Reservations to the convention on the rights of the child

Human Rights Quarterly

Volumn 18, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 472-491

  Schabas, William A ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0001588939     PISSN: 02750392     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1353/hrq.1996.0023     Document Type: Review

References (105)

1. Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted 20 Nov. 1989, C.A. Res. 44/25 (1989), 28 I.L.M. 1448.
2. Despite its name, an interpretative declaration may have the effect of a reservation. If an interpretative declaration seeks to limit a state party's obligations under the instrument, then the declaration constitutes a reservation. See Belilos v. Switzerland, 132 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) (1988), 10 E.H.R.R. 466, 88 I.LR. 635; Henry Bourguignon, The Belilos Case: New Light on Reservations to Multilateral Treaties, 29 VA. J. INT'L L. 347 (1989); Ronald St. J. Macdonald, Reservations Under the European Convention on Human Rights, 21 REVUE BELGE DU DROIT INTERNATIONAL [R.B.D.I.]. 428 (1988); Susan Marks, Reservations Unhinged: The Belilos Case before the European Court of Human Rights, 39 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 300 (1990); Donald McRae, The Legal Effect of Interpretative Declarations, 49 BRIT. Y.B. INT'L L. 160 (1978).
3. Despite its name, an interpretative declaration may have the effect of a reservation. If an interpretative declaration seeks to limit a state party's obligations under the instrument, then the declaration constitutes a reservation. See Belilos v. Switzerland, 132 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) (1988), 10 E.H.R.R. 466, 88 I.LR. 635; Henry Bourguignon, The Belilos Case: New Light on Reservations to Multilateral Treaties, 29 VA. J. INT'L L. 347 (1989); Ronald St. J. Macdonald, Reservations Under the European Convention on Human Rights, 21 REVUE BELGE DU DROIT INTERNATIONAL [R.B.D.I.]. 428 (1988); Susan Marks, Reservations Unhinged: The Belilos Case before the European Court of Human Rights, 39 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 300 (1990); Donald McRae, The Legal Effect of Interpretative Declarations, 49 BRIT. Y.B. INT'L L. 160 (1978).
4. Despite its name, an interpretative declaration may have the effect of a reservation. If an interpretative declaration seeks to limit a state party's obligations under the instrument, then the declaration constitutes a reservation. See Belilos v. Switzerland, 132 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) (1988), 10 E.H.R.R. 466, 88 I.LR. 635; Henry Bourguignon, The Belilos Case: New Light on Reservations to Multilateral Treaties, 29 VA. J. INT'L L. 347 (1989); Ronald St. J. Macdonald, Reservations Under the European Convention on Human Rights, 21 REVUE BELGE DU DROIT INTERNATIONAL [R.B.D.I.]. 428 (1988); Susan Marks, Reservations Unhinged: The Belilos Case before the European Court of Human Rights, 39 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 300 (1990); Donald McRae, The Legal Effect of Interpretative Declarations, 49 BRIT. Y.B. INT'L L. 160 (1978).
5. Despite its name, an interpretative declaration may have the effect of a reservation. If an interpretative declaration seeks to limit a state party's obligations under the instrument, then the declaration constitutes a reservation. See Belilos v. Switzerland, 132 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) (1988), 10 E.H.R.R. 466, 88 I.LR. 635; Henry Bourguignon, The Belilos Case: New Light on Reservations to Multilateral Treaties, 29 VA. J. INT'L L. 347 (1989); Ronald St. J. Macdonald, Reservations Under the European Convention on Human Rights, 21 REVUE BELGE DU DROIT INTERNATIONAL [R.B.D.I.]. 428 (1988); Susan Marks, Reservations Unhinged: The Belilos Case before the European Court of Human Rights, 39 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 300 (1990); Donald McRae, The Legal Effect of Interpretative Declarations, 49 BRIT. Y.B. INT'L L. 160 (1978).
6. The texts of these reservations and declarations are published in Multilateral Treaties, U.N. Doc. ST/LEG/SER.E/10, 192-200. The states which have formulated reservations include: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Holy See, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Slovenia, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Yugoslavia. Belgium, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Iceland, Kuwait, Slovakia, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela have made declarations which probably do not constitute reservations.
