Gon 4061
Gon 4061
Government DEPARTME
Notices •NTGOF HOME AFFAIRS
oewermentskennisgewings
The Department of Home Affairs (the "DHA") invites public comments on the White Paper on
Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection: Towards a complete overhaul of the Migration
System in South Africa.
Written submissions should reach the DHA on or before 19 January 2024. Written
submissions should be addressed to the Chief Director: Strategy & Institutional Performance
and may be forwarded to the DHA in any of the following manners:
(a) delivered by hand to the Department of Home Affairs, 230 Johannes Ramokhoase
Street, Hallmark Building, Pretoria, 0001, for attention of Mr Sihle Mthiyane;
(b) mailed to the DHA at Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001; or
(c) e-mailed to [email protected].
nquiries should be directed to Mr Sihle Mthiyane at (012) 406 4353)/ 073 762 0575 or
ah Monama at (012) 406 7114/ 063 680 9897.
"ANNEXURES" A & B
convention
an d
p ro t o c o l
r e l at i n g t o t h e
s tat u s o f
refugees
with an
Introductory Note
by the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 1
introductory note
by the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
( UNHCR )
(1) United Nations General Assembly resolution 429(V) of 14 December 1950, available at
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f08a27.html
(2) The Convention enabled States to make a declaration when becoming party, according
to which the words “events occurring before 1 January 1951” are understood to mean
“events occurring in Europe” prior to that date. This geographical limitation has been
maintained by a very limited number of States, and with the adoption of the 1967
Protocol, has lost much of its significance. The Protocol of 1967 is attached to United
Nations General Assembly resolution 2198 (XXI) of 16 December 1967, available at
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f1cc50.html.
(3) See, for example, the Organization of African Unity (now African Union) Convention
governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa 1969, adopted in Addis
Adaba, 10 September 1969; the European Union Council Directive 2004/83/EC
of 29 April 2004 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third
country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need
international protection and the content of the protection granted, Official Journal
L 304 , 30/09/2004 P. 0012 – 0023. The Cartagena Declaration on Refugees, adopted
at a colloquium held at Cartagena, Colombia, 19-22 November 1984, while non-binding,
also sets out regional standards for refugees in Central America, Mexico and Panama.
2 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 3
The Convention does not however apply to all persons who might otherwise
satisfy the definition of a refugee in Article 1. In particular, the Convention
does not apply to those for whom there are serious reasons for considering
that they have committed war crimes or crimes against humanity, serious
non-political crimes, or are guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and prin-
ciples of the United Nations. The Convention also does not apply to those
refugees who benefit from the protection or assistance of a United Nations
agency other than UNHCR, such as refugees from Palestine who fall under
the auspices of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Nor does the Convention apply to those
refugees who have a status equivalent to nationals in their country of asylum.
Apart from expanding the definition of a refugee, the Protocol obliges States
to comply with the substantive provisions of the 1951 Convention to all per-
sons covered by the refugee definition in Article 1, without any limitation
of date. Although related to the Convention in this way, the Protocol is an
independent instrument, accession to which is not limited to States parties
to the Convention.
Under the Convention and Protocol, there is a particular role for UNHCR.
States undertake to cooperate with UNHCR in the exercise of its functions,
which are set out in its Statute of 1950 along with a range of other General
Assembly resolutions, and, in particular, to facilitate this specific duty of
supervising the application of these instruments. By its Statute, UNHCR is
tasked with, among others, promoting international instruments for the pro-
tection of refugees, and supervising their application.
The fundamental importance and enduring relevance of the Convention and
the Protocol is widely recognized. In 2001, States parties issued a Declaration
reaffirming their commitment to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol,
and they recognized in particular that the core principle of non-refoulement
is embedded in customary international law.(4) Moroever, the General Assem-
bly has frequently called upon States to become parties to these instruments.
(4) Declaration of States parties to the 1951 Convention and/or its 1967 Protocol Relating
to the Status of Refugees, Ministerial Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, Switzerland,
12-13 December 2001, UN Doc. HCR/MMSP/2001/09, 16 January 2002. The Declaration
was welcomed by the UN General Assembly in resolution A/RES/57/187, para. 4,
adopted on 18 December 2001.
4 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 5
final act
of the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries
on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons
Pursuant to the request of the General Assembly, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees participated, without the right to vote, in the
deliberations of the Conference.
6 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
cAteGorY B
Agudas Israel World Organization
Caritas Internationalis
Catholic International Union for Social Service
Commission of the Churches on International Affairs
Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations
Co-ordinating Board of Jewish Organizations
Friends’ World Committee for Consultation
International Association of Penal Law
International Bureau for the Unification of Penal Law
International Committee of the Red Cross
International Council of Women
International Federation of Friends of Young Women
International League for the Rights of Man
International Social Service
International Union for Child Welfare
International Union of Catholic Women’s Leagues
Pax Romana
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
World Jewish Congress
World Union for Progressive Judaism
World Young Women’s Christian Association
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 7
reGiSter
International Relief Committee for Intellectual Workers
League of Red Cross Societies
Standing Conference of Voluntary Agencies
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World University Service
8 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
“refugee”) of the draft Convention. The text of the preamble before the Con-
ference was that which was adopted by the Economic and Social Council on
11 August 1950 in Resolution 319 B II (XI). The text of Article 1 before the
Conference was that recommended by the General Assembly on 14 Decem-
ber 1950 and contained in the Annex to Resolution 429 (V). The latter was a
modification of the text as it had been adopted by the Economic and Social
Council in Resolution 319 B II (XI).
