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...
Recognizing the ever-increasing importance of
treaties as a source of international law and as a means of developing peaceful
co-operation among nations, whatever their constitutional
and social systems,
...
...
Affirming that disputes concerning treaties, like
other international disputes, should be settled by peaceful
means and in conformity with the principles of justice
and international law,
...
...
Recalling the determination of the peoples of the United Nations to establish
conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from
treaties can be maintained,
...
...
Believing that the codification and progressive
development of the law of treaties achieved in the present Convention will promote
the purposes of the United Nations set forth in the Charter, namely, the maintenance
of international peace and security, the development of friendly relations and
the achievement of co-operation among nations,
...
ARTICLE-1: Scope of the present Convention [go to this ARTICLE]
ARTICLE-2: Use of terms [go to this ARTICLE]
... (a) “treaty” means an international agreement concluded
between States in written form and governed by international
law, whether embodied in a single instrument or in
two or more related instruments and whatever its particular
designation; ...
... (b) “ratification”, “acceptance”, “approval”
and “accession” mean in each case the international
act so named whereby a State establishes on the international
plane its consent to be bound by a treaty; ...
... (c) “'full powers”' means a document emanating
from the competent authority of a State designating
a person or persons to represent the State for negotiating,
adopting or authenticating the text of a treaty, for expressing
the consent of the State to be bound by a treaty, or for accomplishing
any other act with respect to a treaty; ...
... (c) “'full powers”' means a document emanating
from the competent authority of a State designating
a person or persons to represent the State for negotiating,
adopting or authenticating the text of a treaty, for expressing
the consent of the State to be bound by a treaty, or for accomplishing
any other act with respect to a treaty; ...
... (c) “'full powers”' means a document emanating
from the competent authority of a State designating
a person or persons to represent the State for negotiating,
adopting or authenticating the text of a treaty, for expressing
the consent of the State to be bound by a treaty, or for accomplishing
any other act with respect to a treaty; ...
... (d) “'reservation”' means a unilateral statement,
however phrased or named, made by a State, when signing,
ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to a treaty,
whereby it purports to exclude or to modify the legal
effect of certain provisions of the treaty in their application to
that State; ...
... (d) “'reservation”' means a unilateral statement,
however phrased or named, made by a State, when signing,
ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to a treaty,
whereby it purports to exclude or to modify the legal
effect of certain provisions of the treaty in their application to
that State; ...
... (e) “'negotiating State”' means a State which took
part in the drawing up and adoption of the text of
the treaty; ...
... (f) “'contracting State”' means a State which has
consented to be bound by the treaty, whether or not
the treaty has entered into force; ...
... (f) “'contracting State”' means a State which has
consented to be bound by the treaty, whether or not
the treaty has entered into force; ...
... (g) “'party”' means a State which has consented
to be bound by the treaty and for which the treaty
is in force; ...
... (g) “'party”' means a State which has consented
to be bound by the treaty and for which the treaty
is in force; ...
ARTICLE-4: Non-retroactivity of the present Convention [go to this ARTICLE]
... Without prejudice to the application of any rules
set forth in the present Convention to which treaties
would be subject under international law independently
of the Convention, the Convention applies only to treaties which
are concluded by States after the entry into force of the present Convention
with regard to such States. ...
... Without prejudice to the application of any rules
set forth in the present Convention to which treaties
would be subject under international law independently
of the Convention, the Convention applies only to treaties which
are concluded by States after the entry into force of the present Convention
with regard to such States. ...
ARTICLE-5: Treaties constituting international organizations and treaties adopted within
an international organization [go to this ARTICLE]
... Treaties constituting international organizations and treaties adopted within
an international organization ...
... Treaties constituting international organizations and treaties adopted within
an international organization ...
... The present Convention applies to any treaty which
is the constituent instrument of an international organization
and to any treaty adopted within an international organization
without prejudice to any relevant rules of the organization.
...
... The present Convention applies to any treaty which
is the constituent instrument of an international organization
and to any treaty adopted within an international organization
without prejudice to any relevant rules of the organization.