7. On reservations generally, see KAVE HOLLOWAY, LES RÉSERVES DANS LES TRAITÉS MULTILATÉRAUX (1958); FRANK HORN, RESERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIVE DECLARATIONS TO MULTILATERAL TREATIES (1988); PIERRE-HENRI IMBERT, LES RÉSERVES AUX TRAITÉS MULTILATÉRAUX (1979); D.R. Anderson, Reservations to Multilateral Conventions - A Reexamination, 13 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 450 (1964); William W. Bishop, Reservations to Treaties, 103 RECUEIL DE COURS DE L'ACADEMIE DU DROIT INTERNATIONAL DE LA HAYE [REC. DES COURS] 245 (1961); Derek W. Bowett, Reservations to Non-Restricted Multilateral Treaties 48 BRIT. Y.B. INT'I L. 67 (1976-77); Massimo Coccia, Reservations to Multilateral Treaties on Human Rights, 15 CAL. W. INT'L L.J. 1 (1985); Gerald Fitzmaurice, Reservations to Multilateral Conventions, 2 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 1 (1953); John K. Gamble Jr., Reservations to Multilateral Treaties - A Macroscopic View of State Practice, 74 AM. J. INT'L L. 372 (1980); Daniel N. Hylton, Default Breakdown: The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties' Inadequate Framework on Reservations, 27 VAND. J. TRANSNAT'L L. 419 (1994); Joseph Nisot, Les réserves aux traités et la Convention de Vienne du 23 mai 1969, REVUE GENERAL DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC [R.G.D.I.P.] 200 (1973); Alain Pellet, First Report on the Law and Practice Relating to Reservations to Treaties, Preliminary Report, U.M. Doc. A/CN.4/470 (1995); Jose Maria Ruda, Reservations to Treaties, 146 REC. DES COURS 95 (1975); Dinah Shelton, Reservations to Human Rights Treaties, CANADIAN HUM. RTS. Y.B. 205 (1983); Gerard Teboul, Remarques sur les réserves aux conventions de codification, R.G.D.I.P. 679 (1982).
8. On reservations generally, see KAVE HOLLOWAY, LES RÉSERVES DANS LES TRAITÉS MULTILATÉRAUX (1958); FRANK HORN, RESERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIVE DECLARATIONS TO MULTILATERAL TREATIES (1988); PIERRE-HENRI IMBERT, LES RÉSERVES AUX TRAITÉS MULTILATÉRAUX (1979); D.R. Anderson, Reservations to Multilateral Conventions - A Reexamination, 13 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 450 (1964); William W. Bishop, Reservations to Treaties, 103 RECUEIL DE COURS DE L'ACADEMIE DU DROIT INTERNATIONAL DE LA HAYE [REC. DES COURS] 245 (1961); Derek W. Bowett, Reservations to Non-Restricted Multilateral Treaties 48 BRIT. Y.B. INT'I L. 67 (1976-77); Massimo Coccia, Reservations to Multilateral Treaties on Human Rights, 15 CAL. W. INT'L L.J. 1 (1985); Gerald Fitzmaurice, Reservations to Multilateral Conventions, 2 INT'L & COMP. L.Q. 1 (1953); John K. Gamble Jr., Reservations to Multilateral Treaties - A Macroscopic View of State Practice, 74 AM. J. INT'L L. 372 (1980); Daniel N. Hylton, Default Breakdown: The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties' Inadequate Framework on Reservations, 27 VAND. J. TRANSNAT'L L. 419 (1994); Joseph Nisot, Les réserves aux traités et la Convention de Vienne du 23 mai 1969, REVUE GENERAL DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC [R.G.D.I.P.] 200 (1973); Alain Pellet, First Report on the Law and Practice Relating to Reservations to Treaties, Preliminary Report, U.M. Doc. A/CN.4/470 (1995); Jose Maria Ruda, Reservations to Treaties, 146 REC. DES COURS 95 (1975); Dinah Shelton, Reservations to Human Rights Treaties, CANADIAN HUM. RTS. Y.B. 205 (1983); Gerard Teboul, Remarques sur les réserves aux conventions de codification, R.G.D.I.P. 679 (1982).
