Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession - BPB Business Podium Boards: Offshore, Firmengründungen, Beruf & Karriere

Gast · #1 (**permalink**) 06.02.2007, 18:58

Council of Europe Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession

Konvention des Europarates über die Vermeidung von Staatenlosigkeit in Zusammenhang mit Staatennachfolge

Council of Europe Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession
Strasbourg, 19.V.2006

Preamble

The member States of the Council of Europe and the other States signatory to this Convention,

Considering that the avoidance of statelessness is one of the main concerns of the international community in the field of nationality;

Noting that State succession remains a major source of cases of statelessness;

Recognising that the European Convention on Nationality (ETS No. 166), opened for signature in Strasbourg on 6 November 1997, contains only general principles and not specific rules on nationality in case of State succession;

Bearing in mind that, with regard to statelessness in relation to State succession, other international instruments either do not have a binding character or do not address some important issues;

Convinced that for the reasons above there is a need for a comprehensive international instrument on State succession and the avoidance of statelessness which should be interpreted and applied, bearing in mind the principles of the European Convention on Nationality;

Taking into account Recommendation No. R (99) 18 of the Committee of Ministers on the Avoidance and Reduction of Statelessness, as well as the practical experience gained in recent years with regard to State succession and statelessness;

Having regard to other binding international instruments, namely the United Nations Conventions relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and on the Reduction of Statelessness, and the Vienna Conventions on Succession of States in respect of Treaties and on Succession of States in respect of State Property, Archives and Debts;

Having also regard to the draft articles on nationality of natural persons in relation to the succession of States, prepared by the United Nations International Law Commission, contained in the Annex to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/153 of 2001 as well as the Declaration of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) on the Consequences of State Succession for the Nationality of Natural Persons;

Building upon, but without prejudice to, the general principles established in the international instruments and documents mentioned above, by adding specific rules applicable to the particular situation of statelessness in relation to State succession;

In order to give effect to the principles established in the European Convention on Nationality that everyone has the right to a nationality and that the rule of law and human rights, including the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of nationality and the principle of non-discrimination, must be respected in order to avoid statelessness,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1 – Definitions

For the purposes of this Convention :

a. “State succession” means the replacement of one State by another in the responsibility for the international relations of territory;

b. “State concerned” means the predecessor State or the successor State, as the case may be;

c. “Statelessness” means the situation where a person is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its internal law;

d. “Habitual residence” means a stable factual residence;

e. “Person concerned” means every individual who, at the time of the State succession, had the nationality of the predecessor State and who has or would become stateless as a result of the State succession.

Article 2 – Right to a nationality

Everyone who, at the time of the State succession, had the nationality of the predecessor State and who has or would become stateless as a result of the State succession has the right to the nationality of a State concerned, in accordance with the following articles.

Article 3 – Prevention of statelessness

The State concerned shall take all appropriate measures to prevent persons who, at the time of the State succession, had the nationality of the predecessor State, from becoming stateless as a result of the succession.

Article 4 – Non-discrimination

When applying this Convention, States concerned shall not discriminate against any person concerned on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.

Article 5 – Responsibility of the successor State

1. A successor State shall grant its nationality to persons who, at the time of the State succession, had the nationality of the predecessor State, and who have or would become stateless as a result of the State succession if at that time:

a. they were habitually resident in the territory which has become territory of the successor State, or

b. they were not habitually resident in any State concerned but had an appropriate connection with the successor State.

2. For the purpose of paragraph 1, sub-paragraph b, an appropriate connection includes inter alia:

a. a legal bond to a territorial unit of a predecessor State which has become territory of the successor State;

b. birth on the territory which has become territory of the successor State;

c. last habitual residence on the territory of the predecessor State which has become territory of the successor State.

Article 6 – Responsibility of the predecessor State

A predecessor State shall not withdraw its nationality from its nationals who have not acquired the nationality of a successor State and who would otherwise become stateless as a result of the State succession.

Article 7 – Respect for the expressed will of the person concerned

A successor State shall not refuse to grant its nationality under Article 5 paragraph 1, sub-paragraph b, where such nationality reflects the expressed will of the person concerned, on the grounds that such a person can acquire the nationality of another State concerned on the basis of an appropriate connection with that State.

Article 8 – Rules of proof

1. A successor State shall not insist on its standard requirements of proof necessary for the granting of its nationality in the case of persons who have or would become stateless as a result of State succession and where it is not reasonable for such persons to meet the standard requirements.