...
ARTICLE-6: Capacity of States to conclude treaties [go to this ARTICLE]
ARTICLE-7: Full powers [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. A person is considered as representing a State
for the purpose of adopting or authenticating the text
of a treaty or for the purpose of expressing the consent
of the State to be bound by a treaty if: ...
... 1. A person is considered as representing a State
for the purpose of adopting or authenticating the text
of a treaty or for the purpose of expressing the consent
of the State to be bound by a treaty if: ...
... (a) Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for
Foreign Affairs, for the purpose of performing all
acts relating to the conclusion of a treaty; ...
... (b) heads of diplomatic missions, for the purpose of adopting
the text of a treaty between the accrediting State
and the State to which they are accredited; ...
... (c) representatives accredited by States to an international
conference or to an international organization or one
of its organs, for the purpose of adopting the text
of a treaty in that conference, organization or organ. ...
ARTICLE-8: Subsequent confirmation of an act performed without
authorization [go to this ARTICLE]
... An act relating to the conclusion of a treaty
performed by a person who cannot be considered under
article 7 as authorized to represent a State for that
purpose is without legal effect unless afterwards confirmed by that State. ...
ARTICLE-9: Adoption of the text [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. The adoption of the text of a treaty takes
place by the consent of all the States participating
in its drawing up except as provided in paragraph 2.
2. The adoption of the text of a treaty at an international
conference takes place by the vote of two-thirds of the
States present and voting, unless by the same majority
they shall decide to apply a different rule. ...
... 1. The adoption of the text of a treaty takes
place by the consent of all the States participating
in its drawing up except as provided in paragraph 2.
2. The adoption of the text of a treaty at an international
conference takes place by the vote of two-thirds of the
States present and voting, unless by the same majority
they shall decide to apply a different rule. ...
ARTICLE-10: Authentication of the text [go to this ARTICLE]
... (b) failing such procedure, by the signature, signature ad
referendum or initialling by the representatives of those States of the
text of the treaty or of the Final Act of a conference incorporating the text.
...
ARTICLE-11: Means of expressing consent to be bound by a treaty [go to this ARTICLE]
... Means of expressing consent to be bound by a treaty ...
... The consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
may be expressed by signature, exchange of instruments
constituting a treaty, ratification, acceptance, approval
or accession, or by any other means if so agreed. ...
... The consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
may be expressed by signature, exchange of instruments
constituting a treaty, ratification, acceptance, approval
or accession, or by any other means if so agreed. ...
ARTICLE-12: Consent to be bound by a treaty expressed by signature [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. The consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
is expressed by the signature of its representative when: ...
... (a) the initialling of a text constitutes a signature of
the treaty when it is established that the negotiating
States so agreed; ...
... (b) the signature ad referendum of a treaty by a representative,
if confirmed by his State, constitutes a full signature of the treaty. ...
... (b) the signature ad referendum of a treaty by a representative,
if confirmed by his State, constitutes a full signature of the treaty. ...
ARTICLE-13: Consent to be bound by a treaty expressed by an
exchange of instruments constituting a treaty [go to this ARTICLE]
... Consent to be bound by a treaty expressed by an
exchange of instruments constituting a treaty ...
... Consent to be bound by a treaty expressed by an
exchange of instruments constituting a treaty ...
... The consent of States to be bound by a treaty
constituted by instruments exchanged between them is
expressed by that exchange when: ...
ARTICLE-14: Consent to be bound by a treaty expressed by ratification,
acceptance or approval [go to this ARTICLE]
... (d) the intention of the State to sign the treaty subject
to ratification appears from the full powers of its
representative or was expressed during the negotiation. ...
... 2. The consent of a State to be bound by a treaty is expressed
by acceptance or approval under conditions similar to
those which apply to ratification. ...
ARTICLE-15: Consent to be bound by a treaty expressed by accession [go to this ARTICLE]
... (a) the treaty provides that such consent may be expressed
by that State by means of accession; ...
