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Afghanistan

Reservation:

       “... the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan registers its reservation in relation to Article 18 of the said Protocol.”

Algeria

Reservations:

       The Government of the Algerian People's Democratic Republic does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 20, paragraph 2, of this Protocol, which provides that any dispute between two or more States concerning the interpretation or application of the said Protocol that cannot be settled through negotiation shall, at the request of one of those States, be submitted to arbitration or referred to the International Court of Justice.

       The Government of the Algerian People's Democratic Republic believes that any dispute of this kind can only be submitted to arbitration or referred to the International Court of Justice with the consent of all parties to the dispute.

Declarations:

       Ratification of this Protocol by the Algerian People's Democratic Republic in no way signifies recognition of Israel.

       Such ratification cannot be construed as leading to the establishment of any kind of relations with Israel.

Azerbaijan

Declaration:

       "The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it is unable to guarantee the application of the provisions of the Protocol 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 20 of the Protocol, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of Article 20."

Bahamas

Reservation:

       “In accordance with Article 20 paragraph 3, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas enters a specific reservation to the procedure established under Article 20 paragraph 2 of the Protocol on the basis that referral of a dispute concerning the application or interpretation of the provisions of the Protocol 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 20 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.”

Belarus7

31 July 2023

Interpretative declaration:

       “The Republic of Belarus proceeds from the assumption that the provisions of paragraphs 2 – 4 of Article 20 of the Protocol shall be interpreted in good faith as not binding for the States Parties to the Protocol with the obligations to settle disputes in the International Court of Justice with that State Party to the Protocol which withdraws its reservation on non-recognition of its jurisdiction, in situations when disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Protocol have arisen from and/or become the subject of peaceful settlement, inter alia through negotiations and/or arbitration, before, on, or immediately after the withdrawal of such a reservation”.

13 November 2023

       On 13 November 2023, the Secretary-General received a communication from the Republic of Belarus in regard to its Interpretative Declaration concerning Article 20 of the Protocol.

       See C.N.473.2023.TREATIES-XVIII.12.b dated 16 November 2023 for the text of the communication.

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.

Cuba

Declaration:

       The Republic of Cuba declares that, in accordance with the provisions of Article 20, paragraph 3 of the Protocol, it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of that Article.

Ecuador

Declaration and reservation:

       With regard to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, the Government of Ecuador declares that migrants are the victims of illicit trafficking in persons on the part of criminal organizations whose only goal is unjust and undue enrichment at the expense of persons wishing to perform honest work abroad.

       The provisions of the Protocol must be understood in conjunction with the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1990, and with current international instruments on human rights.

       Exercising the powers referred to in article 20, paragraph 3, of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, the Government of Ecuador makes a reservation with regard to article 20, paragraph 2, relating to the settlement of disputes.

El Salvador

Upon signature:

       Reservation:

       The Government of the Republic of El Salvador does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of article 20, inasmuch as it does not recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.  With regard to article 9, paragraph 2, it hereby declares that only in the event of the revision of criminal judgements shall the State, in keeping with its domestic legislation, by law compensate the victims of judicial errors that have been duly proved.  With regard to article 18, it states that the return of smuggled migrants shall take place to the extent possible and within the means of the State.

Upon ratification:

       Reservation:

       With regard to article 20, paragraph 3, the Government of the Republic of El Salvador does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of this article, inasmuch as it does not recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

       Declarations:

       With regard to article 9, paragraph 2, it hereby declares that only in the event of the revision of criminal judgements shall the State, in keeping with its domestic legislation, by law compensate the victims of judicial errors that have been duly proved.

       With regard to article 18, it states that the return of smuggled migrants shall take place to the extent possible and within the means of the State.

Ethiopia

Reservation:

       Ethiopia does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice which is provided under Article 20(2) of the said Protocol.

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 derivedfrom 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, OJ L 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.

6 September 2006

Declaration:

       "Article 21 (3) of the Protocol provides that the instrument of accession of a regional economic integration organisation shall contain a declaration specifying the matters governed by the Protocol in respect of which competence has been transferred to the organisation by its Member States which are Parties to the Protocol.

       The Protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, air and sea shall apply, with regard to the competences transferred to the European 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 and the Protocols annexed to it.

       This declaration is without prejudice to the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland under the Protocol integrating the Schengen acquis into the framework of the European Union and under the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community.

       This declaration is equally without prejudice to the position of Denmark under the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community.