The Conference adopted the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
in two readings. Prior to its second reading it established a Style Commit-
tee composed of the President and the representatives of Belgium, France,
Israel, Italy, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and
the United States of America, together with the High Commissioner for Ref-
ugees, which elected as its Chairman Mr. G. Warren, of the United States of
America. The Style Committee re-drafted the text which had been adopted
by the Conference on first reading, particularly from the point of view of
language and of concordance between the English and French texts.
The Convention was adopted on 25 July by 24 votes to none with no absten-
tions and opened for signature at the European Office of the United Nations
from 28 July to 31 August 1951. It will be re-opened for signature at the per-
manent headquarters of the United Nations in New York from 17 September
1951 to 31 December 1952.
The English and French texts of the Convention, which are equally authen-
tic, are appended to this Final Act.
II. The Conference decided, by 17 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions, that the titles
of the chapters and of the articles of the Convention are included for practi-
cal purposes and do not constitute an element of interpretation.
III. With respect to the draft Protocol relating to the Status of Stateless
Persons, the Conference adopted the following resolution:
The ConferenCe,
having considered the draft Protocol relating to the Status of Stateless Persons,
considering that the subject still requires more detailed study,
decides not to take a decision on the subject at the present Conference and
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 9
refers the draft Protocol back to the appropriate organs of the United
Nations for further study.
B
(Principle of unity of the family) (1)
The ConferenCe,
considering that the unity of the family, the natural and fundamental
group unit of society, is an essential right of the refugee, and that such
unity is constantly threatened, and
noting with satisfaction that, according to the official commentary of the
ad hoc Committee on Statelessness and Related Problems (E/1618, p. 40),
the rights granted to a refugee are extended to members of his family,
recommends Governments to take the necessary measures for the protec-
tion of the refugee’s family especially with a view to:
10 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
(1) Ensuring that the unity of the refugee’s family is maintained particu-
larly in cases where the head of the family has fulfilled the necessary
conditions for admission to a particular country,
(2) The protection of refugees who are minors, in particular unaccompanied
children and girls, with special reference to guardianship and adoption.
c
(Welfare services) (1)
The ConferenCe,
considering that, in the moral, legal and material spheres, refugees need
the help of suitable welfare services, especially that of appropriate non-
governmental organizations,
recommends Governments and inter-governmental bodies to facilitate,
encourage and sustain the efforts of properly qualified organizations.
d
(International co-operation in the field of asylum and resettlement) (1)
The ConferenCe,
considering that many persons still leave their country of origin for rea-
sons of persecution and are entitled to special protection on account of
their position,
recommends that Governments continue to receive refugees in their ter-
ritories and that they act in concert in a true spirit of international co-
operation in order that these refugees may find asylum and the possibil-
ity of resettlement.
e
(Extension of treatment provided by the Convention) (1)
The ConferenCe,
expresses the hope that the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees
will have value as an example exceeding its contractual scope and that
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 11
12 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
convention
Relating to the Status of Refugees
Preamble
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 13
Article 1
definition of the term “ refugee ”
A. For the purposes of the present Convention, the term “refugee” shall
apply to any person who:
(1) Has been considered a refugee under the Arrangements of 12 May 1926
and 30 June 1928 or under the Conventions of 28 October 1933 and 10
February 1938, the Protocol of 14 September 1939 or the Constitution of
the International Refugee Organization;
Decisions of non-eligibility taken by the International Refugee Organ-
ization during the period of its activities shall not prevent the status
of refugee being accorded to persons who fulfil the conditions of para-
graph 2 of this section;
(2) As a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and owing to well-
founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, national-
ity, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is out-
side the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear,
is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who,
not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former
habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such
fear, is unwilling to return to it.
In the case of a person who has more than one nationality, the term “the
country of his nationality” shall mean each of the countries of which he
is a national, and a person shall not be deemed to be lacking the protec-
tion of the country of his nationality if, without any valid reason based
on well-founded fear, he has not availed himself of the protection of one
of the countries of which he is a national.
B.(1) For the purposes of this Convention, the words “events occurring
14 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
C. This Convention shall cease to apply to any person falling under the
terms of section A if:
(1) He has voluntarily re-availed himself of the protection of the country
of his nationality; or
(2) Having lost his nationality, he has voluntarily re-acquired it; or
(3) He has acquired a new nationality, and enjoys the protection of the
country of his new nationality; or
(4) He has voluntarily re-established himself in the country which he left
or outside which he remained owing to fear of persecution; or
(5) He can no longer, because the circumstances in connexion with which he
has been recognized as a refugee have ceased to exist, continue to refuse
to avail himself of the protection of the country of his nationality;
Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a refugee falling under
section A(1) of this article who is able to invoke compelling reasons aris-
ing out of previous persecution for refusing to avail himself of the pro-
tection of the country of nationality;
(6) Being a person who has no nationality he is, because of the circum-
stances in connexion with which he has been recognized as a refugee
have ceased to exist, able to return to the country of his former habitu-
al residence;
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 15
Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a refugee falling under
section A (1) of this article who is able to invoke compelling reasons
arising out of previous persecution for refusing to return to the country
of his former habitual residence.
D. This Convention shall not apply to persons who are at present receiving
from organs or agencies of the United Nations other than the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees protection or assistance.
When such protection or assistance has ceased for any reason, without the
position of such persons being definitively settled in accordance with the
relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations,
these persons shall ipso facto be entitled to the benefits of this Convention.
F. The provisions of this Convention shall not apply to any person with
respect to whom there are serious reasons for considering that:
(a) he has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against
humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to
make provision in respect of such crimes;
(b) he has committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of
refuge prior to his admission to that country as a refugee;
(c) he has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the
United Nations.
Article 2
general oBligations
Every refugee has duties to the country in which he finds himself, which
require in particular that he conform to its laws and regulations as well as to
measures taken for the maintenance of public order.