2. A successor State shall not require proof of non-acquisition of another nationality before granting its nationality to persons who were habitually resident on its territory at the time of the State succession and who have or would become stateless as a result of the State succession

Article 9 – Facilitating the acquisition of nationality by stateless persons

A State concerned shall facilitate the acquisition of its nationality by persons lawfully and habitually residing on its territory who, despite Articles 5 and 6, are stateless as a result of the State succession.

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Gast · #2 (**permalink**) 06.02.2007, 19:00

Council of Europe Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession

Article 10 – Avoiding statelessness at birth

A State concerned shall grant its nationality at birth to a child born following State succession on its territory to a parent who, at the time of State succession, had the nationality of the predecessor State if that child would otherwise be stateless.

Article 11 – Information to persons concerned

States concerned shall take all necessary steps to ensure that persons concerned have sufficient information about rules and procedures with regard to the acquisition of their nationality.

Article 12 – Procedural guarantees

When applying this Convention, the State concerned shall ensure that in the framework of the procedures relating to nationality :

a. the relevant applications be processed within a reasonable time;

b. the relevant decisions contain reasons in writing and be open to an administrative or judicial review in conformity with its internal law;

c. the fees be reasonable and not an obstacle for applicants.

Article 13 – Settlement by international agreement

States concerned shall endeavour to regulate matters relating to nationality, especially with a view to avoiding statelessness, where appropriate by international agreement.

Article 14 – International co-operation

1. In order to adopt appropriate measures to avoid statelessness arising from State succession, States concerned shall co-operate among themselves, including by providing information with regard to the operation of their relevant internal law.

2. For the same purpose as that mentioned in paragraph 1, States concerned shall also co-operate:

a. with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and,

b. where appropriate, with other States and international organisations.

Article 15 – Application of this Convention

1. This Convention applies in respect of a State succession which has occurred after its entry into force.

2. A State concerned may, however, declare by notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the time of expressing its consent to be bound by this Convention, or, at any time thereafter, that it will also apply the provisions of this Convention to a State succession occurring before the entry into force of this Convention.

3. If several States concerned make a declaration, as set out in paragraph 2, in respect of the same State succession, this Convention will apply between the States making such declaration.

Article 16 – Effects of this Convention

1. The provisions of this Convention shall not prejudice the provisions of internal law and binding international instruments which are already in force or may come into force, under which more favourable rights are or would be accorded to individuals on the avoidance of statelessness.

2. This Convention does not prejudice the application of:

a. the European Convention on Nationality, in particular its Chapter VI relating to State succession and nationality;

b. other binding international instruments in so far as such instruments are compatible with this Convention,

in the relationship between the States Parties bound by these instruments.

Article 17 – Settlement of disputes

Any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention shall primarily be settled through negotiation.

Article 18 – Signature and entry into force

1. This Convention shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe and the non-member States which have participated in its elaboration. Such States may express their consent to be bound by:

a. signature without reservation as to ratification, acceptance or approval; or

b. signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval.

Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

2. This Convention shall enter into force, for all States having expressed their consent to be bound by the Convention, on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date on which three member States of the Council of Europe have expressed their consent to be bound by this Convention in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

3. In respect of any State which subsequently expresses its consent to be bound by it, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of signature or of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

Article 19 – Accession

1. After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any non-member State of the Council of Europe which has not participated in its elaboration to accede to this Convention.

2. In respect of any acceding State, this Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of deposit of the instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Article 20 – Reservations

1. No reservations may be made to this Convention except in respect of the provisions of Article 7, Article 8, paragraph 2, Article 12 and Article 14, paragraph 2, sub-paragraph b.

2. Any reservation made by a State in pursuance of paragraph 1 shall be formulated at the time of signature or upon the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

3. Any State may wholly or partly withdraw a reservation it has made in accordance with paragraph 1 by means of a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe which shall become effective as from the date of its receipt.

Article 21 – Denunciation

1. Any State Party may at any time denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

2. Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of notification by the Secretary General.

Article 22 – Notifications

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council of Europe, any Signatory, any Party and any other State which has acceded to this Convention of:

a. any signature;

b. the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;

c. any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with Articles 18 and 19 of this Convention;

d. any reservation and withdrawal of reservations made in pursuance of the provisions of Article 20 of this Convention;

e. any notification or declaration made under the provisions of Articles 15 and 21 of this Convention;

f. any other act, notification or communication relating to this Convention.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention.

Done at Strasbourg, this 19th day of May 2006, in English and in French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each member State of the Council of Europe, to each non-member State having participated in the elaboration of this Convention and to any State invited to accede to this Convention.