       Pursuant to Article 299, this declaration is also 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 Protocol by the Member States concerned on behalf of and in the interests of those territories.  In accordance with the provision referred to above, this declaration indicates the competence that the Member States have transferred to the Community under the Treaties in matters governed by the Protocol.  The scope and the exercise of such Community competence are, by their nature, subject to continuous development as the Communityfurther adopts relevant rules and regulations, and the Community will complete or amend this declaration, if necessary, in accordance with Article 21 (3) of the Protocol.

       The Community points out that it has competence with regard to the crossing of external borders of the Member States, regulating standards and procedures when carrying out checks on persons at such borders and rules on visas for intended stays of no more than three months.  The Community is also competent for measures on immigration policy regarding conditions of entry and residence and measures to counter illegal immigration and illegal residence, including repatriation of illegal residents.  Moreover, it can take measures to ensure cooperation between the relevant departments of the administrations of the Member States, as well as between those departments and the Commission, in the aforementioned areas.  In these fields the Community has adopted rules and regulations and, where it has done so, it is hence solely for the Community to enter into external undertakings with third States or competent international organisations.

       In addition, Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation complements policies pursued by Member States and includes provisions to prevent and combat smuggling of migrants."

Greece

Reservation:

       “Article 13 of the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, without prejudice to Articles 9A of the Constitution, 19(3) of the Constitution, 8(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights, 436-457 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and 352B of the Criminal Code, as added by Article Second (12) of Law 3625/2007 (Government Gazette 290A), Law 2472/1997, as amended by Articles 8 of Law 2819/2000 (Government Gazette 84A), 10 of Law 3090/2002 (Government Gazette 329A) and Eighth of Law 3625/2007, Law 3471/2006 (Government Gazette 133A) and Presidential Decree 47/2005 (Government Gazette 64A).

       The Greek State makes use of Article 20(3) of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, and declares that it is not bound by para. 2 of this article.”

Indonesia

Declaration:

       "..., the Government of the Republic of Indonesia conveys her declaration on the provision of Article 6 paragraph (2) subparagraph c, Article 9 paragraph (1) subparagraph a, and Article 9 paragraph (2) of the Protocol [which] will have to be implemented in strict compliance with the principles of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a state;"

Reservation:

       "..., the Government of the Republic of Indonesia conveys her reservation not to be bound by the provision of Article 20 (2) and takes the position that disputes relating to the interpretation and application on the Protocol 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 concern of all Parties to the dispute;"

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Reservation:

       "In accordance with paragraph 3, Article 20 of the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, the Lao People's Democratic Republic does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2, Article 20 of the present Protocol.  The Lao People's Democratic Republic declares that to refer a dispute relating to interpretation and application of the present Protocol to arbitration or the International Court of Justice, the agreement of all parties concerned in the dispute is necessary."

Malawi

Declarations:

       "The Government of the Republic of Malawi in its efforts to curb and stamp out offences related to trafficking in persons especially women and children has embarked upon various social and legal reforms to incorporate obligations emanating from this Protocol;

       Further, expressly declares its acceptance of Article 20 (2) on settlement of disputes concerning interpretation and application of this Protocol in consonant with Article 20 (3)."

Myanmar

Reservation:

       "The Government of the Union of Myanmar wishes to express reservation on Article 20 and does not consider itself bound by obligations to refer disputes relating to the interpretation or application of this Protocol to the International Court of Justice."

Republic of Moldova

Reservation and declaration :

       In accordance with paragraph 3 of article 20 of the Protocol, the Republic of Moldova does not consider itself bound by provisions of the paragraph 2 of article 20 of the Protocol.

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

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 20 (2) of the Protocol which provides for the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in differences arising out of the interpretation or application of the Protocol.  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."

Sudan

Reservation:

       “... the Government of the Republic of Sudan, in accordance with Article (20) Paragraph (3), does not consider itself bound by the provisions of Article (20) Paragraph (2) of the Protocol.”

Syrian Arab Republic

Reservation:

       The Syrian Arab Republic expresses a reservation about the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, article 20, paragraph 2.

Declaration:

       … The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic is not a party to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees referred to in the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, article [19], paragraph 1.

Tunisia

Reservation:

       In ratifying the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 15 November 2000, declares that it does not consider itself bound by article 20, paragraph 2, of the Protocol and affirms that disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Protocol may be referred to the International Court of Justice only after it has given its prior consent.