16 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article 3
non - discrimination
The Contracting States shall apply the provisions of this Convention to refu-
gees without discrimination as to race, religion or country of origin.
Article 4
religion
The Contracting States shall accord to refugees within their territories treat-
ment at least as favourable as that accorded to their nationals with respect to
freedom to practice their religion and freedom as regards the religious educa-
tion of their children.
Article 5
rights granted apart from this convention
Nothing in this Convention shall be deemed to impair any rights and ben-
efits granted by a Contracting State to refugees apart from this Conven-
tion.
Article 6
the term “ in the same circumstances ”
For the purposes of this Convention, the term “in the same circumstances”
implies that any requirements (including requirements as to length and con-
ditions of sojourn or residence) which the particular individual would have
to fulfil for the enjoyment of the right in question, if he were not a refugee,
must be fulfilled by him, with the exception of requirements which by their
nature a refugee is incapable of fulfilling.
Article 7
exemption from reciprocity
1. Except where this Convention contains more favourable provisions, a
Contracting State shall accord to refugees the same treatment as is accorded
to aliens generally.
2. After a period of three years’ residence, all refugees shall enjoy exemp-
tion from legislative reciprocity in the territory of the Contracting States.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 17
3. Each Contracting State shall continue to accord to refugees the rights and
benefits to which they were already entitled, in the absence of reciprocity, at
the date of entry into force of this Convention for that State.
5. The provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 apply both to the rights and ben-
efits referred to in articles 13, 18, 19, 21 and 22 of this Convention and to rights
and benefits for which this Convention does not provide.
Article 8
exemption from exceptional measures
With regard to exceptional measures which may be taken against the person,
property or interests of nationals of a foreign State, the Contracting States shall
not apply such measures to a refugee who is formally a national of the said State
solely on account of such nationality. Contracting States which, under their
legislation, are prevented from applying the general principle expressed in this
article, shall, in appropriate cases, grant exemptions in favour of such refugees.
Article 9
provisional measures
Nothing in this Convention shall prevent a Contracting State, in time of
war or other grave and exceptional circumstances, from taking provisionally
measures which it considers to be essential to the national security in the
case of a particular person, pending a determination by the Contracting State
that that person is in fact a refugee and that the continuance of such meas-
ures is necessary in his case in the interests of national security.
Article 10
continuity of residence
1. Where a refugee has been forcibly displaced during the Second World
18 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article 11
refugee seamen
In the case of refugees regularly serving as crew members on board a ship
flying the flag of a Contracting State, that State shall give sympathetic con-
sideration to their establishment on its territory and the issue of travel docu-
ments to them or their temporary admission to its territory particularly with
a view to facilitating their establishment in another country.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 19
Article 12
personal status
1. The personal status of a refugee shall be governed by the law of the coun-
try of his domicile or, if he has no domicile, by the law of the country of his
residence.
Article 13
movaBle and immovaBle property
The Contracting States shall accord to a refugee treatment as favourable as
possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens
generally in the same circumstances, as regards the acquisition of movable
and immovable property and other rights pertaining thereto, and to leases
and other contracts relating to movable and immovable property.
Article 14
artistic rights and industrial property
In respect of the protection of industrial property, such as inventions, designs
or models, trade marks, trade names, and of rights in literary, artistic, and
scientific works, a refugee shall be accorded in the country in which he has
his habitual residence the same protection as is accorded to nationals of that
20 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article 15
right of association
As regards non-political and non-profit-making associations and trade unions
the Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their
territory the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign
country, in the same circumstances.
Article 16
access to courts
1. A refugee shall have free access to the courts of law on the territory of all
Contracting States.
2. A refugee shall enjoy in the Contracting State in which he has his habit-
ual residence the same treatment as a national in matters pertaining to access
to the Courts, including legal assistance and exemption from cautio judicatum
solvi.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 21
Article 17
wage - earning employment
1. The Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their
territory the most favourable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign
country in the same circumstances, as regards the right to engage in wage-
earning employment.
Article 18
self - employment
The Contracting States shall accord to a refugee lawfully in their territory
22 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
treatment as favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than
that accorded to aliens generally in the same circumstances, as regards the
right to engage on his own account in agriculture, industry, handicrafts and
commerce and to establish commercial and industrial companies.
Article 19
liBeral professions
1. Each Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their
territory who hold diplomas recognized by the competent authorities of that
State, and who are desirous of practicing a liberal profession, treatment as
favourable as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accord-
ed to aliens generally in the same circumstances.
2. The Contracting States shall use their best endeavours consistently with
their laws and constitutions to secure the settlement of such refugees in the
territories, other than the metropolitan territory, for whose international
relations they are responsible.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 23
Article 20
rationing
Where a rationing system exists, which applies to the population at large and
regulates the general distribution of products in short supply, refugees shall
be accorded the same treatment as nationals.
Article 21
housing
As regards housing, the Contracting States, in so far as the matter is regulated
by laws or regulations or is subject to the control of public authorities, shall
accord to refugees lawfully staying in their territory treatment as favourable
as possible and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to aliens
generally in the same circumstances.
Article 22
puBlic education
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees the same treatment as is
accorded to nationals with respect to elementary education.
Article 23
puBlic relief
The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their ter-
24 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
ritory the same treatment with respect to public relief and assistance as is
accorded to their nationals.
