General information
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Kingdom part
Netherlands (in Europe)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Netherlands (Bonaire)
- Entry into force: 10-10-2010
Netherlands (Sint Eustatius)
- Entry into force: 10-10-2010
Netherlands (Saba)
- Entry into force: 10-10-2010
Aruba
- Entry into force: 01-01-1986
Curaçao
- Entry into force: 10-10-2010
Sint Maarten
- Entry into force: 10-10-2010
Party
Afghanistan
- Ratification: 19-05-2015 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2015
Albania
- Ratification: 21-06-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-2001
Algeria
- Ratification: 14-09-2005 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2005
Angola
- Ratification: 20-09-2006 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2006
Antigua and Barbuda
- Ratification: 04-07-2007 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-2007
Armenia
- Ratification: 29-12-2010 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-2011
Austria
- Ratification: 21-04-2005 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-07-2005
Bahrain
- Ratification: 06-12-2021 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-2022
Bangladesh
- Ratification: 29-09-2005 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2005
Belarus
- Ratification: 03-06-2003 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-2003
Belgium
- Ratification: 11-07-1990 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-1990
Benin
- Ratification: 14-01-1986 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-04-1986
Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Ratification: 08-09-2017 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2017
Brazil
- Ratification: 02-07-2015 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-2015
Bulgaria
- Ratification: 30-08-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1999
Burkina Faso
- Ratification: 09-10-1989 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-1990
Burundi
- Ratification: 18-04-2011 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-07-2011
Cabo Verde
- Ratification: 18-01-2006 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-04-2006
Cameroon
- Signature: 10-06-1980
- Ratification: 07-09-1981 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Central African Republic
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 14-09-2018 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2018
Chad
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 18-06-1997 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-09-1997
Chile
- Ratification: 15-09-1981 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
China
- Hong Kong SAR
Entry into force: 01-07-1997
Cook Islands
- Ratification: 08-05-2006 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2006
Costa Rica
- Ratification: 25-05-2007 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2007
Côte d'Ivoire
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 23-04-2003 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-07-2003
Croatia
- Ratification: 03-07-2000 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-2000
Cyprus
- Ratification: 02-08-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-2001
Czech Republic
- Ratification: 08-02-1994 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-1994
Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ratification: 22-06-1990 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-1990
Djibouti
- Ratification: 01-08-2004 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-2004
Dominican Republic
- Ratification: 23-08-2017 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-2017
Ecuador
- Ratification: 21-11-2003 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-2004
Egypt
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 11-02-1982 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Equatorial Guinea
- Ratification: 19-05-2010 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2010
Eritrea
- Ratification: 24-11-2004 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-2005
Estonia
- Ratification: 09-07-2008 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-2008
Eswatini
- Ratification: 22-10-2012 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-2013
Ethiopia
- Ratification: 23-10-2009 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-2010
Fiji
- Ratification: 04-01-2013 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-04-2013
Finland
- Ratification: 03-10-1988 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-1989
Gabon
- Ratification: 23-05-2008 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2008
Gambia, The
- Ratification: 25-05-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2001
Georgia
- Ratification: 06-03-2000 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2000
Germany
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 31-07-1984 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-10-1984
Ghana
- Ratification: 19-01-1988 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-04-1988
Greece
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 29-07-1999 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-10-1999
Guinea
- Ratification: 21-05-1993 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-1993
Guinea-Bissau
- Ratification: 19-06-1995 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-1995
Honduras
- Ratification: 09-01-2007 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-04-2007
Hungary
- Ratification: 12-07-1983 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
India
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 04-05-1982 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Iran
- Ratification: 13-11-2007 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-2008
Iraq
- Ratification: 11-05-2016 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2016
Ireland
- Signature: 20-06-1980
- Ratification: 05-08-1983 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Israel
- Ratification: 17-05-1983 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Italy
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 26-08-1983 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Jamaica
Jordan
- Ratification: 21-12-2000 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-2001
Kazakhstan
- Ratification: 01-02-2006 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-2006
Kenya
- Ratification: 26-02-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-1999
Kyrgyzstan
- Ratification: 20-02-2014 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-2014
Latvia
- Ratification: 26-04-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-07-1999
Lebanon
- Ratification: 11-03-2019 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2019