United States of America

Reservation:

       "(1) The United States of America criminalizes most but not all forms of attempts to commit the offenses established in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 1 of this Protocol.  With respect to the obligation under Article 6, Paragraph 2 (a), the United States of America reserves the right to criminalize attempts to commit the conduct described in Article 6, paragraph 1 (b), to the extent that under its laws such conduct relates to false or fraudulent passports and other specified identity documents, constitutes fraud or the making of a false statement, or constitutes attempted use of a false or fraudulent visa.

       (2) In accordance with Article 20, paragraph 3, the United States of America declares that it does not consider itself bound by the obligation set forth in Article 20, paragraph 2.".

Understanding:

       "The United States of America understands the obligation to establish the offenses in the Protocol as money laundering predicate offenses, in light of Article 6, paragraph 2 (b) of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, as requiring States Parties whose money laundering legislation sets forth a list of specific predicate offenses to include in such list a comprehensive range of offenses associated with smuggling of migrants."

Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Reservation:

       The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in accordance with the provision of article 20 (3) of the Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, formulates a reservation with respect to the provision established under paragraph 2 of the said article. Consequently, it does not consider itself obligated to refer to arbitration as a means of settlement of disputes, nor does it recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Austria

18 August 2017

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “The Government of Austria has carefully examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan upon accession to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       By seeking to exclude the application of Article 18 of the Protocol in its entirety, the reservation contravenes the purpose of the Protocol, namely to protect the rights of migrants and to promote cooperation among States Parties. It generally excludes a central issue the Protocol intends to govern.

       Austria therefore considers the reservation to be incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol and objects to it. This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between Austria and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Protocol will thus become operative between the two States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefitting from the aforementioned reservation.”

Bulgaria

19 January 2018

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “The Republic of Bulgaria has carefully examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan upon accession to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted in New York on 15 November 2000, which states that ‘... the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan registers its reservation in relation to Article 18 of the said Protocol.’

       The Republic of Bulgaria considers that the exclusion of the application of Article 18 of the Protocol as a whole places an obstacle to the sufficient implementation of the obligations laid down therein concerning the return of smuggled migrants, thus affecting the efficient cooperation among States Parties to the Protocol. Therefore, we consider that the aforementioned reservation to Article 18 is incompatible with the object and the purpose of the Protocol.

       According to the aforesaid, the Republic of Bulgaria objects to the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan concerning Article 18 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       However, the Republic of Bulgaria specifies that this objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefitting from its reservation.”

Czech Republic

26 September 2017

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       The Government of the Czech Republic has examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on February 2, 2017, upon accession to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in which the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan registered its reservation in relation to its Article 18.

       The Government of the Czech Republic considers the reservation to Article 18 of the said Protocol to be incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol, since, in the opinion of the Government of the Czech Republic, Article 18 forms an essential element of the Protocol and the general derogation from it impairs the raison d'être of the Protocol.

       According to Article 19 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, a reservation which is incompatible with the object and purpose of a treaty is not permissible.

       Therefore, the Government of the Czech Republic objects to the aforementioned reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between the Czech Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefitting from its reservation.

Finland

10 October 2017

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “The Government of Finland has carefully examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan concerning the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       In view of the Government of Finland, the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Article 18 of the Protocol is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol. The reservation purports to exclude in its entirety the operation of an Article regulating the return of smuggled migrants. This is a central Article of the Protocol, whose very purpose is to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants and to promote cooperation among States Parties to that end. According to Article 19 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and customary international law reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty shall not be permitted.

       Therefore, the Government of Finland objects to the aforesaid reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This objection does not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between Finland and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Protocol is thus operative between the two States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefitting from its reservation.”

Greece

2 February 2018

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “The Government of the Hellenic Republic has examined the reservation formulated by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan upon accession to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in relation to Article 18 of the said Protocol. Article 18 which regulates the return of smuggled migrants constitutes an essential element of the Protocol necessary to its general tenour. By seeking to exclude the application of this Article in its entirety, the reservation contravenes the purpose of the Protocol which, according to Article 2 thereof, is to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants and to promote cooperation among States Parties to that end, while protecting the rights of smuggled migrants, and impairs its raison d'être.

       The Government of the Hellenic Republic considers this reservation to be incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol and would like to recall that according to customary international law, as codified in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol is impermissible.

