United Nations
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL REPOSITORY
UNITED NATIONS TREATIES
| DOCUMENT |
| Slavery Convention |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on March 9, 1927 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Albania, Algeria, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia (Reoublic of), Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 1, 5 |
| NOTES |
| The 1926 Slavery Convention is the first international instrument directly related to the issue. States which have ratified the Convention undertake the commitment to prevent and suppress the slave trade and to abolish slavery in all its forms. The 1926 Convention's definition of slavery includes the practices of debt bondage, servile forms of marriage, and the exploitation of children and adolescents. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Convention Concerning Forced Labour (No. 29) |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on May 1, 1932 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Republic of), Mongolia, Montenegro (Republic of), Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 2, 11 |
| NOTES |
| This Convention calls for the suppression of forced or compulsory labour in all its forms. Forced labour is defined as 'all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.' The Convention is the most widely ratified among all the Fundamental ILO Conventions. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
| DATE OF ADOPTION * |
| Adopted on December 10, 1948 |
| ADOPTION * |
| Adopted by the UN General Assembly |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 3, 4, 5 |
| NOTES |
| The Declaration was one of the first major achievements of the United Nations. It was the first time in history that a document considered to have universal value was adopted by an international organization. It was also the first time that human rights and fundamental freedoms were set forth in such detail. The Declaration has been used in the defense and advancement of people's rights. Its principles have been enshrined in and continue to inspire national legislation and the constitutions of many newly independent states. References to the Declaration have been made in charters and resolutions of regional intergovernmental organizations as well as in treaties and resolutions adopted by the United Nations system. The General Assembly proclaimed the Declaration as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", towards which individuals and societies should "strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance". * Even though this Declaration does not foresee a signature/entry into force and consequent ratification/acceptance/approval/accession/succession, we believe it to be inserted in the ILR for entirety reasons, due to the fundamental role it plays among the UN legal instruments for the protection of human rights. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on July 25, 1951 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo (Republic of the), Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Togo, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 1, 2, 4, 16, 17, 20 |
| NOTES |
|
The Convention declares that the enslavement of women and children subjected to prostitution is incompatible with the dignity and fundamental rights of the human person.The Convention foresees a number of activities aiming at preventing prostitution (through, among the others, education and improvement of the role of women in the society) and at curbing forced prostitution and pornography industry through criminalization and punishment of all forms of procurement. Member states commit themselves in eliminating all forms of discriminations that ostracizes prostitutes. Member States should cooperate in the identification of international networks of procurers and, if they are members of the International Criminal Police Organization, to cooperate with that organization to make the suppression of the traffic in persons one of its priorities. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on April 30, 1957 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, Congo (Republic of the), Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania (United Republic of), Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmekistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 1, 3, 6, 7 |
| NOTES |
| The Convention aims at condemning new forms of slavery and servitude similar to slavery (not foreseen in the 1926 Slavery Convention) such as abuses arising from the adoption of children, and the marriage of women without their consent and provides for penal sanctions against the slave trade. Any disputes relating to the convention are to be referred to the International Court of Justice. Under Article 1(d) parties to the Convention are required to adopt measures to bring about the complete abolition of any institution or practice whereby a person under the age of 18 years is handed over by the natural parents or the guardian to another person, whether for reward or not, with the purpose of exploitation. |
| DOCUMENT |
| International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on January 3, 1976 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Chile, Colombia, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Côte d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Honduras, Iceland, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmekistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Article 10.3 |
| NOTES |
| The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), make up the International Bill of Human Rights. In accordance with the Universal Declaration, the Covenants recognize that the ideal of human beings free from freedom and needs can be achieved only if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil and political rights, as well as his/her economic, social and cultural rights. Article 10.3 of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states that 'special measures of protection and assistance should be taken on behalf of all children and young persons without any discrimination for reasons of parentage or other conditions. Children and young persons should be protected from economic and social exploitation. Their employment in work harmful to their morals or health or dangerous to life or likely to hamper their normal development should be punishable by law. States should also set age limits below which the paid employment of child labour should be prohibited and punishable by law.' |
| DOCUMENT |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on March 23, 1976 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Côte d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Honduras, Iceland, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmekistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Article: 8, 24 |
| NOTES |
| The Covenant (see also the notes on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) includes articles focusing on slavery and slavery trade, liberty of movement and security and protection's measures for children. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on December 7, 1978 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Capo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenia, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro (Republic of) Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Timor Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 4 (2) (e), 4 (2) (f) |
| NOTES |
| The aim of the present Protocol is to extend the essential rules of the law of armed conflicts to internal wars. Sub-paragraph (e) of Art. 4 aims at protecting women and children from, among the others, enforced prostitution. This provision is reaffirmed in sub-paragraph (f) entitled 'Slavery and the slave trade'. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on September 3, 1981 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Buthan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire; Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11 |
| NOTES |
| The Convention is often described as the international bill of women's rights. The Convention defines discrimination against women as '...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.' The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life - including the right to vote and to stand for election - as well as education, health and employment. States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women entered into force on December 22, 2000 to serve women and their organizations when they have exhausted national remedies to gender discrimination. The 21-article of the Optional Protocol on CEDAW allows women whose countries have ratified CEDAW to bring petitions of discrimination to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (see also articles 1, 5, 8). As of 09 June 2004, States parties of this protocol are: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtestein, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Convention on the Rights of the Child |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on September 2, 1990 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Ratified by all UN countries except Somalia and the United States of America |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 1, 11, 19, 32.1, 34, 35, 36 |