Liberia
- Ratification: 28-09-2004 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2004
Libya
- Ratification: 25-06-2002 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-2002
Liechtenstein
- Ratification: 18-08-1997 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1997
Lithuania
- Ratification: 20-11-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-2002
Luxembourg
- Signature: 23-06-1980
- Ratification: 30-11-1982 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Madagascar
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 13-10-2006 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-01-2007
Malawi
- Ratification: 24-06-2019 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-2019
Maldives
- Ratification: 07-08-2019 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-2019
Mali
- Ratification: 20-07-1987 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-1987
Malta
- Ratification: 01-03-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2001
Mauritania
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 07-04-1998 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-07-1998
Moldova
- Ratification: 08-01-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-04-2001
Monaco
- Ratification: 01-03-1993 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-1993
Mongolia
- Ratification: 24-08-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1999
Montenegro
- Ratification: 09-12-2008 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-2009
Morocco
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 12-08-1993 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1993
Mozambique
- Ratification: 18-05-2009 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2009
Netherlands, the Kingdom of the
- Signature: 20-06-1980
- Ratification: 05-06-1981 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
New Zealand
- Ratification: 07-07-2000 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-10-2000
Niger
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 03-07-1980 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Nigeria
- Ratification: 15-10-1986 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-1987
North Macedonia
- Ratification: 26-08-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1999
Pakistan
- Ratification: 22-09-1987 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-1987
Palau
- Ratification: 22-11-2007 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-2008
Panama
- Ratification: 20-02-1989 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-1989
Paraguay
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 23-10-1998 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-01-1999
Peru
- Ratification: 20-03-1997 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-1997
Philippines
- Signature: 20-06-1980
- Ratification: 15-11-1993 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-02-1994
Poland
- Ratification: 01-02-1996 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-1996
Portugal
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 21-01-1981 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Republic of the Congo
- Ratification: 01-10-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-2000
Romania
- Ratification: 14-04-1998 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-07-1998
Rwanda
- Ratification: 07-03-2005 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2005
Samoa
- Ratification: 31-08-2005 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-2005
São Tomé e Principe
- Ratification: 24-09-2001 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2001
Saudi Arabia
- Ratification: 17-12-1990 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-1991
Senegal
- Ratification: 18-03-1988 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-1988
Serbia
- Ratification: 11-12-2007 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-2008
Seychelles
- Ratification: 26-05-2005 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2005
Slovakia
- Ratification: 14-12-1994 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-1995
Slovenia
- Ratification: 20-11-1998 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-1999
Somalia
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 11-11-1985 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-02-1986
Spain
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 12-02-1985 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-05-1985
Sri Lanka
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 06-06-1990 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-09-1990
Sweden
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 09-06-1983 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
Switzerland
- Ratification: 07-04-1995 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-07-1995
Tajikistan
- Ratification: 20-11-2000 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-02-2001
Tanzania
- Ratification: 23-04-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-07-1999
Togo
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 09-11-1995 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-02-1996
Trinidad and Tobago
- Ratification: 28-09-2018 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2018
Tunisia
- Ratification: 27-05-1987 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-08-1987
Turkmenistan
- Ratification: 20-10-2020 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-2021
Ukraine
- Ratification: 02-08-1999 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1999
United Arab Emirates
- Ratification: 01-02-2016 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-2016
Uruguay
- Ratification: 01-02-1990 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-05-1990
Uzbekistan
- Ratification: 12-06-1998 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-1998
Yemen
- Ratification: 30-09-2006 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-2006
Zimbabwe
- Ratification: 01-03-2012 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2012
Argentina
- Ratification: 10-10-1991 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-01-1992
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: Yes
-
reservation 19-10-1985 The Argentine Republic rejects the territorial application of the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals signed in Bonn on 23 June 1979,
which entered into force on 1 November 1983, to the Malvinas, South Georgia and South
Sandwich Islands, which was notified by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland to the Secretariat of the Convention on 23 July 1985 when it ratified this
instrument, incorrectly designating these islands as the ‘Falkland Islands and Falkland
dependencies’.
