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Ratifications' table as at 10 Jul 2002.back to introduction --»
States UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education, 1960UNESCO International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (United Nations, 1965)CERD It recognizes the competence of the CERD Committee to receive and consider communications from individuals or groups of individualsART. 14 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, United Nations 1966ICCPR 1st Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (United Nations, 1966)OP International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, United Nations 1966ICESCR Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, United Nations 1979CEDAW The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (United Nations, 1999)OP Convention on the Rights ofthe Child, United Nations 1989CRC
Afghanistan Afghanistan reserves the right to express, upon ratifying the Convention, reservations on all provisions of the Convention that are incompatible with the laws of Islamic Shari'a and the local legislation in effect.
Albania
Algeria Interpretative declaration: The Algerian Government considers that the provisions of Article 13, para 3 and 4 (right to education), of the Covenant can in no case impair its rights freely to organise its educational system. Article 16: The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria declares that the provisions of article 16 concerning equal rights for men and women in all matters relating to marriage, both during marriage and at its dissolution, should not contradict the provisions of the Algerian Family Code. Interpretative declarations: Article 14, paragraphs 1 and 2 (child's freedom of thought, and parents' right of direction): The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 14 shall be interpreted by the Algerian Government in compliance with the basic foundations of the Algerian legal system, in particular: - With the Constitution, which stipulates in its article 2 that Islam is the State religion and in its article 35 that 'there shall be no infringement of the inviolability of the freedom of conviction and the inviolability of the freedom of opinion'; - With Law No. 84-11 of 9 June 1984, comprising the Family Code, which stipulates that a child's education is to take place in accordance with the religion of its father. Articles 13 (freedom of expression), 16 (privacy) and 17 (access to information): Articles 13, 16 and 17 shall be applied while taking account of the interest of the child and the need to safeguard its physical and mental integrity. In this framework, the Algerian Government shall interpret the provisions of these articles while taking account of: - The provisions of the Penal Code, in particular those sections relating to breaches of public order, to public decency and to the incitement of minors to immorality and debauchery; - The provisions of Law No. 90-07 of 3 April 1990, comprising the Information Code, and particularly its article 24 stipulating that 'the director of a publication destined for children must be assisted by an educational advisory body'; - Article 26 of the same Code, which provides that 'national and foreign periodicals and specialized publications, whatever their nature or purpose, must not contain any illustration, narrative, information or insertion contrary to Islamic morality, national values or human rights or advocate racism, fanaticism and treason. Further, such publications must contain no publicity or advertising that may promote violence and delinquency.'
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda Declaration: 'The Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda entrenches and guarantees to every person in Antigua and Barbuda the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual irrespective of race or place of origin. The Constitution prescribes judicial processes to be observed in the event of the violation of any of these rights, whether by the state or by a private individual. Acceptance of the Convention by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda does not imply the acceptance of obligations going beyond the constitutional limits nor the acceptance of any obligations to introduce judicial processes beyond those provided in the Constitution's
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas Declaration: 'The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas entrenches and guarantees to every person in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual irrespective of his race or place of origin. The Constitution prescribes judicial process to be observed in the event of the violation of any of these rights whether by the State or by a private individual. Acceptance of this Convention by the Commonwealth of the Bahamas does not imply the acceptance of obligations going beyond the constitutional limits nor the acceptance of any obligations to introduce judicial process beyond these prescribed under the Constitution.' Bahrain12 'The Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 2(a) (equality of men and women), ... of the Convention.'
Bahrain
Bangladesh Articles 10 (protection of the family) and 13 (right to education): 'While the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh accepts the provisions embodied in articles 10 and 13 of the Covenant in principle, it will implement the said provisions in a progressive manner, in keeping with the existing economic conditions and the development plans of the country.' Reservations: '[The Government of Bangladesh] ratifies the Convention with a reservation to article 14, paragraph 1 (freedom of thought). Also article 21 (adoption)would apply subject to the existing laws and practices in Bangladesh.'
Barbados 'The Constitution of Barbados entrenches and guarantees to every person in Barbados the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual irrespective of his race or place of origin. The Constitution prescribes judicial processes to be observed in the event of the violation of any of these rights whether by the State or by a private individual. Accession to the Convention does not imply the acceptance of obligations going beyond the constitutional limits nor the acceptance of any obligations to introduce judicial processes beyond those provided in the Constitution.' 'Reservation:The application of article 13 (2) (a) of the Covenant, in so far as it relates to primary education; since, while the Barbados Government fully accepts the principles embodied in the same articles and undertakes to take the necessary steps to apply them in their entirety, the problems of implementation are such that full application of the principles in question cannot be guaranteed at this stage.'