| NOTES |
| The Convention reflects a new vision of the child. Children are human beings and are the subject of their own rights. The Convention offers a vision of the child as an individual and as a member of a family and community, with rights and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage of development. The Convention on the Children's Rights focuses on the following principles: the child is an individual, he/she is unique, has special needs, needs support and protection, the child's integrity must be respected, the child's right to express his/her opinion, the child has his/her own rights. Prior to or shortly after ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, States are required to bring their national legislation into line with its provisions - except where the national standards are already higher. In this way, child rights standards are no longer merely an aspiration but, rather, are nationally binding on States. At the centre of the monitoring process is the Committee on the Rights of the Child, an independent, elected committee whose members are of 'high moral standing' and are experts in the field of human rights. The Convention's rights are universal and relevant in times of peace, war and other armed conflicts. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (C182) |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on November 19, 2000 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Republic of), Mongolia, Montenegro (Republic of), Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 3, 7, 8 |
| NOTES |
| This Convention commits the Parties to take immediate action to eliminate the most hazardous and exploitative forms of child labour. According to Article 3 of the Convention, the worst forms of child labour are: a. Child slavery (including the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage, and forced recruitment for armed conflict) b. Child prostitution and pornography c. The use of children for illicit activities (such as drug trafficking) d. Any work which is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children. |
| DOCUMENT |
| The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on January 18, 2002 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Erzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, France, Guatemala, Georgia, Holy See, Honduras, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro (Republic of), Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 |
| NOTES |
| The Optional Protocol gives special emphasis to the criminalization of serious violations of children's rights - namely sale of children, illegal adoption, child prostitution and pornography - considering that it is estimated that one million children (mainly girls but also boys) enter the multi-billion dollar commercial sex trade every year. Similarly, the text stresses the value of international cooperation as a means of combating these transnational activities, and of public awareness, information and education campaigns to enhance the protection of children from these serious violations of their rights. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on July 1, 2002 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Republic of the), Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro (Republic of), Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kittis and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania (United Republic of), Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 7, 8 |
| NOTES |
| In 1998, the international community met in Rome to finalize and adopt the statute on the establishment of a permanent international criminal court judging on individual cases of genocide and great violation of human rights. The establishment of a permanent international criminal court (ICC) represents a decisive step against impunity in conflict situations weather internal or international. |
| DOCUMENT |
| The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on July 1, 2003 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: 10, 11 |
| NOTES |
| The Convention aims at preventing and eliminating the exploitation of migrant workers throughout the entire migration process. In particular, it seeks to put an end to the illegal or clandestine recruitment and trafficking of migrant workers and to discourage the employment of migrant workers in an irregular or undocumented situation. It provides a set of binding international standards to address the treatment, welfare and human rights of both documented and undocumented migrants, as well as the obligations and responsibilities on the part of source and receiving States. |
| DOCUMENT |
| The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on September 29, 2003 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, China, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, European Community, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Montenegro (Republic of), Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| All the articles |
| NOTES |
| The Convention is the first international instrument against transnational organized crime. In addition to the Convention, three Protocols were agreed: the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Air and Sea and the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition. Ratifying the Convention, States commit themselves to adopting a series of crime-control measures, including the criminalization of participation in an organized criminal group, money-laundering, corruption, and obstruction of justice; extradition laws; mutual legal assistance; administrative and regulatory controls; law-enforcement; victim protection; and crime-prevention measures. States Parties will be able to rely on one another in investigating, prosecuting and punishing transnational organized crimes; it will be more difficult for offenders and organized criminal groups to take advantage of gaps in national law and jurisdiction. The whole Convention is relevant because it sets the basic principles on which the Protocols on Trafficking in Human Beings are based. |
| DOCUMENT |
| Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime |
| DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE/SIGNATURE |
| Entered into force on December 25, 2003 |
| RATIFICATION/ACCEPTANCE/APPROVAL/ACCESSION/SUCCESSION |
| Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyztan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Lybian Arab Jamahiriya, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Montenegro (Republic of), Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia (Republic of), Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia |
| HIGHLIGHTS ON RELEVANT ARTICLES |
| Articles: from 1 to 13 |
| NOTES |
| The Protocol represents a new approach to the problem in several respects. It defines 'trafficking in persons' a complex and multifaceted problem, particularly considering the involvement of transnational organized criminal groups. It combines traditional crime control measures for investigating and punishing offenders with measures for protecting trafficked persons. The Protocol: 1) Gives, for the first time, a detailed and comprehensive definition of 'trafficking'. The Protocol applies to all people, particularly women and children, since Member States have recognized their specific vulnerability. Article 3, in subparagraph (a), defines trafficking as 'recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation'. It is worthy underlying that the consent of a victim of trafficking in persons to the intended exploitation set forth in subparagraph (a) of article 3 shall be irrelevant where any of the means set forth in subparagraph (a) have been used. On the other hand, the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation shall be considered 'trafficking in persons' even if this does not involve any of the means set forth in subparagraph (a) of article 3; 2) Offers tools in order to empower law enforcement and strenghten border control (through, for example, the exchange of information, training of law enforcement and border police, measures aiming at ensuring the quality of travel documents, etc...) 3) Strengthens the response of the judiciary through the obligation for member states to criminalize trafficking, to create penalties that take into account the grave nature of these offences and to create the possibility to investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers. 4) Expands the scope of protection and support to victims through granting privacy, information on proceedings, physical and psychological recovery, special requirements for children and safety for victims, measures to avoid immediate deportation and safe repatriation. Witness protection is considered a crucial measure. The main goal is to catch and prosecute the trafficker, yet at the same time protect the victim. His/her assistance is crucial to law enforcement, since he/she can provide for the evidence necessary to successfully prosecute the trafficker. Prevention efforts include informing and educating potential victims as well as officials and the public. The Protocol's comprehensive prevention policy includes also activities to prevent re-victimization, research, information campaigns, social and economic initiatives, and cooperation with civil society. |