The Argentine Republic reaffirms its sovereign rights over the islands in question,
which are part of its national territory and concerning which there exists a sovereignty
dispute, as recognised by Resolutions 2065, 3160, 31/49, 37/9, 38/12 and 39/6 of the
General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation.
objection to reservation
Objection United Kingdom, 10-12-1985
The Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are British
Dependent Territories. The British Government has no doubts about UK Sovereignity
over them. The reference in the Secretariat's document is correct.
reservation 10-10-1991 The Argentine Republic rejects the inclusion of the vicuña (Lama vicugna) in Appendix
I of this Convention, on the grounds that this is not a migratory species.
objection to reservation
Objection United Kingdom, 12-03-1992
The British Government has noted that the Argentine instrument of accession contains
the provision that the Republic of Argentina rejects the extension of the Convention
by the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern Ireland to include the Falkland
Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
The British Government rejects the assertions concerning these two British Dependent
Territories made in the Argentine instrument. The Embassy notes that the Convention
applies to these Territories by virtue of the British Government's extension which
was effected on 23 June 1979.
Australia
- Ratification: 26-06-1991 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-09-1991
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 26-06-1991 Australia has a federal constitutional system in which legislative, executive and
judicial powers are shared or distributed between its central, State and Territory
authorities. The implementation of the Convention throughout Australia will be effected
by the Federal, State and Territory Goverments having regard to their respective constitutional
powers and arrangements concerning their exercise.
reservation 11-01-2015 Australia on 11 January 2015 notified that it makes a reservation to the inclusion
to Appendix II of the Convention of the following species:
Alopias superciliosus (Bigeye thresher shark),
Alopias vulpinus (Common thresher shark),
Alopias pelagicus (Pelagic thresher shark),
Sphyrna lewini (Scalloped Hammerhead shark),
Sphyrna mokarran (Great Hammerhead shark).
reservation 15-01-2018 Australia made a reservation with respect to the inclusion of the following species
in Appendix II to the Convention:
Carcharhinus obscurus (Dusky shark)
Prionace glauca (Blue shark)
Rhynchobatus australiae (White-spotted wedgefish)
Pursuant to Article XI, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the inclusion of the above-named
species, adopted on 28 October 2017 on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties,
shall not enter into force for Australia.
reservation 04-05-2020 Australia made a reservation with respect to the inclusion of the following species
in Appendix II to the Convention:
Sphyrna zygaena (Smooth Hammerhead Shark)
Galeorhinus galeus (Tope Shark).
Pursuant to Article XI, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the inclusion of the above-named
species, adopted on 22 February 2020 on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties,
shall not enter into force for Australia.
Bolivia
- Ratification: 16-12-2002 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-03-2003
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 16-12-2002 Lodges a reservation with regard to the inclusion of the Bolivian vicuña (Vicugna
vicugna) in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals, because its population has increased from 1,097 in 1965 to 56,383,
as recorded in the census conducted in 2001. Consequently, this species should only
continue to be included in Appendix II of the Convention (CMS).
Cuba
Denmark
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 05-08-1982 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
- Faroes
Entry into force: 07-04-1989
-
reservation 05-08-1982 The Convention does not apply to [...] Greenland.
reservation 20-12-2002 The Government of Denmark hereby gives notification in accordance with Article XI,
Section 5, of the Convention that it makes a reservation to the effect that the changes
to Appendix I and Appendix II of the Convention concerning the whale species Balaenoptera
bonaerensis - Antarctic Minke Whale (in Appendix II), Balaenoptera edeni - Bryde's
Whale (in Appendix II), Balaenoptera physalus - Fin Whale (in Appendices I and II),
Balaenoptera borealis - Sei Whale (in Appendices I and II), Capera marginata - Pygmy
Right Whale (in Appendix II) and Physeter macrocephalus (syn. Catodon) - Sperm Whale
(in Appendices I and II) do not apply to the Faroe Islands and their surrounding waters.
The changes will equally not apply to Greenland and its surrounding waters by virtue
of the territorial reservation made at the time of the deposit by the Government of
Denmark of its instrument of ratification of the Convention in 1982.