       Therefore, the Government of the Hellenic Republic objects to the above reservation formulated by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This objection shall not preclude, however, the entry into force of the Protocol between the Hellenic Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Protocol will thus become operative between the two States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefiting from the reservation.”

Italy

1 February 2018

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “The Italian Republic has carefully examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on February [2], 2017 to the Protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against transnational organized crime.

       The Italian Republic considers that the reservation to article 18 of the Protocol seeks to exclude the application of one of the main provisions of the Protocol regarding the return of smuggled migrants, whose purpose is to protect the rights of migrants and to promote cooperation among States Parties.

       The Italian Republic considers that the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan regarding article 18 of the Protocol against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against transnational organized crime is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol and therefore objects to it.

       This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Italian Republic.”

Mexico

1 February 2018

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       The Government of the United Mexican States has examined the reservation made the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan upon accession to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       The reservation, which intends to exclude in its entirety the legal effects of article 18 of the Protocol, contravenes the object and purpose thereof. Therefore, the reservation is not permissible under article 19 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

       This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United Mexican States. The Protocol will thus become operative between the two States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefitting from the aforementioned reservation.

Norway

16 January 2018

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “… the Government of Norway has examined the reservation made by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in relation to Article 18 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       Article 18 governs a central element of the Protocol, namely return of smuggled migrants. By declaring itself not bound by this provision, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan purports to exclude a central issue the Protocol intends to govern. This reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention, and the reservation shall in accordance with Article 19 litra c of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties not be permitted.

       The Government of Norway therefore objects to the reservation by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between the Government of Norway and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Protocol is thus operative between the two States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefitting from its reservation…”

Portugal

22 January 2018

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       “The Government of the Portuguese Republic has examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan upon accession to the Protocol Against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, New York 15 November 2000.

       The Government of the Portuguese Republic considers that the reservation, which seeks to exclude Article 18, is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Protocol due to the fact that said Article constitute and essential part of the Protocol, as it represents the compromise of the State in fulfilling its obligations under said Protocol and is crucial in order to regulate the return of smuggled migrants.

       The Government of the Portuguese Republic recalls that according to Article 19, subparagraph c) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention shall not be permitted. The Government of the Portuguese Republic thus objects to this reservation.

       This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Additional Protocol between the Portuguese Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”

Slovakia

16 November 2017

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       "The Government of the Slovak Republic has carefully examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan upon its accession to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

       By excluding Article 18 of the said Protocol, the reservation seeks to exclude a central issue the Protocol intends to govern, namely the protection of the rights of smuggled migrants and promotion of cooperation among States Parties. The reservation is incompatible with the object and the purpose of the Protocol and therefore inadmissible under Article 19 (c) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

       For these reasons, the Government of the Slovak Republic raises an objection to the aforementioned reservation. This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Protocol between the Slovak Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Protocol will thus become operative between the two States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan benefiting from its reservation."

Spain

26 December 2017

With regard to the reservation made by Afghanistan upon accession:

       The Kingdom of Spain has carefully examined the reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in relation to article 18 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime at the time of its accession to the Protocol. The reservation made by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is not admissible under article 19 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties as there is no provision for such a reservation in the Protocol and because it is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Treaty (article 19(c)). The reservation is intended to exclude completely the application of an article regulating the return of smuggled migrants. The article concerned is fundamental to the Protocol, the purpose of which is to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants as well as to promote cooperation among States parties to that end. Thus, the Protocol shall enter into force between both States without the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan being able to benefit from the reservation made.

Armenia

26 March 2012

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

       Name of Authority: Police of the Republic of Armenia

       Full postal address: str. Nalbandyan 130

       Yerevan 0025

       Name of service to be contacted: General Department on Combat against Organized Crime

       Name of person to be contacted: Mr. Armen Petrosyan

       Title: Police Major, Head of Division on Combat against Illegal Migration

       Telephone: +374 10 523 749

       Fax: +374 10 564 772

       Email: armpet777@mail.ru

       Office Hours: 09:00 to 18:00

       Lunch breaks: from 13:00 to 14:00

       GMT: +4

       Languages: 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 6 of Article 8 of the Protocol, the Republic of Azerbaijan declares that the Ministry of Transport is designated as an authority to receive and respond to requests for assistance, for conformation of registry or of the right of a vessel to fly its flag and for authorization to take appropriate measures."