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana Reservation: 'The Government of the Republic of Botswana enters a reservation with regard to the provisions of article 1 (a child is a person under 18 years old) of the Convention and does not consider itself bound by the same in so far as such may conflict with the Laws and Statutes of Botswana.'
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam Reservation: '[The Government of Brunei Darussalam] expresses its reservations on the provisions of the said Convention which may be contrary to the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam and to the beliefs and principles of Islam, the State, religion, and without prejudice to the generality of the said reservations, in particular expresses its reservation on articles 14 (freedom of thought), 20 (child deprived of his or her family environment) and 21 (adoption) of the Convention.'
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile Declaration: 'The Government of Chile has signed this Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, mindful of the important step which this document represents, not only in terms of the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, but also in terms of their full and permanent integration into society in conditions of equality. The Government is obliged to state, however, that some of the provisions of the Convention are not entirely compatible with current Chilean legislation. At the same time, it reports the establishment of a Commission for the Study and Reform of the Civil Code, which now has before it various proposals to amend, inter alia, those provisions which are not fully consistent with the terms of the Convention. '
China Declaration: 'The signing and ratification of the said Convention by the Taiwan authorities in the name of China are illegal and null and void.'
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba Statement: This Convention, intended to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, should not, as it expressly does in articles 17 and 18, exclude States not Members of the United Nations, members of the specialized agencies or Parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice from making an effective contribution under the Convention, since these articles constitute in themselves a form of discrimination that is at variance with the principles set out in the Convention; the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Cuba accordingly ratifies the Convention, but with the qualification just indicated.
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
former ZaireDemocratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti Declaration: [The Government of Djibouti] shall not consider itself bound by any provisions or articles that are incompatible with its religion and its traditional values
Dominica
Dominican Republica
Ecuador
Egypt Reservation to the text of article 16 concerning the equality of men and women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations during the marriage and upon its dissolution, without prejudice to the Islamic Sharia's provisions whereby women are accorded rights equivalent to those of their spouses so as to ensure a just balance between them. This is out of respect for the sacrosanct nature of the firm religious beliefs which govern marital relations in Egypt and which may not be called in question and in view of the fact that one of the most important bases of these relations is an equivalency of rights and duties so as to ensure complementary which guarantees true equality between the spouses. The provisions of the Sharia lay down that the husband shall pay bridal money to the wife and maintain her fully and shall also make a payment to her upon divorce, whereas the wife retains full rights over her property and is not obliged to spend anything on her keep. The Sharia therefore restricts the wife's rights to divorce by making it contingent on a judge's ruling, whereas no such restriction is laid down in the case of the husband.
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji The reservation and declarations formulated by the Government of the United Kingdom on behalf of Fiji are affirmed but have been redrafted in the following terms: 'To the extent, if any, that the school system of Fiji may not fulfil the obligations referred to in articles 2, 3, or 5 (e) (v), the Government of Fiji reserves the right not to implement the aforementioned provision of the Convention
Finland
France Reservation: In the light of article 2 of the Constitution of the French Republic, the French Government declares that article 27 (minority's rights) is not applicable so far as the Republic is concerned. The Government of the Republic declares that articles 6 (right to work), 9 (right to social security), 11 (right to an adequate standard of life) and 13 (right to education) are not to be interpreted as derogating from provisions governing the access of aliens to employment or as establishing residence requirements for the allocation of certain social benefits. Declarations: The Government of the French Republic declares that the preamble to the Convention-in particular the eleventh preambular paragraph-contains debatable elements which are definitely out of place in this text. The Government of the French Republic declares that the term 'family education' in article 5 (b) of the Convention must be interpreted as meaning public education concerning the family and that, in any event, article 5 will be applied subject to respect for article 17(privacy) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 8 (respect for family and private life) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The Government of the French Republic declares that no provision of the Convention must be interpreted as prevailing over provisions of French legislation which are more favourable to women than to men. Reservations: Article 5 (b) and 16, 1 (d) 1) The Government of the French Republic declares that article 5 (b)(family education) and article 16, paragraph 1 (d) (equality of men and women as parents), must not be interpreted as implying joint exercise of parental authority in situations in which French legislation allows of such exercise by only one parent. 2) The Government of the French Republic declares that article 16, paragraph 1 (d), of the Convention must not preclude the application of article 383 of the Civil Code. Article 14 1. The Government of the French Republic declares that article 14, paragraph 2 (c) (social security for women in rural areas), should be interpreted as guaranteeing that women who fulfil the conditions relating to family or employment required by French legislation for personal participation shall acquire their own rights within the framework of social security. 2. The Government of the French Republic declares that article 14, paragraph 2 (h) (adequate living conditions for women in rural areas), of the Convention should not be interpreted as implying the actual provision, free of charge, of the services mentioned in that paragraph. Article 16 1 (g) (same rights as husband and wife - family name; profession; occupation) The Government of the French Republic enters a reservation concerning the right to choose a family name mentioned in article 16, paragraph 1 (g), of the Convention. The Government of the Republic declares that, in the light of article 2 of the Constitution of the French Republic, article 30 (respect for the right to cultural life) is not applicable so far as the Republic is concerned.
