservations made initially, see United Nations, Treaty Series , vol. 202, p. 368.
See succession by Jamaica.
See succession by Kenya.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary-General on 22 March 1968, the President of the Republic of Malawi, referring to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, done at Geneva on 28 July 1951, stated the following:
"In my letter to you of the 24th November 1964, concerning the disposition of Malawi's inherited treaty obligations, my Government declared that with respect to multilateral treaties which had been applied or extended to the former Nyasaland Protectorate, any Party to such a treaty could on the basis of reciprocity rely as against Malawi on the terms of such treaty until Malawi notified its depositary of what action it wished to take by way of confirmation of termination, confirmation of succession, or accession.
"I am now to inform you as depositary of this Convention that the Government of Malawi wishes to terminate any connection with this Convention which it might have inherited. The Government of Malawi considers that any legal relationship with the aforementioned Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, Geneva, 1951 which might have devolved upon it by way of succession from the ratification of the United Kingdom, is terminated as of this date."
See succession by Zambia.
See succession by Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland Protectorate).
On 3 October 1983, the Secretary-General received from the Government of Argentina the following objection :
[The Government of Argentina makes a] formal objection to the declaration of territorial extension issued by the United Kingdom with regard to the Malvinas Islands (and dependencies), which that country is illegally occupying and refers to as the "Falkland Islands".
The Argentine Republic rejects and considers null and void the [declaration] of territorial extension.
With reference to the above-mentioned objection the Secretary-General received, on 28 February 1985, from the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland the following declaration:
"The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have no doubt as to their right, by notification to the Depositary under the relevant provisions of the above-mentioned Convention, to extend the application of the Convention in question to the Falkland Islands or to the Falkland Islands Dependencies, as the case may be.
For this reason alone, the Government of the United Kingdom are unable to regard the Argentine [communication] under reference as having any legal effect."
See note 1 under “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” in the “Historical Information” section in the front matter of this volume.
See succession by Fiji.