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Gast · #3 (**permalink**) 06.02.2007, 19:04

Council of Europe Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession

Explanatory Report

Introduction

1. The avoidance of statelessness is one of the major preoccupations of the international community. In accordance with customary international law States have an obligation, when determining who are their nationals, to avoid cases of statelessness. The rules for the implementation of this obligation are contained in the 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

2. The avoidance of statelessness is closely linked to the right of the individual to a nationality (1), since the non-fulfilment of this right leads to statelessness. The European Convention on Nationality refers in its Article 4 to both these general principles of international law.

3. Experience has shown that in particular in connection with State succession a large number of persons are at risk of losing their nationality without acquiring another nationality and in consequence becoming stateless. Chapter VI of the European Convention on Nationality on “State succession and nationality” contains some general principles related to nationality which are to be respected by States in the situation of State succession.

4. The present Convention builds upon Chapter VI of the European Convention on Nationality by developing more detailed rules to be applied by States in the context of State succession with a view to preventing, or at least as far as possible reducing, cases of statelessness arising from such situations. It goes without saying that, in accordance with Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, the Convention can only create legal obligations for the States which are Parties to it.

5. Despite the close link between the European Convention on Nationality and the present Convention (see Preamble to the Convention), which recalls the main principles contained in the European Convention on Nationality of particular relevance in the context of State succession, it should be stressed that the Convention is limited in its scope to the avoidance of statelessness as a result of State succession. The Convention is therefore not intended to set the standards to be applied by States for the attribution of their nationality in this context – such standards are instead to be found in Chapter VI of the European Convention on Nationality, in particular its Article 18. Thus, the principles and rules laid down in the Convention do not in any way affect the rights and obligations arising out of the European Convention on Nationality.

Article 1 – Definitions

6. The Convention gives "State succession" the same meaning as other international instruments such as the two Vienna Conventions, on Succession of States in Respect of Treaties (1978) and on Succession of States in Respect of State Property, Archives and Debts (1983), as well as the draft Articles on Nationality of Natural Persons in Relation to the Succession of States, prepared by the United Nations International Law Commission in 1999 (ILC draft Articles). These instruments stipulate that they apply only to the effects of State succession occurring in conformity with international law and, in particular, with the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations.

7. “State succession” may occur as a result of various types of events such as transfer of territory from one State to another, unification of States, dissolution of a State, and separation of part or parts of the territory. The term is used to describe any replacement of one State by another in respect of the responsibility for international territorial relations. States are, however, free to also apply, by way of analogy, the provisions set forth in the Convention to situations which they do not recognise, on the basis of the given definition, as State succession.

8. The term “State concerned” covers “predecessor State” which refers to the State that has been replaced by another State as a result of State succession as well as “successor State” which refers to the State that has replaced another State as a result of State succession. These definitions of predecessor and successor State originate from the two above-mentioned Vienna Conventions on State succession and they have been repeated in the ILC draft Articles. The term “State concerned” covers a situation where there is both a predecessor State and a successor State and where there is more than one of each. However, there will not always necessarily be one or more of each. The predecessor State, or predecessor States, might have disappeared after State succession, in which case the term will only refer to one or more successor States.

9. The definition of “statelessness” is based upon the definition of “a stateless person” given in Article 1 of the 1954 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, but with a slight modification in that it adds that by “law” is meant “internal law” which encompasses all the various types of provisions of the national legal system as specified in Article 2.d of the European Convention on Nationality. The definition in terms of binding legal obligation for the States concerned is thus limited to “de iure stateless persons”, although the Final Act of the 1961 United Nations Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness recommends that persons who are “de facto stateless” should as far as possible be treated as “de iure stateless” to enable them to acquire an effective nationality. The statelessness situation is only relevant for the application of the Convention if it has occurred or will occur as a result of the State succession in question. The Convention does not cover persons who were already stateless at the time of State succession, or persons who become stateless later and not as a result of the State succession.

10. The reference to "habitual residence" is based on an internationally harmonised concept of the term, as used in the Hague Conventions on Private International Law and in Resolution (72) 1 of the Council of Europe on the standardisation of the legal concepts of "domicile" and of "residence" for the purpose of naturalisation. The term refers to a de facto situation and does not imply any legal or formal qualification.

11. The definition of “persons concerned” is based on the one given in the ILC draft Articles and it encompasses all individuals who have already become stateless or who would become stateless as a result of the State succession because they have not acquired or will not acquire the nationality of the successor State and because they have lost or will lose the nationality of the predecessor State.