Article 24
laBour legislation and social security
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully staying in their
territory the same treatment as is accorded to nationals in respect of the fol-
lowing matters:
(a) In so far as such matters are governed by laws or regulations or are sub-
ject to the control of administrative authorities: remuneration, includ-
ing family allowances where these form part of remuneration, hours
of work, overtime arrangements, holidays with pay, restrictions on
home work, minimum age of employment, apprenticeship and train-
ing, women’s work and the work of young persons, and the enjoyment
of the benefits of collective bargaining;
(b) Social security (legal provisions in respect of employment injury, occu-
pational diseases, maternity, sickness, disability, old age, death, unem-
ployment, family responsibilities and any other contingency which,
according to national laws or regulations, is covered by a social security
scheme), subject to the following limitations:
(i) There may be appropriate arrangements for the maintenance of
acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition;
(ii) National laws or regulations of the country of residence may
prescribe special arrangements concerning benefits or portions of
benefits which are payable wholly out of public funds, and con-
cerning allowances paid to persons who do not fulfil the contribu-
tion conditions prescribed for the award of a normal pension.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 25
26 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article 25
administrative assistance
1. When the exercise of a right by a refugee would normally require the
assistance of authorities of a foreign country to whom he cannot have
recourse, the Contracting States in whose territory he is residing shall
arrange that such assistance be afforded to him by their own authorities or
by an international authority.
Article 26
freedom of movement
Each Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully in its territory the
right to choose their place of residence to move freely within its territory,
subject to any regulations applicable to aliens generally in the same circum-
stances.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 27
Article 27
identity papers
The Contracting States shall issue identity papers to any refugee in their ter-
ritory who does not possess a valid travel document.
Article 28
travel documents
1. The Contracting States shall issue to refugees lawfully staying in their
territory travel documents for the purpose of travel outside their territory,
unless compelling reasons of national security or public order otherwise
require, and the provisions of the Schedule to this Convention shall apply
with respect to such documents. The Contracting States may issue such a
travel document to any other refugee in their territory; they shall in particu-
lar give sympathetic consideration to the issue of such a travel document to
refugees in their territory who are unable to obtain a travel document from
the country of their lawful residence.
Article 29
fiscal charges
1. The Contracting States shall not impose upon refugees duties, charges or
taxes, of any description whatsoever, other or higher than those which are or
may be levied on their nationals in similar situations.
Article 30
transfer of assets
1. A Contracting State shall, in conformity with its laws and regulations,
permit refugees to transfer assets which they have brought into its territory,
28 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
to another country where they have been admitted for the purposes of reset-
tlement.
Article 31
refugees unlawfully in the country of refugee
1. The Contracting States shall not impose penalties, on account of their
illegal entry or presence, on refugees who, coming directly from a territory
where their life or freedom was threatened in the sense of article 1, enter or
are present in their territory without authorization, provided they present
themselves without delay to the authorities and show good cause for their
illegal entry or presence.
2. The Contracting States shall not apply to the movements of such refu-
gees restrictions other than those which are necessary and such restrictions
shall only be applied until their status in the country is regularized or they
obtain admission into another country. The Contracting States shall allow
such refugees a reasonable period and all the necessary facilities to obtain
admission into another country.
Article 32
expulsion
1. The Contracting States shall not expel a refugee lawfully in their terri-
tory save on grounds of national security or public order.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 29
within which to seek legal admission into another country. The Contracting
States reserve the right to apply during that period such internal measures as
they may deem necessary.
Article 33
prohiBition of expulsion or return ( “ refoulement ” )
1. No Contracting State shall expel or return (“refouler”) a refugee in any
manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom
would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, member-
ship of a particular social group or political opinion.
Article 34
naturalization
The Contracting States shall as far as possible facilitate the assimilation and
naturalization of refugees. They shall in particular make every effort to expe-
dite naturalization proceedings and to reduce as far as possible the charges
and costs of such proceedings.
30 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article 35
co-operation of the national authorities with the united nations
1. The Contracting States undertake to co-operate with the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or any other agency of the
United Nations which may succeed it, in the exercise of its functions, and
shall in particular facilitate its duty of supervising the application of the pro-
visions of this Convention.
Article 36
information on national legislation
The Contracting States shall communicate to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations the laws and regulations which they may adopt to ensure the
application of this Convention.
Article 37
relation to previous conventions
Without prejudice to article 28, paragraph 2, of this Convention, this
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 31
32 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article 38
settlement of disputes
Any dispute between parties to this Convention relating to its interpretation
or application, which cannot be settled by other means, shall be referred to
the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of the parties to
the dispute.
Article 39
signature , ratification and accession
1. This Convention shall be opened for signature at Geneva on 28 July 1951
and shall thereafter be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United
Nations. It shall be open for signature at the European Office of the United
Nations from 28 July to 31 August 1951 and shall be re-opened for signature at
the Headquarters of the United Nations from 17 September 1951 to 31 Decem-
ber 1952.
2. This Convention shall be open for signature on behalf of all States Mem-
bers of the United Nations, and also on behalf of any other State invited to
attend the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and
Stateless Persons or to which an invitation to sign will have been addressed
by the General Assembly. It shall be ratified and the instruments of ratifica-
tion shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
3. This Convention shall be open from 28 July 1951 for accession by the
States referred to in paragraph 2 of this article. Accession shall be effected by
the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the
United Nations.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 33
Article 40
territorial application clause
1. Any State may, at the time of signature, ratification or accession, declare
that this Convention shall extend to all or any of the territories for the inter-
national relations of which it is responsible. Such a declaration shall take
effect when the Convention enters into force for the State concerned.
Article 41
federal clause
In the case of a Federal or non-unitary State, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the
legislative jurisdiction of the federal legislative authority, the obliga-
tions of the Federal Government shall to this extent be the same as
those of Parties which are not Federal States;
(b) With respect to those articles of this Convention that come within the
legislative jurisdiction of constituent States, provinces or cantons which
are not, under the constitutional system of the federation, bound to take
legislative action, the Federal Government shall bring such articles with
a favourable recommendation to the notice of the appropriate authori-
ties of states, provinces or cantons at the earliest possible moment;
(c) A Federal State Party to this Convention shall, at the request of any
other Contracting State transmitted through the Secretary-General of
34 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
the United Nations, supply a statement of the law and practice of the
Federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular provi-
sion of the Convention showing the extent to which effect has been
given to that provision by legislative or other action.