ARTICLE-16: Exchange or deposit of instruments of ratification,
acceptance, approval or accession [go to this ARTICLE]
... Unless the treaty
otherwise provides, instruments of ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession establish the consent of a State to be bound
by a treaty upon: ...
... Unless the treaty
otherwise provides, instruments of ratification, acceptance,
approval or accession establish the consent of a State to be bound
by a treaty upon: ...
ARTICLE-17: Consent to be bound by part of a treaty and choice
of differing provisions [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. Without prejudice to articles 19 to 23, the
consent of a State to be bound by part of a treaty is
effective only if the treaty so permits or the other
contracting States so agree.
...
... 1. Without prejudice to articles 19 to 23, the
consent of a State to be bound by part of a treaty is
effective only if the treaty so permits or the other
contracting States so agree.
...
...
2. The consent of a State to be bound by a treaty which
permits a choice between differing provisions is effective
only if it is made clear to which of the provisions the
consent relates. ...
ARTICLE-18: Obligation not to defeat the object and purpose
of a treaty prior to its entry into force [go to this ARTICLE]
... A State is obliged to refrain from acts which
would defeat the object and purpose of a treaty when: ...
... (a) it has signed the treaty or has exchanged instruments
constituting the treaty subject to ratification, acceptance
or approval, until it shall have made its intention
clear not to become a party to the treaty; or ...
... (a) it has signed the treaty or has exchanged instruments
constituting the treaty subject to ratification, acceptance
or approval, until it shall have made its intention
clear not to become a party to the treaty; or ...
... (a) it has signed the treaty or has exchanged instruments
constituting the treaty subject to ratification, acceptance
or approval, until it shall have made its intention
clear not to become a party to the treaty; or ...
... (b) it has expressed its consent to be bound by the treaty,
pending the entry into force of the treaty and provided
that such entry into force is not unduly delayed. ...
... (b) it has expressed its consent to be bound by the treaty,
pending the entry into force of the treaty and provided
that such entry into force is not unduly delayed. ...
ARTICLE-19: Formulation of reservations [go to this ARTICLE]
... A State may, when signing, ratifying, accepting,
approving or acceding to a treaty, formulate a reservation
unless:
...
... (b) the treaty provides that only specified reservations,
which do not include the reservation in question, may
be made; or ...
... (c) in cases not falling under sub-paragraphs (a) and (b),
the reservation is incompatible with the object and
purpose of the treaty. ...
ARTICLE-20: Acceptance of and objection to reservations [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. A reservation expressly authorized by a treaty
does not require any subsequent acceptance by the other
contracting States unless the treaty so provides.
...
... 1. A reservation expressly authorized by a treaty
does not require any subsequent acceptance by the other
contracting States unless the treaty so provides.
...
...
2. When it appears from the limited number of the negotiating
States and the object and purpose of a treaty that the
application of the treaty in its entirety between all
the parties is an essential condition of the consent
of each one to be bound by the treaty, a reservation requires acceptance
by all the parties.
...
...
2. When it appears from the limited number of the negotiating
States and the object and purpose of a treaty that the
application of the treaty in its entirety between all
the parties is an essential condition of the consent
of each one to be bound by the treaty, a reservation requires acceptance
by all the parties.
...
...
2. When it appears from the limited number of the negotiating
States and the object and purpose of a treaty that the
application of the treaty in its entirety between all
the parties is an essential condition of the consent
of each one to be bound by the treaty, a reservation requires acceptance
by all the parties.
...
...
3. When a treaty is a constituent instrument of an international
organization and unless it otherwise provides, a reservation
requires the acceptance of the competent organ of that
organization.
...
...
4. In cases not falling under the preceding paragraphs
and unless the treaty otherwise provides: ...
... (a) acceptance by another contracting State of a reservation
constitutes the reserving State a party to the treaty
in relation to that other State if or when the treaty
is in force for those States; ...
... (a) acceptance by another contracting State of a reservation
constitutes the reserving State a party to the treaty
in relation to that other State if or when the treaty
is in force for those States; ...