Article 2 – Right to a nationality

12. The right to a nationality is a fundamental right recognised by Article 15 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This right is one of the basic principles of the European Convention on Nationality. There is no reason why persons who had the nationality of the predecessor State should suddenly be left without any nationality following State succession. They should therefore be protected by the principles of the rule of law and rules of human rights, namely the principles contained in the European Convention on Nationality and its Chapter VI relating to State succession and nationality.

Article 3 – Prevention of statelessness

13. The article contains the general principle that States concerned shall take all necessary action to prevent cases of statelessness arising from State succession. The measures to be applied might include the drawing up of international treaties on the prevention of statelessness and the application of this principle in their internal law. Other measures might also be envisaged. The formalities required to give effect to the rules contained in the internal law, for instance the payment of fees and the application of other administrative or judicial procedures, should not prevent a person who will become stateless as a result of State succession from acquiring a nationality.

14. As a general principle in international law, with a limited number of exceptions (such as cases of fraud), loss of nationality shall, wherever provided for in nationality laws, be based on the condition that the person does not thereby become stateless. This obligation is all the more evident in the case of State succession.

15. The principle stated in Article 3 indicates the general framework upon which other, more specific obligations are based. The elimination of statelessness is the outcome to be achieved by application of the set of principles and rules contained in the Convention, in particular through co-ordinated action of the States concerned by means of settlement by international agreement and international co-operation (see paragraphs 47-55 below).

16. States may if they so wish apply the provisions of the Convention also to de facto stateless persons. This is not a legal obligation but a possibility. State succession may well create situations of de facto statelessness where persons do have the nationality of one of the States concerned but are not able to benefit from the protection of that State.

Article 4 – Non-discrimination

17. The principle of non-discrimination, based on Article 14 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and Protocol No. 12 to the said Convention, has a fundamental role in the avoidance of cases of statelessness in relation to State succession.

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Gast · #4 (**permalink**) 06.02.2007, 19:08

Council of Europe Convention on the avoidance of statelessness in relation to State succession

Article 5 – Responsibility of the successor State

Paragraph 1

18. The responsibility of the successor State concerns two groups of persons:

a. those who were habitual residents on its territory at the time of State succession, and

b. those who have an appropriate connection with that State.

The responsibility of the successor State is limited to former nationals of the predecessor State who have or would become stateless as a result of the State succession in question. It therefore does not cover persons who were already stateless in the predecessor State. The right to a nationality of these persons may instead be covered by Article 6, paragraph 4.g of the European Convention on Nationality.

19. It should be noted that the Convention does not prescribe any specific way in which States should grant their nationality since this belongs to the domain of the internal law of the States concerned. Thus, the State can either grant its nationality on the basis of a voluntary act of the person concerned or automatically (ex lege).

Sub-paragraph a

20. The successor State shall apply the criterion of “habitual residence” to persons residing in its territory at the time of the State succession. The principle reflects the prima facie presumption under international law that the population of a territory follows the change of sovereignty over that territory in matters of nationality. This obligation is also a logical consequence of the fact that a newly-established successor State needs a population.

21. This criterion of “habitual residence” applies to several situations of State succession. Firstly, it concerns the situation of transfer of territory from one State to another State and that of separation of part or parts of the territory of the predecessor State to/from one or more new States. In these cases the successor State shall grant its nationality to persons who were nationals of the predecessor State and who have their habitual residence in the successor State. Secondly, “habitual residence” relates to the situation of the dissolution of a State, where the predecessor State ceases to exist, and to the one of unification of States, where two or more States unite and so form one successor State. The successor State shall grant its nationality to persons who habitually resided on its territory at the time of State succession and who have lost their nationality as a result of the dissolution of the predecessor State or through unification of States.

Sub-paragraph b

22. The second group of persons to whom the successor State has an obligation to grant its nationality are those who did not reside habitually on the territory of a successor State at the time of State succession. This may be either because, although present on the territory of the successor State, they are not considered to have fulfilled the criterion of “habitual residence” or because at the time of State succession they resided outside the territory of the predecessor State and therefore were not habitually resident on the territory of any of the States concerned. The successor State must grant these persons its nationality if there is an appropriate link connecting the individual with this State.

23. The provision is in particular relevant in situations where the predecessor State has ceased to exist and the persons who possessed its nationality have, therefore, automatically lost it at the moment of the State succession and have become stateless. The provision might also be relevant where the predecessor State continues to exist but has not acceded to the Convention and has withdrawn a person’s nationality.

Paragraph 2

24. Three examples of “appropriate connection” have been listed in paragraph 2. These cover the vast majority of cases. The list is however not exhaustive and States may go further. They may take into account other factors as well, such as: previous long residence on the territory; descent (by one generation or more) from a person covered by the article; or marriage to a person covered by the article (see “territorial origin” of a person as referred to in Article 18, paragraph 2.d of the European Convention on Nationality).