Czech Republic

       "Without prejudice to Article 18 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the notification of the Czech Republic made in accordance with Article 18, paragraph 13 thereof, the Czech Republic notifies, in accordance with Article 8, paragraph 6 of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention  against Transnational Organized Crime, the Police Presidium of the Czech Republic, International Police Cooperation Division as the authority responsible for receiving requests for assistance, for confirmation of registry or of the right of a vessel to fly its flag and for authorization to take appropriate measures and to respond thereto.

       Contact details:

       Police Presidium of the Czech Republic

       International Police Cooperation Division

       P.O. BOX 62/MPS

       Strojnickà 27

       170 89 Praha 7

       Czech Republic

       Telephone number : +420 974 834 380

       Fax number: +420 974 834 716, +420 974 834 718

       Email address: interpol@mvcr.cz

       24-hour service

       Working languages in order of preference: Czech, English, French"

Finland

       "In Finland the authorities responsible for suppressing the use of vessels for smuggling of migrants by sea are the Border Guard and the National Bureau of Investigation.  The authority responsible for responding to a request concerning confirmation of registry or the right of a vessel to fly the flag is the Finnish Maritime Administration."

Guatemala

2 July 2007

Notification under article 8 (6) of the Protocol:

       In accordance with article 8, paragraph 6 of the Protocol, the Government of the Republic of Guatemala has designated 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.

       In addition to the central authorities referred to above, the Government of the Republic of Guatemala has designated the Ministry of Defence, through the Navy, as the authority to receive and respond to requests for assistance, for confirmation of registry or of the right of a vessel to fly the Guatemalan flag and for authorization to take appropriate measures.

Italy

17 February 2009

       “…..the Italian Ministry of Infrastructures and Transportations has designated the “Comando Generale del Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto” (Port Authority Headquarters) as the competent authority to receive and respond to requests for assistance, confirmation of registry or the right of a vessel to fly its flag, and authorization to take appropriate measures.”

       Furthermore, on 17 March 2009, the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations informed the Secretary-General of the following:

       "... a correction has been made to the English translation of the “Comando Generale del Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto” from “Port Authority Headquarters” to “Italian Coast Guard Headquarters”as the competent authority to receive and respond to requests for assistance, confirmation of registry or the right of a vessel to fly its flag, and authorization to take appropriate measures.”

Liechtenstein

22 October 2013

       National Police

       Crime Investigation Division

       Gewerbeweg 4

       P.O. Box 684

       9490 Vaduz

       Principality of Liechtenstein

       Phone: +423 236 79 79 (24 hours)

       Fax: +423 236 79 70

       E-Mail: kripo@landespolizei.li, ipk.lp@llv.li

       Languages: German, English

       Office hours: 08:30 - 16:30

       GMT: +1

       Request by Interpol: yes

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

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”

Peru

4 June 2014

       Notification under article 8 (6):

       Authority:

       Javier Moscoso Flores

       Director General of the Dirección General de Capitanías y Guardacostas, Peru

       Email: jorge.moscoso@dicapi.mil.pe.

Romania

       “In accordance with Article 8 paragraph 6 of the supplementing Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, the Romanian central authority designated to receive the requests for assistance is the Ministry of Public Works, Transports and Housing (Blvd. Dinicu Golescu nr. 38, sector 1 Bucuresti, tel. 223 29 81/fax,223 0272).”

South Africa

       "AND WHEREAS the Secretary-General is hereby notified, in accordance with Article 8 (6) of the Protocol, that the Director-General of the Department of Transport has been designated as the authority to receive and respond to requests for assistance in terms of the Protocol."

Sweden

       "Pursuant to Article 8 (6) of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Sweden designates the Ministry of Justice, as central authority to receive and respond to requests for assistance referred to in this article.

       Furthermore, the Swedish Coast Guard is a designated authority to respond to requests of the right of a vessel to fly a Swedish flag.  Such requests should be addressed to:

       NCC (National Contact Centre) Sweden at Coast Guard HQ

       P.O.Box 536

       S-371 23 KARLSKRONA

       Sweden

       Phone: + 46 455 35 35 35 (24 hours)

       Fax: + 46 455 812 75 (24 hours)

       E-mail:ncc.sweden@coastguard.se (24 hours)."

United Republic of Tanzania

23 June 2006

       ".....the notification of the designation of the necessary authority or authorities to receive and respond to request for assistance, for confirmation of registry or of the right of a vessel to fly its flag and for authorization to take appropriate measures under article 8 (6) of the Protocol:

       Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation P.O. Box 9000

       Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.