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana 'The Government of the Republic of Guyana do not interpret the provisions of this Convention as imposing upon them any obligation going beyond the limits set by the Constitution of Guyana or imposing upon them any obligation requiring the introduction of judicial processes going beyond those provided under the same Constitution.'
Haiti
Holy See Reservations: The Holy See] interprets the articles of the Convention in a way which safeguards the primary and inalienable rights of parents, in particular insofar as these rights concern education (articles 13 and 28), religion (article 14), association with others (article 15) and privacy (article 16). [The Holy See declares] that the application of the Convention be compatible in practice with the particular nature of the Vatican City State and of the sources of its objective law (art. 1, Law of 7 June 1929, n. 11) and, in consideration of its limited extent, with its legislation in the matters of citizenship, access and residence.
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India With reference to articles 4 (limitations on the enjoyment of the rights) and 8 (trade unions) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Government of the Republic of India declares that the provisions of the said [article] shall be so applied as to be in conformity with the provisions of article 19 of the Constitution of India. Declarations: 'i) With regard to articles 5 (a) (modification of cultural patterns, elimination of prejudices, stereotyped roles for men and women) and 16 (1) (same rights in marriage) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Government of the Republic of India declares that it shall abide by and ensure these provisions in conformity with its policy of non-interference in the personal affairs of any Community without its initiative and consent. 'ii) With regard to article 16 (2) (minimum age for marriage) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Government of the Republic of India declares that though in principle it fully supports the principle of compulsory registration of marriages, it is not practical in a vast country like India with its variety of customs, religions and level of literacy.' Declaration: 'While fully subscribing to the objectives and purposes of the Convention, realising that certain of the rights of child, namely those pertaining to the economic, social and cultural rights can only be progressively implemented in the developing countries, subject to the extent of available resources and within the framework of international co-operation; recognising that the child has to be protected from exploitation of all forms including economic exploitation; noting that for several reasons children of different ages do work in India; having prescribed minimum ages for employment in hazardous occupations and in certain other areas; having made regulatory provisions regarding hours and conditions of employment; and being aware that it is not practical immediately to prescribe minimum ages for admission to each and every area of employment in India - the Government of India undertakes to take measures to progressively implement the provisions of article 32, particularly paragraph 2 (a), in accordance with its national legislation and relevant international instruments to which it is a State Party.'
Indonesia Reservation: The 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia guarantees the fundamental rights of the child irrespective of their sex, ethnicity or race. The Constitution prescribes those rights to be implemented by national laws and regulations. The ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Republic of Indonesia does not imply the acceptance of obligations going beyond the Constitutional limits nor the acceptance of any obligation to introduce any right beyond those prescribed under the Constitution. With reference to the provisions of articles 1, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 29 of this Convention, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia declares that it will apply these articles in conformity with its Constitution.
Iraq Approval of and accession to this Convention shall not mean that the Republic of Iraq is bound by the provisions of article 2, paragraphs (f) and (g) (modification of the legislation regarding discrimination to women), of article 9 (same rights regarding nationality), paragraphs 1 and 2, nor of article 16 of the Convention. The reservation to this last-mentioned article shall be without prejudice to the provisions of the Islamic Shariah according women rights equivalent to the rights of their spouses so as to ensure a just balance between them. Reservation: The Government of Iraq has seen fit to accept [the Convention] ... subject to a reservation in respect to article 14, paragraph 1, concerning the child's freedom of religion, as allowing a child to change his or her religion runs counter to the provisions of the Islamic Shariah.