reservation 17-02-2006 Referring to Article XI, 5 in the Convention, Denmark hereby makes a territorial reservation
to the listing of Basking Sharks with regards to the Faroe Islands. The authorities
of the Faroe Islands are of the view that matters regarding conservation and management
of fishery resources, including sharks, fall under the domain of relevant regional
fishery management organisations, as for instance the North East Atlantic Fisheries
Commission (NEAFC), the North Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) and the International
Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). On the basis of regional
fishery resources, these organisations decide on matters regarding conservation and
management at the regional level. Following a proposal by Denmark (in respect of the
Faroe Islands and Greenland) NEAFC at its Annual Meeting in November 2005 made a recommendation,
based upon available advice from the International Council for the Exploration of
the Sea (ICES) prohibiting all directed fishing of Basking Shark in the NEAFC Convention
Area in 2006 and asking Contracting Parties to furnish ICES with data, including fisheries
data, which could enable ICES to further evaluate the state of the stock.
reservation 23-05-2014 Reservation according to Article XI (6) of the Convention to the adoption of the orca
and of the narwhale to Annex II of the Convention by the Third COP.
EU (European Union)
- Ratification: 01-08-1983 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-11-1983
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 12-07-1983 The European Economic Community declares that its accession to the Convention does
not apply to Greenland.
reservation 01-03-2006 In accordance with Article XI of the CMS-Bonn Convention, an amendment to the Appendices
shall enter into force for all Parties ninety days after the meeting of the Conference
of the Parties at which it was adopted, except for those Parties, which make a reservation.
The proposal for inclusion of Cetorhinus maximus in Appendix I of CMS-Bonn Convention,
adopted at the last Conference of the Parties (COP8, November 2005) if accepted by
the European Community, would require a change in EC law. Therefore, the European
Community would like to hereby introduce a reservation on the inclusion of Cetorhinus
maximus in Appendix I of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of
Wild Animals.
reservation 01-12-2009 According to Article 1 (3) of the Treaty on the European Union as amended by the Lisbon
Treaty on 1 December 2009 the European Union shall replace and succeed the European
Community.
reservation 28-01-2020 1. On 29 March 2017, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland (the "United Kingdom") notified the European Council of the United
Kingdom's intention to withdraw from the European Union ("Union") and the European
Atomic Energy Community ("Euratom") in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on
European Union. On 22 March 2019, the European Council decided in agreement with the
United Kingdom to extend the period provided for in Article 50(3) of the Treaty on
European Union until 12 April 2019. On 10 April 2019, the European Council decided
in agreement with the United Kingdom to extend the period provided for in Article
50(3) of the Treaty on European Union until 31 October 2019. On 29 October 2019, the
European Council decided in agreement with the United Kingdom to extend the period
provided for in Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union until 31 January 2020.
The United Kingdom will therefore cease to be a Member State of the European Union
and of Euratom on 1 February 2020.
2. On 24 January 2020, the Union and Euratom, and the United Kingdom, in accordance
with Article 50, paragraph 2, of the Treaty on European Union, signed an Agreement
setting out the arrangements for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union
and Euratom ("Withdrawal Agreement"). The Withdrawal Agreement will enter into force
on 1 February 2020, subject to its prior ratification by the United Kingdom and conclusion
by the Union and Euratom.
3. In order to address the specific situation of the withdrawal of the United
Kingdom from the Union and Euratom, the Withdrawal Agreement provides for a time-limited
transition period during which, save certain very limited exceptions, Union law shall
be applicable to and in the United Kingdom and that any reference to Member States
in Union law, including as implemented and applied by Member States, shall be understood
as including the United Kingdom.
4. The Union and Euratom, and the United Kingdom have agreed that Union law within
the meaning of the Withdrawal Agreement encompasses international agreements concluded
by the Union (or Euratom), or by Member States acting on behalf of the Union (or Euratom),
or by the Union (or Euratom) and its Member States jointly.
5. Subject to timely ratification and conclusion of the Withdrawal Agreement,
the Union and Euratom notify parties to the international agreements referred to in
point 4 above that, during the transition period, the United Kingdom is treated as
a Member State of the Union and of Euratom for the purposes of these international
agreements.
6. It is understood that the principles set out in this note also extend to international
instruments and arrangements without legally binding force entered into by the Union
or Euratom and to international agreements referred to in point 4 above which are
provisionally applied.
7. The provisions relating to the transition period are laid down in Part Four
(Articles 126 to
132) of the Withdrawal Agreement, to be read in conjunction with the other relevant
provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement, in particular its Part One.
8. The transition period starts on 1 February 2020 and ends on 31 December 2020,
but the Withdrawal Agreement foresees the possibility of adopting a single decision
extending the transition period for up to 24 months. In the event of an extension,
the Union and Euratom will communicate this by a further Note Verbale.