Article 42
reservations
1. At the time of signature, ratification or accession, any State may make
reservations to articles of the Convention other than to articles 1, 3, 4, 16(1),
33, 36-46 inclusive.
Article 43
entry into force
1. This Convention shall come into force on the ninetieth day following the
day of deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit of
the sixth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter
into force on the ninetieth day following the date of deposit by such State of
its instrument or ratification or accession.
Article 44
denunciation
1. Any Contracting State may denounce this Convention at any time by a
notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. Such denunciation shall take effect for the Contracting State concerned
one year from the date upon which it is received by the Secretary-General of
the United Nations.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 35
Article 45
revision
1. Any Contracting State may request revision of this Convention at any time
by a notification addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. The General Assembly of the United Nations shall recommend the steps,
if any, to be taken in respect of such request.
Article 46
notifications By
the secretary - general of the united nations
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all Members of
the United Nations and non-member States referred to in article 39:
(a) Of declarations and notifications in accordance with section B of article 1;
(b) Of signatures, ratifications and accessions in accordance with article 39;
(c) Of declarations and notifications in accordance with article 40;
(d) Of reservations and withdrawals in accordance with article 42;
(e) Of the date on which this Convention will come into force in accord-
ance with article 43;
(f) Of denunciations and notifications in accordance with article 44;
(g) Of requests for revision in accordance with article 45.
in faith whereof the undersigned, duly authorized, have signed this Conven-
tion on behalf of their respective Governments,
done at Geneva, this twenty-eighth day of July, one thousand nine hundred
and fifty-one, in a single copy, of which the English and French texts are
36 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
equally authentic and which shall remain deposited in the archives of the
United Nations, and certified true copies of which shall be delivered to all
Members of the United Nations and to the non-member States referred to
in article 39.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 37
schedule
Paragraph 1
1. The travel document referred to in article 28 of this Convention shall be
similar to the specimen annexed hereto.
2. The document shall be made out in at least two languages, one of which
shall be English or French.
Paragraph 2
Subject to the regulations obtaining in the country of issue, children may be
included in the travel document of a parent or, in exceptional circumstances,
of another adult refugee.
Paragraph 3
The fees charged for issue of the document shall not exceed the lowest scale
of charges for national passports.
Paragraph 4
Save in special or exceptional cases, the document shall be made valid for the
largest possible number of countries.
Paragraph 5
The document shall have a validity of either one or two years, at the discre-
tion of the issuing authority.
Paragraph 6
1. The renewal or extension of the validity of the document is a matter for
the authority which issued it, so long as the holder has not established lawful
residence in another territory and resides lawfully in the territory of the said
38 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
authority. The issue of a new document is, under the same conditions, a mat-
ter for the authority which issued the former document.
Paragraph 7
The Contracting States shall recognize the validity of the documents issued
in accordance with the provisions of article 28 of this Convention.
Paragraph 8
The competent authorities of the country to which the refugee desires to
proceed shall, if they are prepared to admit him and if a visa is required, affix
a visa on the document of which he is the holder.
Paragraph 9
1. The Contracting States undertake to issue transit visas to refugees who
have obtained visas for a territory of final destination.
2. The issue of such visas may be refused on grounds which would justify
refusal of a visa to any alien.
Paragraph 10
The fees for the issue of exit, entry or transit visas shall not exceed the lowest
scale of charges for visas on foreign passports.
Paragraph 11
When a refugee has lawfully taken up residence in the territory of another
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 39
Contracting State, the responsibility for the issue of a new document, under
the terms and conditions of article 28, shall be that of the competent author-
ity of that territory, to which the refugee shall be entitled to apply.
Paragraph 12
The authority issuing a new document shall withdraw the old document
and shall return it to the country of issue if it is stated in the document that
it should be so returned; otherwise it shall withdraw and cancel the docu-
ment.
Paragraph 13
1. Each Contracting State undertakes that the holder of a travel document
issued by it in accordance with article 28 of this Convention shall be re-
admitted to its territory at any time during the period of its validity.
Paragraph 14
Subject only to the terms of paragraph 13, the provisions of this Schedule in
no way affect the laws and regulations governing the conditions of admission
to, transit through, residence and establishment in, and departure from, the
territories of the Contracting States.
Paragraph 15
Neither the issue of the document nor the entries made thereon determine
or affect the status of the holder, particularly as regards nationality.
40 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Paragraph 16
The issue of the document does not in any way entitle the holder to the pro-
tection of the diplomatic or consular authorities of the country of issue, and
does not confer on these authorities a right of protection.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 41
annex
Specimen Travel Document
(Cover of booklet)
trAVel docuMent
(Convention of 28 July 1951)
no.
(1)
trAVel docuMent
(Convention of 28 July 1951)
1. This document is issued solely with a view to providing the holder with
a travel document which can serve in lieu of a national passport. It is without
prejudice to and in no way affects the holder’s nationality.
42 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
unless some later date is hereafter specified. [The period during which the
holder is allowed to return must not be less than three months.]
3. Should the holder take up residence in a country other than that which
issued the present document, he must, if he wishes to travel again, apply to
the competent authorities of his country of residence for a new document.