... (b) an objection by another contracting State to a reservation
does not preclude the entry into force of the treaty
as between the objecting and reserving States unless
a contrary intention is definitely expressed by the
objecting State; ...
... (c) an act expressing a State's consent to be bound by the
treaty and containing a reservation is effective as
soon as at least one other contracting State has accepted
the reservation. ...
... 5. For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 4 and unless the treaty
otherwise provides, a reservation is considered to have
been accepted by a State if it shall have raised no objection
to the reservation by the end of a period of twelve months
after it was notified of the reservation or by the date on which
it expressed its consent to be bound by the treaty, whichever is later. ...
... 5. For the purposes of paragraphs 2 and 4 and unless the treaty
otherwise provides, a reservation is considered to have
been accepted by a State if it shall have raised no objection
to the reservation by the end of a period of twelve months
after it was notified of the reservation or by the date on which
it expressed its consent to be bound by the treaty, whichever is later. ...
ARTICLE-21: Legal effects of reservations and of objections
to reservations [go to this ARTICLE]
... (a) modifies for the reserving State in its relations with
that other party the provisions of the treaty to which
the reservation relates to the extent of the reservation;
and ...
... 2. The reservation does not modify the provisions of the treaty
for the other parties to the treaty inter se.
...
... 2. The reservation does not modify the provisions of the treaty
for the other parties to the treaty inter se.
...
...
3. When a State objecting to a reservation has not opposed
the entry into force of the treaty between itself and
the reserving State, the provisions to which the reservation
relates do not apply as between the two States to the
extent of the reservation. ...
ARTICLE-22: Withdrawal of reservations and of objections to
reservations [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. Unless the treaty otherwise provides, a reservation
may be withdrawn at any time and the consent of a State
which has accepted the reservation is not required for
its withdrawal.
...
...
2. Unless the treaty otherwise provides, an objection
to a reservation may be withdrawn at any time.
...
...
3. Unless the treaty otherwise provides, or it is otherwise
agreed: ...
ARTICLE-23: Procedure regarding reservations [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. A reservation, an express acceptance of a reservation
and an objection to a reservation must be formulated
in writing and communicated to the contracting States
and other States entitled to become parties to the treaty.
...
...
2. If formulated when signing the treaty subject to ratification,
acceptance or approval, a reservation must be formally
confirmed by the reserving State when expressing its
consent to be bound by the treaty. In such a case the
reservation shall be considered as having been made on the date
of its confirmation.
...
...
2. If formulated when signing the treaty subject to ratification,
acceptance or approval, a reservation must be formally
confirmed by the reserving State when expressing its
consent to be bound by the treaty. In such a case the
reservation shall be considered as having been made on the date
of its confirmation.
...
ARTICLE-24: Entry into force [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. A treaty enters into force in such manner and
upon such date as it may provide or as the negotiating
States may agree.
...
...
2. Failing any such provision or agreement, a treaty
enters into force as soon as consent to be bound by the
treaty has been established for all the negotiating States.
...
...
2. Failing any such provision or agreement, a treaty
enters into force as soon as consent to be bound by the
treaty has been established for all the negotiating States.
...
...
3. When the consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
is established on a date after the treaty has come into
force, the treaty enters into force for that State on
that date, unless the treaty otherwise provides.
...
...
3. When the consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
is established on a date after the treaty has come into
force, the treaty enters into force for that State on
that date, unless the treaty otherwise provides.
...
...
3. When the consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
is established on a date after the treaty has come into
force, the treaty enters into force for that State on
that date, unless the treaty otherwise provides.
...
...
3. When the consent of a State to be bound by a treaty
is established on a date after the treaty has come into
force, the treaty enters into force for that State on
that date, unless the treaty otherwise provides.
...
...
4. The provisions of a treaty regulating the authentication
of its text, the establishment of the consent of States
to be bound by the treaty, the manner or date of its
entry into force, reservations, the functions of the depositary
and other matters arising necessarily before the entry into force
of the treaty apply from the time of the adoption of its text. ...