9. At the end of the transition period, the United Kingdom will no longer be
covered by the international agreements referred to in points 4 and 6 above. This
is without prejudice to the status of the United Kingdom in relation to multilateral
agreements to which it is a party in its own right.
reservation 02-03-2020 […] the European Union informed the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany,
as Depositary in accordance with Article XX of the Convention, of the withdrawal of
its reservation to the inclusion of the Cetorhinus maximus in Appendix I.
The withdrawal of the reservation made by the European Union to the inclusion of the
Cetorhinus maximus in Appendix I became effective as of 31 May 2020 in accordance
with Article XI (6), sentence 2, of the Convention.
France
Mauritius
- Ratification: 22-03-2004 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2004
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 10-01-2020 [...] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade
of the Republic of Mauritius [...] has the honour to register its strong objection
against the extension by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
to the so-called "British Indian Ocean Territory".
The Government of the Republic of Mauritius considers that by extending these Agreements
to the so-called "British Indian Ocean Territory", the United Kingdom purported to
exercise sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago - a claim which is untenable under
international law.
The Government of the Republic of Mauritius wishes to reiterate in emphatic terms
that it does not recognize the so-called "British Indian Ocean Territory". The fact
that the Chagos Archipelago is, and has always been, part of the territory of the
Republic of Mauritius, and that the United Kingdom has never had sovereignty over
the Chagos Archipelago, has been authoritatively established by the International
Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion of 25 February 2019, on the Legal Consequences
of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965.
In this authoritative legal determination, the Court declared that the decolonization
of the Republic of Mauritius had not been lawfully completed in 1968, since the Chagos
Archipelago had been unlawfully detached in 1965, in violation of the right of self-determination
of peoples and the Charter of the United Nations, as applied and interpreted in accordance
with UN General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, resolution 2066
(XX) of 16 December 1965, resolution 2232 (XXI) of 20 December 1966 and resolution
2357 (XXII) of 19 December 1967. Accordingly, it went on to hold that the United Kingdom's
ongoing administration of the Chagos Archipelago, as the so-called "British Indian
Ocean Territory'", was an internationally wrongful act, of a continuing nature, that
engaged the State responsibility of the United Kingdom. It determined that the United
Kingdom is under a legal obligation to terminate its unlawful colonial administration
"as rapidly as possible".
The Court further determined that all UN Member States have an obligation to cooperate
with the United Nations in facilitating the completion of the decolonization of the
Republic of Mauritius as rapidly as possible, including an obligation not to support
the continuing wrongful conduct of the United Kingdom in maintaining its colonial
administration in the Chagos Archipelago.
On 22 May 2019, the General Assembly, by an overwhelming majority of 116 votes to
6, adopted resolution 73/295. By this resolution, it endorsed the Court’s Advisory
Opinion, affirmed that the Chagos Archipelago forms an integral part of the territory
of the Republic of Mauritius, and demanded that the United Kingdom terminate its unlawful
colonial administration within a maximum of six months, that is by no later than 22
November 2019. That deadline has now expired.
Moreover, the General Assembly in its resolution called upon Member States to “cooperate
with the United Nations to ensure the completion of the decolonization of Mauritius
as rapidly as possible” and to refrain from conduct that might impede or delay the
completion of decolonization. It further called upon the United Nations and all its
specialized agencies to recognize that the Chagos Archipelago forms an integral part
of the territory of the Republic of Mauritius, to support the decolonization of the
Republic of Mauritius as rapidly as possible, and to refrain from impeding that process
by recognizing the so-called "British Indian Ocean Territory". Lastly, the resolution
also called upon “all other international, regional and intergovernmental organizations,
including those established by treaty,” to recognize that the Chagos Archipelago forms
an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Mauritius, to support its speedy
decolonization, and to "refrain from impeding that process" by recognizing the so-called
"British Indian Ocean Territory".
The Republic of Mauritius has, over the years, consistently asserted, and hereby reasserts,
its full sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. The Government of the Republic of
Mauritius therefore unequivocally protests against the extension by the United Kingdom
of the Agreements listed at Annex to the so-called “British Indian Ocean Territory”
and against the purported exercise by the United Kingdom of any sovereignty, rights
or jurisdiction within the territory of the Republic of Mauritius.