[The old travel document shall be withdrawn by the authority issuing the
new document and returned to the authority which issued it.] (1)
(2)
Place and date of birth
Occupation
Present residence
*Maiden name and forename(s) of wife
Description
Height
Hair
Colour of eyes
Nose
Shape of face
Complexion
Special peculiarities
(3)
Photograph of holder and stamp of issuing authority
Finger-prints of holder (if required)
Signature of holder
(4)
1. This document is valid for the following countries:
Issued at
Date
Signature and stamp of authority
issuing the document:
Fee paid:
(5)
Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid: From
To
Done at Date
Signature and stamp of authority
extending or renewing the validity of
the document:
44 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
(6)
Extension or renewal of validity
Fee paid: From
To
Done at Date
Signature and stamp of authority
extending or renewing the validity of
the document:
(7-32)
Visas
The name of the holder of the document must be repeated in each visa.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 45
Printed by and obtainable from the Government Printer, Bosman Street, Private Bag X85, Pretoria, 0001
Contact Centre Tel: 012-748 6200. eMail: [email protected]
Publications: Tel: (012) 748 6053, 748 6061, 748 6065
November
Vol. 701 10 2023 No. 49690
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Part 2 of 2
Article I
general provision
1. The States Parties to the present Protocol undertake to apply articles 2 to
34 inclusive of the Convention to refugees as hereinafter defined.
2. For the purpose of the present Protocol, the term “refugee” shall, except
as regards the application of paragraph 3 of this article, mean any person
within the definition of article 1 of the Convention as if the words “As a result
of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and ...” “and the words”... “a result of
such events”, in article 1 A (2) were omitted.
3. The present Protocol shall be applied by the States Parties hereto with-
out any geographic limitation, save that existing declarations made by States
already Parties to the Convention in accordance with article 1 B (1) (a) of the
46 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Convention, shall, unless extended under article 1 B (2) thereof, apply also
under the present Protocol.
Article II
co-operation of the national authorities with the united nations
1. The States Parties to the present Protocol undertake to co-operate with
the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or any
other agency of the United Nations which may succeed it, in the exercise
of its functions, and shall in particular facilitate its duty of supervising the
application of the provisions of the present Protocol.
Article III
information on national legislation
The States Parties to the present Protocol shall communicate to the Secre-
tary-General of the United Nations the laws and regulations which they may
adopt to ensure the application of the present Protocol.
Article IV
settlement of disputes
Any dispute between States Parties to the present Protocol which relates to
its interpretation or application and which cannot be settled by other means
shall be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any
one of the parties to the dispute.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 47
Article V
accession
The present Protocol shall be open for accession on behalf of all States Parties
to the Convention and of any other State Member of the United Nations or
member of any of the specialized agencies or to which an invitation to accede
may have been addressed by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with
the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article VI
federal clause
In the case of a Federal or non-unitary State, the following provisions shall
apply:
(a) With respect to those articles of the Convention to be applied in
accordance with article I, paragraph 1, of the present Protocol that
come within the legislative jurisdiction of the federal legislative
authority, the obligations of the Federal Government shall to this
extent be the same as those of States Parties which are not Federal
States;
(b) With respect to those articles of the Convention to be applied in accord-
ance with article I, paragraph 1, of the present Protocol that come
within the legislative jurisdiction of constituent States, provinces or
cantons which are not, under the constitutional system of the federa-
tion, bound to take legislative action, the Federal Government shall
bring such articles with a favourable recommendation to the notice of
the appropriate authorities of States, provinces or cantons at the earli-
est possible moment;
(c) A Federal State Party to the present Protocol shall, at the request of
any other State Party hereto transmitted through the Secretary-Gen-
eral of the United Nations, supply a statement of the law and practice
of the Federation and its constituent units in regard to any particular
provision of the Convention to be applied in accordance with article I,
paragraph 1, of the present Protocol, showing the extent to which effect
has been given to that provision by legislative or other action.
48 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
Article VII
reservations and declarations
1. At the time of accession, any State may make reservations in respect of
article IV of the present Protocol and in respect of the application in accordance
with article I of the present Protocol of any provisions of the Convention other
than those contained in articles 1, 3, 4, 16 (1) and 33 thereof, provided that in the
case of a State Party to the Convention reservations made under this article
shall not extend to refugees in respect of whom the Convention applies.
Article VIII
entry into force
1. The present Protocol shall come into force on the day of deposit of the
sixth instrument of accession.
2. For each State acceding to the Protocol after the deposit of the sixth
instrument of accession, the Protocol shall come into force on the date of
deposit by such State of its instrument of accession.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 49
Article IX
denunciation
1. Any State Party hereto may denounce this Protocol at any time by a noti-
fication addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. Such denunciation shall take effect for the State Party concerned one year
from the date on which it is received by the Secretary-General of the United
Nations.
Article X
notifications
By the secretary - general of the united nations
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform the States referred
to in article V above of the date of entry into force, accessions, reservations
and withdrawals of reservations to and denunciations of the present Proto-
col, and of declarations and notifications relating hereto.
Article XI
deposit in the archives
of the secretariat of the united nations
A copy of the present Protocol, of which the Chinese, English, French, Rus-
sian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, signed by the President of the
General Assembly and by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, shall
be deposited in the archives of the Secretariat of the United Nations. The
Secretary-General will transmit certified copies thereof to all States Members
of the United Nations and to the other States referred to in article V above.
50 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
(1) United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 189 (1954), No. 2545.
(2) See A/6311/Rev.1/Add.1, part two, para. 38.
c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l 51
considering that the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1186 (XLI)
of 18 November 1966, took note with approval of the draft Protocol contained
in the addendum to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees and concerning measures to extend the personal scope of the Con-
vention(3) and transmitted the addendum to the General Assembly,
1. takes note of the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, the text
of which(3) is contained in the addendum to the report of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;
2. requests the Secretary-General to transmit the text of the Protocol to
the States mentioned in article V thereof, with a view to enabling them
to accede to the Protocol(4).