9. Effective Implementation of International Instruments on Human Rights, Including Reporting Obligations Under International Instruments on Human Rights, U.N. Doc. A/ 47/628, § 60 (1992) [hereinafter Effective Implementation].
10. Rebecca Cook, Reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 30 VA. J. INT'L L. 643 (1990); Belinda Clark, The Vienna Convention Reservations Regime and the Convention on Discrimination Against Women, 85 AM. J. INT'L L. 281 (1991); FRÉDÉRIC SUDRE, DROIT INTERNATIONAL ET EUROPÉEN DES DROITS DE L'HOMME 97-98 (1989).
11. Clark, supra note 6, at 316-20.
12. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted 1 8 Dec. 1979 G.A. Res. 34/1 80, 34 U.N. CAOR Supp. (No. 46) at 193, U.N. Doc. A/34/ 36 (1980), reprinted in 19 I.LM. 33 (1980) (entered into force 3 Sep. 1981).
13. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted 16 Dec. 1966, 999 U.N.T.S. 171 (entered into force 23 Mar. 1976). G.A. Res. 2200 (XXI), 21 U.N. GAOR, Supp. (No. 16) 52, U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966).
14. Multilateral Treaties, supra note 3, at 118-26. See Shelton, supra note 4, at 213-14.
15. Effective Implementation, supra note 5, § 36.
16. Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.157/24 ch. III (1993), Pt. I, (1994), reprinted in 14 HUM. RTS. L.J. 352, 357.
17. Id. at 356.
18. Id. at 360.
19. Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 266 U.N.T.S. 3, art. 9 (1957); UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education, 429 U.N.T.S. 93, art. 9 (1960); Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty, Eur. T.S. No. 114.
20. Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 266 U.N.T.S. 3, art. 9 (1957); UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education, 429 U.N.T.S. 93, art. 9 (1960); Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty, Eur. T.S. No. 114.
21. Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 266 U.N.T.S. 3, art. 9 (1957); UNESCO Convention Against Discrimination in Education, 429 U.N.T.S. 93, art. 9 (1960); Protocol No. 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty, Eur. T.S. No. 114.
22. Convention on the Political Rights of Women, 193 R.T.N.U. 135, art. VII (1954).
23. The European Convention on Human Rights, 213 R.T.N.U. 221, Eur. T.S. No. 5, art. 64 (1955), provides no limitation on the content of reservations, other than they must not be "general." However, several requirements of form, such as the need to cite the domestic legislation being reserved and to provide a brief description of this legislation, are imposed.
24. Convention on the Status of Refugees, 189 U.N.T.S. 137, art. 42 § 1 (1954); Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, 309 U.N.T.S. 65, art. 8 (1958); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted 21 Dec. 1965, entered into force 4 Jan. 1969, 660 U.N.T.S. 195; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done 31 Jan. 1967, 19 U.S.T. 6223, T.I.A.S. No. 6577, 606 U.N.T.S. 267, art. VII (entered into force 4 Oct. 1967) (entered into force for U.S. 1 Nov. 1968); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 28. The American Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 Nov. 1969, O.A.S.T.S. No. 36, reprinted in 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (entered into force 18 Jul. 1978), expressly adopts the regime of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 (1979), which is tantamount to allowing reservations that are not contrary to the "object and purpose" of the instrument.
25. Convention on the Status of Refugees, 189 U.N.T.S. 137, art. 42 § 1 (1954); Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, 309 U.N.T.S. 65, art. 8 (1958); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted 21 Dec. 1965, entered into force 4 Jan. 1969, 660 U.N.T.S. 195; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done 31 Jan. 1967, 19 U.S.T. 6223, T.I.A.S. No. 6577, 606 U.N.T.S. 267, art. VII (entered into force 4 Oct. 1967) (entered into force for U.S. 1 Nov. 1968); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 28. The American Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 Nov. 1969, O.A.S.T.S. No. 36, reprinted in 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (entered into force 18 Jul. 1978), expressly adopts the regime of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 (1979), which is tantamount to allowing reservations that are not contrary to the "object and purpose" of the instrument.