For the above stated reasons, which arise from established principles of international
law as authoritatively interpreted and applied by the International Court of Justice
and endorsed by the UN General Assembly, the Government of the Republic of Mauritius
does not recognize the extension by the United Kingdom of the Agreements listed at
Annex to the so-called “British lndian Ocean Territory”, reserves all its rights in
this regard, and calls upon all States Parties to the Agreements listed at Annex to
reject the United Kingdom's extension of these Agreements to the so-called “British
Indian Ocean Territory”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the
Republic of Mauritius kindly requests that the present objection be duly recorded,
circulated and registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations pursuant to Article
102 of the Charter of the United Nations [...].
reservation 06-03-2020 The Government of the Republic of Mauritius maintains its strong objection to the
United Kingdom’s extension of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
of Wild Animals to the so-called "British Indian Ocean Territory". The United Kingdom's
response has no legal basis inasmuch as the Chagos Archipelago is and has always
formed an integral part of the territory of the Republic of Mauritius, as authoritatively
established by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its Advisory Opinion of
25 February 2019 on the Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Archipelago
from Mauritius in 1965.
The Government of the Republic of Mauritius wishes to recall that the ICJ also concluded
that the Chagos Archipelago was illegally excised by the United Kingdom from the territory
of Mauritius prior to its accession to independence and that the continued administration
of the Chagos Archipelago by the United Kingdom constitutes a wrongful act of a continuing
character. The Court accordingly ruled that the United Kingdom is under an obligation
to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible.
It follows that under international law, the Republic of Mauritius is the sole State
lawfully entitled to exercise sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. As such, the
United Kingdom, which is an illegal colonial occupier, does not and cannot have sovereignty
over the Chagos Archipelago.
In Resolution 73/295 of 22 May 2019, the UN General Assembly demanded that the United
Kingdom withdraw its colonial administration from the Chagos Archipelago unconditionally
by 22 November 2019, thereby enabling the Republic of Mauritius to complete the decolonization
of its territory as rapidly as possible. The United Kingdom has failed to meet this
deadline.
The Government of the Republic of Mauritius therefore rejects the United Kingdom's
response and reiterates its protest against the United Kingdom's extension of the
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to the so-called
"British Indian Ocean Territory" and against the purported exercise by the United
Kingdom of any sovereignty, rights or jurisdiction within the territory of the Republic
of Mauritius.
The Government of the Republic of Mauritius also renews its call upon all Contracting
Parties to the Convention to reject the United Kingdom's extension of the Convention
to the so-called "British Indian Ocean Territory".
Norway
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 30-05-1985 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-08-1985
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 01-01-1989 Reservation in accordance with Article XI (6) of the Convention to the adoption of
the white-beaked dolphin and of the Atlantic white-sided dolphin to Annex II of the
Convention by the Second COP held from 10 to 14 October 1988 in Geneva.
reservation 01-01-1992 Reservation in accordance with Article XI (6) of the Convention to the adoption of
the orca and of the narwhale to Annex II of the Convention by the Third COP held from
9 to 13 September 1991 in Geneva.
reservation 11-12-2002 The Government of Norway hereby lodges a formal reservation, in accordance with Article
XI 6 of the Convention, against the amendments adopted at the seventh Conference of
the Parties (COP7) held in Bonn, Germany, on 18-24 September 2002, regarding the inclusion
of the following species in Appendices I and II of the Convention:
Balaenoptera bonaerensis - Antarctic Minke Whale (in Appendix II)
Balaenoptera edeni - Bryde's Whale (in Appendix II)
Balaenoptera physalus - Fin Whale (in Appendices I and II)
Balaenoptera borealis - Sei Whale (in Appendices I and II)
Capera marginata - Pygmy Right Whale (in Appendix II)
Physeter macrocephalus (syn. Catodon) - Sperm Whale (in Appendices I and II)
Orcinus orca - Killer Whale (in Appendix II)
Carcharodon carcharias - Great White Shark (in Appendices I and II).