1495th plenary meeting, 16 December 1966
52 c o n v e n t i o n a n d p r o t o c o l
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"ANNEXURE" C
oau
convention
g ov e r n i n g t h e
specific aspects of
refugee problems
i n a f r i ca
la con v e n t i on
de l’oua
l’ oua
régissant les
a s p e c t s p ro p r e s
au x p ro b l è m e s
des réfugiés en
afrique
oau
c o n v e n t i o n
governing
the specific aspects of refugee problems
in africa
ADOPTED BY
the Assembly of Heads of State and Government
at its Sixth Ordinary Session
ADDIS-ABABA, 10 SEPTEMBER 1969
TEXT
UNITED NATIONS, TREATY SERIES No. 14691
PREAMBLE
We, the Heads of State and Government, assembled in the city of Addis Ababa,
from 6 to 10 September 1969,
NOTING with concern the constantly increasing number of refugees in Afri-
ca and desirous of finding ways and means of alleviating their misery and
suffering as well as providing them with a better life and future,
RECOGNIZING the need for an essentially humanitarian approach towards
solving the problems of refugees,
AWARE ,
however, that refugee problems are a source of friction among many
Member States, and desirous of eliminating the source of such discord,
ANXIOUS TO MAKE a distinction between a refugee who seeks a peaceful and normal
life and a person fleeing his country for the sole purpose of fomenting subver-
sion from outside,
DETERMINED that the activities of such subversive elements should be discouraged,
in accordance with the Declaration on the Problem of Subversion and Resolu-
tion on the Problem of Refugees adopted at Accra in 1965,
BEARING IN MIND that the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Dec-
laration of Human Rights have affirmed the principle that human beings shall
enjoy fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination,
RECALLING Resolution 2312 (XXII) of 14 December 1967 of the United Nations Gen-
eral Assembly, relating to the Declaration on Territorial Asylum,
CONVINCED that all the problems of our continent must be solved in the
spirit of the Charter of the Organization of African Unity and in the African
context,
RECOGNIZING that the United Nations Convention of 28 July 1951, as modified by
the Protocol of 31 January 1967, constitutes the basic and universal instrument
2 OAU C O N V E N T I O N
relating to the status of refugees and reflects the deep concern of States for refu-
gees and their desire to establish common standards for their treatment,
RECALLING Resolution 26 and 104 of the OAU Assemblies of Heads of State and
Government, calling upon Member States of the Organization who had not
already done so to accede to the United Nations Convention of 1951 and to the
Protocol of 1967 relating to the Status of Refugees, and meanwhile to apply their
provisions to refugees in Africa,
CONVINCED that the efficiency of the measures recommended by the present Con-
vention to solve the problem of refugees in Africa necessitates close and continu-
ous collaboration between the Organization of African Unity and the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
Article 1
DEFINITION OF THE TERM “REFUGEE ”
1. For the purposes of this Convention, the term “refugee” shall mean every
person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race,
religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opin-
ion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear,
is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country, or who, not having
a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as
a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to
it.
2. The term “refugee” shall also apply to every person who, owing to exter-
nal aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturb-
ing public order in either part or the whole of his country of origin or nation-
ality, is compelled to leave his place of habitual residence in order to seek
refuge in another place outside his country of origin or nationality.
3. In the case of a person who has several nationalities, the term “a country of
which he is a national” shall mean each of the countries of which he is a national,
and a person shall not be deemed to be lacking the protection of the country of
which he is a national if, without any valid reason based on well-founded fear, he
has not availed himself of the protection of one of the countries of which he is a
national.
OAU C O N V E N T I O N 3
5. The provisions of this Convention shall not apply to any person with respect
to whom the country of asylum has serious reasons for considering that:
(a) he has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against
humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make
provision in respect of such crimes;
(b) he committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of refuge
prior to his admission to that country as a refugee;
(c) he has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the
Organization of African Unity;
(d) he has been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the
United Nations.
6. For the purposes of this Convention, the Contracting State of Asylum shall
determine whether an applicant is a refugee.
4 OAU C O N V E N T I O N
Article II
ASYLUM
1. Member States of the OAU shall use their best endeavours consistent with
their respective legislations to receive refugees and to secure the settlement of
those refugees who, for well-founded reasons, are unable or unwilling to return
to their country of origin or nationality.
2. The grant of asylum to refugees is a peaceful and humanitarian act and shall
not be regarded as an unfriendly act by any Member State.
3. No person shall be subjected by a Member State to measures such as rejec-
tion at the frontier, return or expulsion, which would compel him to return to
or remain in a territory where his life, physical integrity or liberty would be
threatened for the reasons set out in Article I, paragraphs 1 and 2.
4. Where a Member State finds difficulty in continuing to grant asylum to
refugees, such Member State may appeal directly to other Member States and
through the OAU, and such other Member States shall in the spirit of African
solidarity and international co-operation take appropriate measures to lighten
the burden of the Member State granting asylum.
5. Where a refugee has not received the right to reside in any country of asy-
lum, he may be granted temporary residence in any country of asylum in which
he first presented himself as a refugee pending arrangement for his resettlement
in accordance with the preceding paragraph.
6. For reasons of security, countries of asylum shall, as far as possible, settle
refugees at a reasonable distance from the frontier of their country of origin.
Article III
PROHIBITION OF SUBVERSIVE ACTIVITIES
1. Every refugee has duties to the country in which he finds himself, which
require in particular that he conforms with its laws and regulations as well as
with measures taken for the maintenance of public order. He shall also abstain
from any subversive activities against any Member State of the OAU.
2. Signatory States undertake to prohibit refugees residing in their respective
territories from attacking any State Member of the OAU, by any activity likely to
cause tension between Member States, and in particular by use of arms, through
the press, or by radio.