...
4. The provisions of a treaty regulating the authentication
of its text, the establishment of the consent of States
to be bound by the treaty, the manner or date of its
entry into force, reservations, the functions of the depositary
and other matters arising necessarily before the entry into force
of the treaty apply from the time of the adoption of its text. ...
...
4. The provisions of a treaty regulating the authentication
of its text, the establishment of the consent of States
to be bound by the treaty, the manner or date of its
entry into force, reservations, the functions of the depositary
and other matters arising necessarily before the entry into force
of the treaty apply from the time of the adoption of its text. ...
ARTICLE-25: Provisional application [go to this ARTICLE]
... (a) the treaty itself so provides; or ...
... 2. Unless the treaty otherwise provides or the negotiating
States have otherwise agreed, the provisional application
of a treaty or a part of a treaty with respect to a State
shall be terminated if that State notifies the other
States between which the treaty is being applied provisionally of its
intention not to become a party to the treaty. ...
... 2. Unless the treaty otherwise provides or the negotiating
States have otherwise agreed, the provisional application
of a treaty or a part of a treaty with respect to a State
shall be terminated if that State notifies the other
States between which the treaty is being applied provisionally of its
intention not to become a party to the treaty. ...
... 2. Unless the treaty otherwise provides or the negotiating
States have otherwise agreed, the provisional application
of a treaty or a part of a treaty with respect to a State
shall be terminated if that State notifies the other
States between which the treaty is being applied provisionally of its
intention not to become a party to the treaty. ...
... 2. Unless the treaty otherwise provides or the negotiating
States have otherwise agreed, the provisional application
of a treaty or a part of a treaty with respect to a State
shall be terminated if that State notifies the other
States between which the treaty is being applied provisionally of its
intention not to become a party to the treaty. ...
... 2. Unless the treaty otherwise provides or the negotiating
States have otherwise agreed, the provisional application
of a treaty or a part of a treaty with respect to a State
shall be terminated if that State notifies the other
States between which the treaty is being applied provisionally of its
intention not to become a party to the treaty. ...
ARTICLE-26: Pacta sunt servanda [go to this ARTICLE]
... Every treaty in force is binding upon the parties
to it and must be performed by them in good faith. ...
ARTICLE-27: Internal law and observance of treaties [go to this ARTICLE]
... A party may not invoke the provisions of its internal
law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.
This rule is without prejudice to article 46. ...
ARTICLE-28: Non-retroactivity of treaties [go to this ARTICLE]
... Non-retroactivity of treaties ...
... Unless a different intention appears from the
treaty or is otherwise established, its provisions do
not bind a party in relation to any act or fact which
took place or any situation which ceased to exist before the date
of the entry into force of the treaty with respect to that party. ...
... Unless a different intention appears from the
treaty or is otherwise established, its provisions do
not bind a party in relation to any act or fact which
took place or any situation which ceased to exist before the date
of the entry into force of the treaty with respect to that party. ...
ARTICLE-29: Territorial scope of treaties [go to this ARTICLE]
... Unless a different intention appears from the
treaty or is otherwise established, a treaty is binding
upon each party in respect of its entire territory. ...
... Unless a different intention appears from the
treaty or is otherwise established, a treaty is binding
upon each party in respect of its entire territory. ...
ARTICLE-30: Application of successive treaties relating to
the same subject-matter [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. Subject to Article 103 of the Charter of the
United Nations, the rights and obligations of States
parties to successive treaties relating to the same subject-matter
shall be determined in accordance with the following paragraphs.
...
...
2. When a treaty specifies that it is subject to, or
that it is not to be considered as incompatible with,
an earlier or later treaty, the provisions of that other
treaty prevail.
...
...
2. When a treaty specifies that it is subject to, or
that it is not to be considered as incompatible with,
an earlier or later treaty, the provisions of that other
treaty prevail.
...
...
2. When a treaty specifies that it is subject to, or
that it is not to be considered as incompatible with,
an earlier or later treaty, the provisions of that other
treaty prevail.
...
...