26. Convention on the Status of Refugees, 189 U.N.T.S. 137, art. 42 § 1 (1954); Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, 309 U.N.T.S. 65, art. 8 (1958); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted 21 Dec. 1965, entered into force 4 Jan. 1969, 660 U.N.T.S. 195; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done 31 Jan. 1967, 19 U.S.T. 6223, T.I.A.S. No. 6577, 606 U.N.T.S. 267, art. VII (entered into force 4 Oct. 1967) (entered into force for U.S. 1 Nov. 1968); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 28. The American Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 Nov. 1969, O.A.S.T.S. No. 36, reprinted in 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (entered into force 18 Jul. 1978), expressly adopts the regime of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 (1979), which is tantamount to allowing reservations that are not contrary to the "object and purpose" of the instrument.
27. Convention on the Status of Refugees, 189 U.N.T.S. 137, art. 42 § 1 (1954); Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, 309 U.N.T.S. 65, art. 8 (1958); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted 21 Dec. 1965, entered into force 4 Jan. 1969, 660 U.N.T.S. 195; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done 31 Jan. 1967, 19 U.S.T. 6223, T.I.A.S. No. 6577, 606 U.N.T.S. 267, art. VII (entered into force 4 Oct. 1967) (entered into force for U.S. 1 Nov. 1968); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 28. The American Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 Nov. 1969, O.A.S.T.S. No. 36, reprinted in 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (entered into force 18 Jul. 1978), expressly adopts the regime of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 (1979), which is tantamount to allowing reservations that are not contrary to the "object and purpose" of the instrument.
28. Convention on the Status of Refugees, 189 U.N.T.S. 137, art. 42 § 1 (1954); Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, 309 U.N.T.S. 65, art. 8 (1958); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted 21 Dec. 1965, entered into force 4 Jan. 1969, 660 U.N.T.S. 195; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done 31 Jan. 1967, 19 U.S.T. 6223, T.I.A.S. No. 6577, 606 U.N.T.S. 267, art. VII (entered into force 4 Oct. 1967) (entered into force for U.S. 1 Nov. 1968); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 28. The American Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 Nov. 1969, O.A.S.T.S. No. 36, reprinted in 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (entered into force 18 Jul. 1978), expressly adopts the regime of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 (1979), which is tantamount to allowing reservations that are not contrary to the "object and purpose" of the instrument.
29. Convention on the Status of Refugees, 189 U.N.T.S. 137, art. 42 § 1 (1954); Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, 309 U.N.T.S. 65, art. 8 (1958); International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted 21 Dec. 1965, entered into force 4 Jan. 1969, 660 U.N.T.S. 195; Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, done 31 Jan. 1967, 19 U.S.T. 6223, T.I.A.S. No. 6577, 606 U.N.T.S. 267, art. VII (entered into force 4 Oct. 1967) (entered into force for U.S. 1 Nov. 1968); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 28. The American Convention on Human Rights, opened for signature 22 Nov. 1969, O.A.S.T.S. No. 36, reprinted in 9 I.L.M. 673 (1970) (entered into force 18 Jul. 1978), expressly adopts the regime of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1155 U.N.T.S. 331 (1979), which is tantamount to allowing reservations that are not contrary to the "object and purpose" of the instrument.
30. Convention on the Poltitcal Rights of Women, supra note 16.
31. Reservations to the Convention on Genocide, Advisory Opinion, I.C.J. 15 (1951).
32. Convention on the Political Rights of Women, supra note 16.
33. U.N. DOC. E/CN.4/1988/28 (1988), §215. See SHARON DETRICK, THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, A GUIDE TO THE "TRAVAUX PRÉPARATOIRES" 606-09 (1992).
34. Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 9 Dec. 1948, _ U.S.T. _, T.I.A.S. No. _, 78 U.N.T.S. 277, art. IX (entered into force 12 Jan. 1951) (entered into force for U.S. 23 Feb. 1989). This is the provision under which Bosnia and Herzegovina have seized the International Court of Justice and under which provisional measures were ordered by the court. Application of the Convention for the Prevention and Repression of the Crime of Genocide (Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)), I.C.J. 3, 325 (1993).
35. Belilos v. Switzerland, supra note 2.
36. Restrictions to the Death Penalty (arts. 4(2) and 4(4) American Convention on Human Rights), Advisory Opinion OC-3/83, 3 Inter-Am. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) ¶ 61 (1983).
37. General Comment No. 24 (52), U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add.6 (1994), reprinted in 15 HUM. RTS. L.J. 464 (1994).
38. Id. ¶ 8.
39. id.
40. In some cases, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, supra note 17, art. 64, this is a requirement of the treaty. On reservations to the European Convention, see Macdonald, supra note 2; William A. Schabas, Article 64, in LA CONVENTION EUROPÉENNE DES DROITS DE L'HOMME, (L.E. Pettiti et al. eds., 1995); Jochem Abr. Frowein, Reservations to the European Convention on Human Rights, in PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS: THE EUROPEAN DIMENSION; MÉLANGES EN L'HONNEUR DE GÉRARD J. WIARDA 193 (Franz Matscher & Herbert Petzold eds., 1988); Sylvio Marcus-Helmons, L'article 64 de la Convention de Rome ou Les réserves à la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme, 45 REVUE DE DROIT INTERNATIONAL ET DE DROIT COMPARE [R.D. INT'L. & D. COMP.] 7 (1968).
41. On the unacceptability of vague or imprecise reservations, see Temeltasch v. Switzerland (Case 9116/80), 31 EUR. COMM'N H.R. DEC. & REP. 120, 5 Eur. H.R. Rep. 417 (1983); Pierre-Henri Imbert, Les réserves à la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme devant la Commission de Strasbourg (Affaire Temeltasch), R.G.D.I.P. 580 (1983).
42. The texts of the objections are published in Multilateral Treaties, supra note 3, at 200-02.
43. This can be seen from one of its declarations: "The Holy See recognizes that the Convention represents an enactment of principles previously adopted by the United Nations, and once effective as a ratified instrument, will safeguard the rights of the child before as well as after birth. . . ." Multilateral Treaties, supra note 3, at 196.
44. Joori Carolina Duursma, Self-Determination, Statehood and International Relations of Micro-States (1994) (unpublished LL.D. thesis, University of Leiden); Josef Laurenz Kunz, The Status of the Holy See in International Law, 46 AM. J. INT'L L. 308 (1952).
45. Joori Carolina Duursma, Self-Determination, Statehood and International Relations of Micro-States (1994) (unpublished LL.D. thesis, University of Leiden); Josef Laurenz Kunz, The Status of the Holy See in International Law, 46 AM. J. INT'L L. 308 (1952).
46. Soering v. United Kingdom and Germany, 161 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A), 11 Eur. H.R. Rep. 439; Loizidou v. Turkey (Preliminary objections), 310 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A).
47. Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Monaco, Republic of Korea, and Tunisia.
48. It was also invoked by Committee rapporteur Marta Santos Pais: U.N. Doc. CRC/C/ SR.41, § 24.
49. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, supra note 18, art. 21.
50. Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, Republic of Korea, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, and Venezuela.
51. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, supra note 8, art. 16(1)(f), recognizes equal rights of women in adoption matters.
52. Australia, Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
53. International Covenant on Civil and Political rights, supra note 9, art. 10(2)(b), art. 10(3).
54. Conference on Yugoslavia Arbitration Committee Opinion No. 1, 31 I.L.M. 1494, 1496 (1992); Conference on Yugoslavia Arbitration Commission, Opinion No. 2, 31 I.L.M. 1497, 1498 (1992).