OAU C O N V E N T I O N 5
Article IV
NON - DISCRIMINATION
Member States undertake to apply the provisions of this Convention to all refu-
gees without discrimination as to race, religion, nationality, membership of a
particular social group or political opinions.
Article V
VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION
1. The essentially voluntary character of repatriation shall be respected in all
cases and no refugee shall be repatriated against his will.
2. The country of asylum, in collaboration with the country of origin, shall
make adequate arrangements for the safe return of refugees who request repa-
triation.
3. The country of origin, on receiving back refugees, shall facilitate their reset-
tlement and grant them the full rights and privileges of nationals of the country,
and subject them to the same obligations.
4. Refugees who voluntarily return to their country shall in no way be penal-
ized for having left it for any of the reasons giving rise to refugee situations.
Whenever necessary, an appeal shall be made through national information
media and through the Administrative Secretary-General of the OAU, inviting
refugees to return home and giving assurance that the new circumstances pre-
vailing in their country of origin will enable them to return without risk and to
take up a normal and peaceful life without fear of being disturbed or punished,
and that the text of such appeal should be given to refugees and clearly explained
to them by their country of asylum.
5. Refugees who freely decide to return to their homeland, as a result of such
assurances or on their own initiative, shall be given every possible assistance by
the country of asylum, the country of origin, voluntary agencies and interna-
tional and intergovernmental organizations to facilitate their return.
6 OAU C O N V E N T I O N
Article VI
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
1. Subject to Article III, Member States shall issue to refugees lawfully staying
in their territories travel documents in accordance with the United Nations Con-
vention relating to the Status of Refugees and the Schedule and Annex thereto,
for the purpose of travel outside their territory, unless compelling reasons of
national security or public order otherwise require. Member States may issue
such a travel document to any other refugee in their territory.
2. Where an African country of second asylum accepts a refugee from a coun-
try of first asylum, the country of first asylum may be dispensed from issuing a
document with a return clause.
3. Travel documents issued to refugees under previous international agree-
ments by States Parties thereto shall be recognized and treated by Member
States in the same way as if they had been issued to refugees pursuant to this
Article.
Article VII
CO - OPERATION
OF THE NATIONAL AUTHORITIES WITH THE
ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
In order to enable the Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of
African Unity to make reports to the competent organs of the Organization of
African Unity, Member States undertake to provide the Secretariat in the appro-
priate form with information and statistical data requested concerning:
(a) the condition of refugees;
(b) the implementation of this Convention, and
(c) laws, regulations and decrees which are, or may hereafter be, in force relat-
ing to refugees.
OAU C O N V E N T I O N 7
Article VIII
CO - OPERATION
WITH THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
1. Member States shall co-operate with the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees.
2. The present Convention shall be the effective regional complement in Afri-
ca of the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees.
Article IX
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
Any dispute between States signatories to this Convention relating to its inter-
pretation or application, which cannot be settled by other means, shall be
referred to the Commission for Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration of the
Organization of African Unity, at the request of any one of the Parties to the
dispute.
Article X
SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION
1. This Convention is open for signature and accession by all Member States
of the Organization of African Unity and shall be ratified by signatory States in
accordance with their respective constitutional processes. The instruments of
ratification shall be deposited with the Administrative Secretary-General of the
Organization of African Unity.
2. The original instrument, done if possible in African languages, and in Eng-
lish and French, all texts being equally authentic, shall be deposited with the
Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity.
3. Any independent African State, Member of the Organization of African
Unity, may at any time notify the Administrative Secretary-General of the
Organization of African Unity of its accession to this Convention.
8 OAU C O N V E N T I O N
Article XI
ENTRY INTO FORCE
This Convention shall come into force upon deposit of instruments of ratifica-
tion by one-third of the Member States of the Organization of African Unity.
Article XII
AMENDMENT
This Convention may be amended or revised if any Member State makes a writ-
ten request to the Administrative Secretary-General to that effect, provided
however that the proposed amendment shall not be submitted to the Assem-
bly of Heads of State and Government for consideration until all Member States
have been dully notified of it and a period of one year has elapsed. Such an
amendment shall not be effective unless approved by at least two-thirds of the
Member States Parties to the present Convention.
Article XIII
DENUNCIATION
1. Any Member State Party to this Convention may denounce its provisions by
a written notification to the Administrative Secretary-General.
2. At the end of one year from the date of such notification, if not withdrawn,
the Convention shall cease to apply with respect to the denouncing State.
Article XIV
OAU C O N V E N T I O N 9
Article XV
NOTIFICATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY - GENERAL
OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY
The Administrative Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity
shall inform all Members of the Organization:
(a) of signatures, ratifications and accessions in accordance with Article X;
(b) of entry into force, in accordance with Article XI;
(c) of requests for amendments submitted under the terms of Article XII;
(d) of denunciations, in accordance with Article XIII.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we, the Heads of African State and Government, have signed
this Convention.
1. Algeria 15. Guinea 29. Rwanda
2. Botswana 16. Ivory Coast 30. Senegal
3. Burundi 17. Kenya 31. Sierra Leone
4. Cameroon 18. Lesotho 32. Somalia
5. Central African 19. Liberia 33. Sudan
Republic 20. Libya 34. Swaziland
6. Chad 35. Togo
21. Madagascar
7. Congo (Brazzaville) 36. Tunisia
22. Malawi
8. Congo (Kinshasa) 37. Uganda
23. Mali
9. Dahomey 38. United Arab Republic
24. Mauritania
10. Equatorial Guinea 39. United Republic
25. Mauritius
11. Ethiopia of Tanzania
26. Morocco
12. Gabon 40. Upper Volta
27. Niger
13. Gambia 41. Zambia
28. Nigeria
14. Ghana
DONE in the City of Addis Ababa this 10th day of September 1969.
10 OAU C O N V E N T I O N
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