Ireland 'Article 2, paragraph 2 (non-discrimination) In the context of Government policy to foster, promote and encourage the use of the Irish language by all appropriate means, Ireland reserves the right to require, or give favourable consideration to, a knowledge of the Irish language for certain occupations. Article 13, paragraph 2 (a) (free and compulsory primary education) Ireland recognises the inalienable right and duty of parents to provide for the education of children, and, while recognising the State's obligations to provide for free primary education and requiring that children receive a certain minimum education, nevertheless reserves the right to allow parents to provide for the education of their children in their homes provided that these minimum standards are observed.' Articles 16, 1 (d) and (f) Ireland is of the view that the attainment in Ireland of the objectives of the Convention does not necessitate the extension to men of rights identical to those accorded by law to women in respect of the guardianship, adoption and custody of children born out of wedlock and reserves the right to implement the Convention subject to that understanding. Declaration: 'Ireland reserves the right to make, when ratifying the Convention, such declarations or reservations as it may consider necessary.'
Islamic Republic of Iran The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right not to apply any provisions or articles of the Convention that are incompatible with Islamic Laws and the international legislation in effect.
Israel The State of Israel hereby expresses its reservation with regard to article 16 of the Convention (equal rights in marriage), to the extent that the laws on personal status which are binding on the various religious communities in Israel do not conform with the provisions of that article.
Italy
Jamaica 'The Constitution of Jamaica entrenches and guarantees to every person in Jamaica the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual irrespective of his race or place of origin. The Constitution prescribes judicial processes to be observed in the event of the violation of any of these rights whether by the State or by a private individual. Ratification of the Convention by Jamaica does not imply the acceptance of obligations going beyond the constitutional limits nor the acceptance of any obligation to introduce judicial processes beyond those prescribed under the Constitution.' Denounced 1997
Japan '2. Japan reserves the right not to be bound by the provisions of sub-paragraph (d) of paragraph 1 of article 8 (trade union) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, except in relation to the sectors in which the right referred to in the said provisions is accorded in accordance with the laws and regulations of Japan at the time of ratification of the Covenant by the Government of Japan. '3. In applying the provisions of sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 2 of article 13 (right to education) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Japan reserves the right not to be bound by `in particular by the progressive introduction of free education' referred to in the said provisions.
Jordan Reservation: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan expresses its reservation and does not consider itself bound by articles 14, 20 and 21 of the Convention, which grant the child the right to freedom of choice of religion and concern the question of adoption, since they are at variance with the precepts of the tolerant Islamic Shariah.
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati Reservation: 'In respect of article 24 paragraphs (b,c,d,e and f) [right to health], article 26 [social security] and article 28 paragraphs (b,c and d) [right to education], in accordance with article 51 paragraph 1 of the Convention [reservations]. Declaration: The Republic of Kiribati considers that a child's rights as defined in the Convention, in particular the rights defined in articles 12-16 shall be exercised with respect for parental authority, in accordance with the Kiribati customs and traditions regarding the place of the child within and outside the family.'
Kuwait Interpretative declaration regarding article 2, paragraph 1 (non-discrimination), and article 3 (equal right of men and women): Although the Government of Kuwait endorses the worthy principles embodied in these two articles as consistent with the provisions of the Kuwait Constitution in general and of its article 29 in particular, the rights to which the articles refer must be exercised within the limits set by Kuwaiti law. Interpretative declaration regarding article 23 (equal rights in marriage): The Government of Kuwait declares that the matters addressed by article 23 are governed by personal-status law, which is based on Islamic law. Where the provisions of that article conflict with Kuwaiti law, Kuwait will apply its national law. Interpretative declaration regarding article 2, paragraph 2 (non-discrimination), and article 3 (equal right of men and women): Although the Government of Kuwait endorses the worthy principles embodied in article 2, paragraph 2, and article 3 as consistent with the provisions of the Kuwait Constitution in general and of its article 29 (amendments)in particular, it declares that the rights to which the articles refer must be exercised within the limits set by Kuwaiti law. Reservation concerning article 8, paragraph 1 (d): The Government of Kuwait reserves the right not to apply the provisions of article 8, paragraph 1 (d) (right to strike). The Government of the State of Kuwait declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provision contained in article 16 (f) (equal rights regarding guardianship, adoption, etc - best interest of the child shall be a paramount) inasmuch as it conflicts with the provisions of the Islamic Shariah , Islam being the official religion of the State. Reservation: '[Kuwait expresses] reservations on all provisions of the Convention that are incompatible with the laws of Islamic Shari'a and the local statutes in effect.'
Kyrgyzstan