25. The example given in Article 5, paragraph 2.a is relevant only in the situation where a legal bond existed between the constituent unit of the predecessor State and the person concerned under the internal law of that State. Such was the case, for example, in federal States (“internal citizenship”). “Legal bond” may also include another kind of legal relationship between a specific part of the territory of a predecessor State (province, region, etc.) and a person concerned.

Article 6 – Responsibility of the predecessor State

26. The responsibility of the predecessor State will only occur in respect of persons who have not acquired the nationality of a successor State. In such cases the predecessor State has an obligation not to withdraw its nationality from persons who are at risk of becoming stateless as a result of the State succession.

27. The article does not distinguish between whether the acquisition of nationality is based on a voluntary act (naturalisation) or has been attributed automatically by the State (ex lege). The simple fact that the person has not acquired the nationality of a successor State brings into effect the responsibility of the predecessor State.

28. The rule that, in order to avoid statelessness as a result of State succession, a predecessor State must not withdraw its nationality from persons who have not acquired that of another State corresponds to Article 7, paragraph 3 of the European Convention on Nationality. However, once the person has acquired the nationality of another State, be it the successor State or a third State, the predecessor State is free to withdraw its nationality, but only in conformity with its obligations under international law.

29. The provision is applicable only in situations where the predecessor State continues to exist after State succession, as is the case after transfer and separation of part or parts of the territory. In cases where the predecessor State has disappeared or is not a State Party to the Convention, only the previous article concerning the responsibility of the successor State shall apply.

Article 7 – Respect for the expressed will of the person concerned

30. The provision applies exclusively to situations where a person has an appropriate connection with more than one successor State (Article 5, paragraph 1.b); in such cases if the person expresses the will to acquire the nationality of one of these States, this State shall not refuse its nationality to the person on the grounds that he or she may acquire the nationality of another successor State. The article is in particular relevant in cases where different family members might have an appropriate connection with several successor States and where the respect of the expressed will of the person concerned may preserve the family unity.

31. The will of a person to acquire the nationality of a specific State is usually expressed in the act of submitting an application for the acquisition of the nationality of this State. For children who have not yet reached the age of majority, as well as for persons lacking legal capacity, the will may be expressed through their legal representative. Where the child is old enough to be consulted his or her free will should be taken into account in conformity with the principle of the best interests of the child as stipulated in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Article 8 – Rules of proof

Paragraph 1

32. The provision takes account of the situation where, due to the particular circumstances which might occur in the situation of State succession, it is impossible or very difficult for a person to fulfil the standard requirements of proof to meet the conditions for the acquisition of nationality.

33. It might in some cases be impossible for a person to provide full documentary proof of his or her descent if, for instance, the civil registry archives have been destroyed, or it might be impossible to provide documentary proof of the place of residence in cases where this was not registered. The provision includes the situation where it might objectively be feasible for a person to provide proof but where it would be unreasonable to demand for instance an action by a person which might put his or her life or health in danger.

34. The circumstances which lead to the difficulty in providing proof in order to meet the requirement are not necessarily always linked directly to the event of the State succession. It might be the consequence of an event that occurred before or after the time of the State succession, for instance where under the regime of the predecessor State a registry was destroyed or essential documents were not issued to a certain group of the population.

35. In the cases mentioned above it shall be sufficient to have a high probability of proof or independent testimony that the conditions for the acquisition of the nationality of a successor State are fulfilled.

Paragraph 2

36. The provision is only relevant in the situation of State succession where the predecessor State has disappeared and all persons possessing the nationality of the predecessor State have lost this nationality as an automatic consequence of that State’s disappearance. If in such a case the new successor State pursues a policy of preventing and reducing cases of multiple nationality, it might require proof from the person that he or she has not acquired another nationality, or that he or she is stateless. The requirement of proof of not possessing another nationality or proof of being stateless is often impossible for the individual to fulfil since it will necessitate the co-operation of other States. This may be the case in particular for stateless refugees. In cases where there is a risk that the person concerned might become stateless as a result of the State succession, the successor State shall not require proof of the non-acquisition of another nationality or of statelessness before granting its nationality. This rule is based on the predominant view that the prevention of statelessness is of primary concern to the international community while the acceptance or non-acceptance of multiple nationality is a matter for the individual State.

37. Article 8 does not prevent a State that wishes to reduce the number of cases of multiple nationality from co-operating with other States and exchanging information on the acquisition and loss of nationality (see Article 14). The provisi