3. When all the parties to the earlier treaty are parties
also to the later treaty but the earlier treaty is not
terminated or suspended in operation under article 59,
the earlier treaty applies only to the extent that its provisions
are compatible with those of the latter treaty.
...
...
3. When all the parties to the earlier treaty are parties
also to the later treaty but the earlier treaty is not
terminated or suspended in operation under article 59,
the earlier treaty applies only to the extent that its provisions
are compatible with those of the latter treaty.
...
...
3. When all the parties to the earlier treaty are parties
also to the later treaty but the earlier treaty is not
terminated or suspended in operation under article 59,
the earlier treaty applies only to the extent that its provisions
are compatible with those of the latter treaty.
...
...
3. When all the parties to the earlier treaty are parties
also to the later treaty but the earlier treaty is not
terminated or suspended in operation under article 59,
the earlier treaty applies only to the extent that its provisions
are compatible with those of the latter treaty.
...
...
3. When all the parties to the earlier treaty are parties
also to the later treaty but the earlier treaty is not
terminated or suspended in operation under article 59,
the earlier treaty applies only to the extent that its provisions
are compatible with those of the latter treaty.
...
... (b) as between a State party to both treaties and a State
party to only one of the treaties, the treaty to which
both States are parties governs their mutual rights
and obligations. ...
... (b) as between a State party to both treaties and a State
party to only one of the treaties, the treaty to which
both States are parties governs their mutual rights
and obligations. ...
... (b) as between a State party to both treaties and a State
party to only one of the treaties, the treaty to which
both States are parties governs their mutual rights
and obligations. ...
... 5. Paragraph 4 is without prejudice to article 41, or to any
question of the termination or suspension of the operation
of a treaty under article 60 or to any question of responsibility
which may arise for a State from the conclusion or application
of a treaty the provisions of which are incompatible
with its obligations towards another State under another treaty. ...
... 5. Paragraph 4 is without prejudice to article 41, or to any
question of the termination or suspension of the operation
of a treaty under article 60 or to any question of responsibility
which may arise for a State from the conclusion or application
of a treaty the provisions of which are incompatible
with its obligations towards another State under another treaty. ...
... 5. Paragraph 4 is without prejudice to article 41, or to any
question of the termination or suspension of the operation
of a treaty under article 60 or to any question of responsibility
which may arise for a State from the conclusion or application
of a treaty the provisions of which are incompatible
with its obligations towards another State under another treaty. ...
ARTICLE-31: General rule of interpretation [go to this ARTICLE]
... 1. A treaty shall be interpreted in good faith
in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given to
the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light
of its object and purpose.
...
... 1. A treaty shall be interpreted in good faith
in accordance with the ordinary meaning to be given to
the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light
of its object and purpose.
...
...
2. The context for the purpose of the interpretation
of a treaty shall comprise, in addition to the text,
including its preamble and annexes: ...
... (a) any agreement relating to the treaty which was made between
all the parties in connection with the conclusion of
the treaty; ...
... (a) any agreement relating to the treaty which was made between
all the parties in connection with the conclusion of
the treaty; ...
... (b) any instrument which was made by one or more parties
in connection with the conclusion of the treaty and
accepted by the other parties as an instrument related
to the treaty. ...
... (b) any instrument which was made by one or more parties
in connection with the conclusion of the treaty and
accepted by the other parties as an instrument related
to the treaty. ...
... (a) any subsequent agreement between the parties regarding
the interpretation of the treaty or the application
of its provisions; ...
... (b) any subsequent practice in the application of the treaty
which establishes the agreement of the parties regarding
its interpretation; ...
ARTICLE-32: Supplementary means of interpretation [go to this ARTICLE]
... Recourse may be had to supplementary means of
interpretation, including the preparatory work of the
treaty and the circumstances of its conclusion, in order
to confirm the meaning resulting from the application of article 31, or
to determine the meaning when the interpretation according to article 31: ...
ARTICLE-33: Interpretation of treaties authenticated in two
or more languages [go to this ARTICLE]