55. Conference on Yugoslavia Arbitration Committee Opinion No. 1, 31 I.L.M. 1494, 1496 (1992); Conference on Yugoslavia Arbitration Commission, Opinion No. 2, 31 I.L.M. 1497, 1498 (1992).
56. Some international treaties have included provisions for determining the legality or illegality of reservations. For example, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, supra note 18, art. 20, §2, states that a reservation will be deemed incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty if at least two-thirds of states parties object to the reservation.
57. Id. art. 21.
58. Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, supra note 18, art. 21.
59. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, supra note 23.
60. Convention on the Political Rights of Women, supra note 16. The Court's opinion was accepted by the General Assembly, G.A. Res. 598 (V) (1950).
61. G.A. Res. 598(V), supra note 47, at 21.
62. Id. at 24.
63. Convention on the Rights of the Child, supra note 1, art. 49 § 1.
64. Belgium, Canada, United Kingdom, and Senegal.
65. Convention on the Rights of the Child, supra note 1, art. 43.
66. Id. § 2.
67. Id. art. 50.
68. Ireland v. United Kingdom, 25 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A) ¶ 239 (1978); Belilos v. Switzerland, supra note 2, ¶ 62.
69. The Effect of Reservations on the Entry into Force of the American Convention (arts. 74 and 75), Advisory Opinion OC-2/82, 2 Inter-Am. Ct. H.R. (ser. A), ¶¶ 29-30 (1982).
70. Austria v. Italy (Case 788/60), 1961 Y.B. EUR. CONV. ON H.R. 116, 140; Cyprus v. Turkey (Case 8007/77), 1979 Y.B. EUR. CONV. ON H.R. 226.
71. France v. Turkey (Case 9940/82), 1983 Y.B. EUR. CONV. ON H.R. Part II, Eur. Comm'n Case-Law 31, ¶ 42.
72. It had hinted at the same argument in Temeltasch v. Switzerland (Case 9116/80), 31 Eur. Comm'n H.R. Dec. & Rep. 120 (1983), 5 E.H.R.R. 417 (1983). See also GERARD COHENJONATHAN, LA CONVENTION EUROPÉENNE DES DROITS DE L'HOMME 87-88 (1990).
73. Belilos v. Switzerland, supra note 2, ¶ 47.
74. General Comment No. 24 (52), supra note 26, § 17.
75. According to Imbert, the legal significance of objections may be slight: si effectivement les objections aux réserves faites aux conventions relatives aux droits de l'homme n'ont pas du tout la même portée que dans le cadre d'autres conventions, elles ne sont pas pour autant absolument inutiles. Elles peuvent permettre en particulier de s'opposer à l'interprétation d'une disposition qu pourrait résulter des réserves et, d'une manière générale, de préserver la force d'un principe. IMBERT, supra note 4, at 116.
76. Loizidou v. Turkey (Preliminary objections), supra note 34.
77. Jean-François Flauss, Le contentieux de la validité des réserves à la CEDH devant le tribunal fédéral suisse: Requiem pour la déclaration interprétative relative à l'article 6 ¶1, 5 REVUE UNIVERSELLE DES DROITS DE L'HOMME [R.U.D.H.] 297 (1993).
78. Effective implementation, supra note 5, § 36.
79. Id. § 30.
80. Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/39/45, Vol. II (1985), § 190 (initial report of Egypt); Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/44/38 (1990), § 74 (initial report of Ireland); Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/44/38 (1990), § 273 (initial report of Belgium).
81. Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/39/45, Vol. II (1985), § 190 (initial report of Egypt); Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/44/38 (1990), § 74 (initial report of Ireland); Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/44/38 (1990), § 273 (initial report of Belgium).
82. Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/39/45, Vol. II (1985), § 190 (initial report of Egypt); Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/44/38 (1990), § 74 (initial report of Ireland); Report of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, U.N. Doc. A/44/38 (1990), § 273 (initial report of Belgium).
83. E.g., Finland: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.M. Doc. A/34/40 (1980), § 394; Australia: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/38/40 (1984), § 138; France: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/38/40 (1984), § 315. See Shelton, supra note 4, at 230-31.