reservation 24-02-2006 The Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) at its
8th meeting in Nairobi, Kenya 21-25 November, accepted the inclusion in Appendix I
(Article III: Endangered migratory species) and II (Article IV: Migratory species
to be the Subject of Agreements) of the following species:
Cetorhinus maximus (Basking shark)
In accordance with Article X, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the Government of Norway
hereby notifies the Government of Germany, Depositary Government of the Convention
that it has decided to make a reservation to the inclusions mentioned above. With
the respect to the inclusion in Appendix I and Appendix II of the above mentioned
species, the Norwegian Government considers that the listing of this species does
not comply with the criteria for species to be included in Appendix I and Appendix
II of the Convention. Also, the Basking shark is within the purview of the North-East
Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), which at its 24th Annual Meeting recommended
that no fishery should be undertaken in the Convention Area in 2006. The Commission
also called for compilation of data to better assess stock status. The Norwegian Government
will closely follow the work carried out in the NEAFC and FAO on this species. Based
on the development of the on-going initiatives Norway may review its reservation of
Basking shark in Appendix II of the CMS at a later stage.
South Africa
- Ratification: 27-09-1991 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-12-1991
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 23-01-2018 The Republic of South Africa made a reservation with respect to the inclusion of the
following species in Appendix II to the Convention:
Giraffa camelopardalis (Giraffe)
Panthera leo (Lion)
Panthera pardus (Leopard)
Prionace glauca (Blue Shark)
Pursuant to Article XI, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the inclusion of the above-named
species, adopted on 28 October 2017 on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties,
shall not enter into force for the Republic of South Africa.
Syria
- Ratification: 31-03-2003 (A)
- Entry into force: 01-06-2003
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 31-03-2003 Under no circumstances shall the accession of the Syrian Arab Republic to this Convention,
as amended, imply recognition of Israel or occasion its entry with the latter into
any of the transactions regulated by the provisions of the same, as amended.
Uganda
- Signature: 22-06-1980
- Ratification: 16-05-2000 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-08-2000
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
-
reservation 24-01-2018 The Republic of Uganda made a reservation with respect to the inclusion of the following
species in the Appendices to the Convention:
Chimpanzees
Lions
Leopards
Giraffes
Pursuant to Article XI, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the inclusion of the above-named
species, adopted on 28 October 2017 on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties,
shall not enter into force for the Republic of Uganda.
United Kingdom
- Signature: 23-06-1979
- Ratification: 23-07-1985 (R)
- Entry into force: 01-10-1985
- Reservations / Declarations: Yes
- Objections: No
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus)
Entry into force: 01-10-1985Bermuda Entry into force: 01-10-1985British Indian Ocean Territory Entry into force: 01-10-1985British Virgin Islands Entry into force: 01-10-1985Cayman Islands Entry into force: 01-10-1985Falkland Islands Entry into force: 01-10-1985Gibraltar Entry into force: 01-10-1985Guernsey Entry into force: 01-10-1985Hong Kong (< 01-07-1997) Entry into force: 01-10-1985Jersey Entry into force: 01-10-1985Man, Isle of Entry into force: 01-11-1992Montserrat Entry into force: 01-10-1985Pitcairn Islands Entry into force: 01-10-1985Saint-Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Entry into force: 01-10-1985Turks and Caicos Islands Entry into force: 01-10-1985
-
reservation 23-07-1985 [...] the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
having considered the Convention aforesaid, hereby confirm and ratify the same on
behalf of [...] British Indian Ocean Territory[...].
reservation 11-02-2020 The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland presents its compliments to the Federal Foreign Office and has the honour
to refer to a Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration
and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius dated 10 January 2020 (1197/28).
This concerns the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s extension
of the 1979 Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to the
British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rejects the claims contained
in the Note Verbale of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International
Trade of the Republic of Mauritius. The United Kingdom has no doubt about its sovereignty
over the territory of BIOT, which has been under continuous British sovereignty since
1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the islands that now form BIOT and
the United Kingdom does not recognise its claim.
reservation 22-05-2020 […] the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland made a reservation with
respect to the inclusion of the Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus Longimanus) in
Appendix I to the Convention for the territories of Bermuda, Montserrat and the Turks
and Caicos Islands. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland further
communicated its intention to implement the entire list of species adopted at COP
13 and to withdraw the reservation as soon as the implementing legislation is in place.
Pursuant to Article XI, paragraph 6 of the Convention, the inclusion of the Oceanic
Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus Longimanus) in Appendix I, adopted on 22 February 2020
on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties, shall not enter into force for the
territories of Bermuda, Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
|