84. E.g., Finland: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.M. Doc. A/34/40 (1980), § 394; Australia: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/38/40 (1984), § 138; France: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/38/40 (1984), § 315. See Shelton, supra note 4, at 230-31.
85. E.g., Finland: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.M. Doc. A/34/40 (1980), § 394; Australia: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/38/40 (1984), § 138; France: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/38/40 (1984), § 315. See Shelton, supra note 4, at 230-31.
86. E.g., Norway: Report of the Human Rights Committee, U.N. Doc. A/33/40 (1979), § 232.
87. Consideration of Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 40 of the Covenant, Comments of the Human Rights Committee, U.M. Doc. CCPR/C/79/Add.50 (1995), § 14 (hereinafter Comments of H.R. Committee). On the reservations by the United States, see Louis Henkin, U.S. Ratification of Human Rights Conventions: The Ghost of Senator Bricker, 89 AM. J. INT'L L. 341 (1995); Ved P. Nanda, The U.S. Reservation to the Ban on the Death Penalty for Juvenile Offenders: An Appraisal under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 42 DEPAUL L. REV. 1311 (1993); John Quigley, Criminal Law and Human Rights: Implications of the United States Ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 6 HARV. HUM. RTS. J. 59 (1993); William A. Schabas, Les réserves des États-Unis d'Amérique aux articles 6 et 7 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, 6 R.U.D.H. 137 (1994); William A. Schabas, Invalid Reservations to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Is the United States Still a Party?, 21 BROOK. J. INT'L L. 277 (1995); E.F. Sherman Jr., The U.S. Death Penalty Reservation to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - Exposing the Limitations of the Flexible System Governing Treaty Formation, 29 TEXAS INT'I L.J. 69 (1994); David P. Stewart, U.S. Ratification of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: The Significance of the Reservations, Understandings and Declarations, 14 HUM. RTS. L.J. 77 (1993).
88. Initial report of Egypt, U.M. Doc. CRC/C/3/Add.6, § 174.
89. Preliminary Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child: Egypt, U.N. Doc. CRC/C/15/Add.5 (1992). See also U.N. Doc. CRC/C/1 (1992).
90. U.M. Doc. CRC/C/SR.66 (1992), § 40.
91. Convention on the Rights of the Child, supra note 1, art. 43, § 1.
92. Macdonald, supra note 2, at 449.
93. Comments of H.R. Committee, supra note 70.
94. Switzerland v. United States (Interhandel case), I.C.J. Rep. 6, 117 (1959). See also Judge Lauterpacht's dissenting opinion in France v. Norway (Norwegian Loans Case), I.C.J. Rep. 9, 43-66 (1957).
95. Belilos v. Switzerland, supra note 2, ¶ 60.
96. Verbatim record of the public hearings held on 26 Oct. 1987, Cour Européenne des Droits de l'homme, Eur. Ct. H.R. Doc. Cour/Misc (87) 237, at 45.
97. Id. at 36.
98. Loizidou v. Turkey (Preliminary objections), supra note 34.
99. Bowett, supra note 4, at 76.
100. Id. at 77.
101. Effective Implementation, supra note 5, § 61.
102. Convention on the Rights of the Child, supra note 1, art. 51, § 3. Myanmar withdrew its reservations to the Convention on 19 Oct. 1993. Multilateral Treaties, supra note 3, at 202.
103. Convention on the Rights of the Child, supra note 1, art. 51, § 3. Myanmar withdrew its reservations to the Convention on 19 Oct. 1993. Multilateral Treaties, supra note 3, at 202.
104. Convention on the Rights of the Child, supra note 1, art. 52.
105. 31 Y.B. EUR. CONV. ON H.R. 5 (1988). The declaration has since been re-amended. Doc. H/INF (89) 2, Information Sheet No. 24, 7-8. Leichtenstein has also amended its reservation to article 6 §1 of the European Convention. Doc. H/INF (92) 1, Information Sheet No. 29, at 1. Despite the fact that article 64 of the Convention specifies that reservations must be made at the time of ratification or accession, the production of these amended declarations has gone without comment from either the depository or the other states parties.