identifier: ETS No. 096

reference: ETS No. 096

title: Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and Military Obligations in Cases of Multiple Nationality

text: European Treaty Series - No. 96

text: Strasbourg, 24.XI.1977

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to this additional Protocol,

text: Considering the desirability of extending and promoting the application of the Convention on the Reduction of Cases of Multiple Nationality and Military Obligations in cases of Multiple Nationality, signed in Strasbourg on 6 May 1963, hereinafter referred to as "the Convention";

text: Considering that this Convention will be fully effective only if it is associated with an arrangement for communication between the Contracting Parties about the acquisition of their nationality by the nationals of other Contracting Parties,

text: Have agreed as follows:

text: Each Contracting Party undertakes to communicate to another Contracting Party any acquisition of its nationality by an adult or a minor who is a national of this State, which has taken place according to the conditions contained in

text: Article 1

text: of the Convention.

text: Article 1

text: This communication is to be made by means of a form according to the appended model within a delay of not more than six months from the date the acquisition of nationality has become effective. The information printed on the form shall be drafted in all the languages of the member States of the Council of Europe and in the languages of non-member States adhering to the Convention. The Secretary General of the Council shall produce the necessary translations and communicate them to the governments of the member States of the Council and States acceding to the Convention.

text: The authorities of the State issuing the communication may decline to complete the information relating to item 4 of the form.

text: Article 2

text: Any Contracting Party on signature or on depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall indicate by means of a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the central authority which has been designated to receive this transmission.

text: ETS 96 – Multiple Nationality (Additional Protocol), 24.XI.1977 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: Article 3

text: This Protocol shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe which are Parties to the Convention and which, if they are Parties to the Protocol amending the Convention, have accepted the provisions of Chapter I of the Convention.

text: Article 4

text: signature without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval;

text: signature with reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: Subject to the provisions of

text: Article 4

text: , the Contracting Parties to the Convention may become Parties to the Additional Protocol by:

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

text: Article 5

text: This Protocol shall enter into force one month after the date on which two Contracting Parties to the Convention shall have become Parties to this Protocol in accordance with the provisions of

text: Article 5

text: As regards any Contracting Party to the Convention who shall subsequently sign this Protocol without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval, or who shall ratify, accept or approve it, this Protocol shall enter into force one month after the date of such signature or after the date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: Article 6

text: After this Protocol has entered into force, any State which acceded to the Convention may accede to this Protocol provided that such State, when acceding to the Protocol amending the Convention, accepts the provisions of Chapter I of the Convention.

text: Any State which is not a member of the Council of Europe invited to accede to the Convention shall be considered as having been invited also to accede to this Protocol, provided that, when it accedes to the Protocol amending the Convention, it accepts the provisions of Chapter I of the Convention.

text: Any such State may accede by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe its instrument of accession, which shall come into force one month after the date of deposit.

text: Article 7

text: Any Contracting Party may, in so far as it is concerned, denounce this Protocol by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: Such denunciations shall take effect one year after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification.

text: Denunciation of the Convention implies ipso jure the denunciation of this Protocol.

text: Article 8

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and the governments of any State which has acceded to the Convention of: a any signature without reservation of ratification, acceptance or approval; b any signature with reservation of ratification, acceptance or approval; c the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; d all dates of entry into force of this Protocol in accordance with

text: Articles 6

text: and 7 thereof; e any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 3

text: ; f any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 8

text: Article 9


doctype: protocol

identifier: ETS No. 097

openingPlace: Strasbourg

publisher: Council of Europe Treaty Office

reference: ETS No. 097

title: Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law

text: European Treaty Series - No. 97

type: stycke

text: Strasbourg, 15.III.1978

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory hereto,

text: Having regard to the provisions of the European Convention on Information on Foreign Law, opened for signature in London on 7 June 1968 (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention");

text: Considering that it is desirable to extend the system of international mutual assistance established by that Convention in the field of criminal law and procedure, in a multilateral framework open to all the Contracting Parties to the Convention;

text: Considering that, with a view to eliminating economic obstacles to legal proceedings and permitting persons in an economically weak position more easily to exercise their rights in member States, it is also desirable to extend the system established by the Convention to the field of legal aid and advice in civil and commercial matters;

text: Noting that

text: Article 1

text: , paragraph 2, of the Convention provides that two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend as between themselves the scope of the Convention to fields other than those referred to in the Convention;

text: Noting that

text: Article 3

text: , paragraph 3, of the Convention provides that two or more Contracting Parties may decide to extend as between themselves the Convention to requests from authorities other than judicial authorities,

text: Have agreed as follows:

text: Chapter I

type: rubrik

text: The Contracting Parties undertake to supply one another, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention, with information on their substantive and procedural law and judicial organisation in the criminal field, including prosecuting authorities, as well as on the law concerning the enforcement of penal measures. This undertaking applies to all proceedings in respect of offences the prosecution of which, at the time of the request for information, falls within the jurisdiction of the judicial authorities of the requesting Party.

text: Article 1

type: artikel

text: A request for information on questions in the field referred to in

text: Article 1

text: may:

ordinal: a

text: emanate not only from a court, but from any judicial authority having jurisdiction to prosecute offences or execute sentences that have been imposed with final and binding effect; and

type: punkt

text: ETS 97 – Information on Foreign Law (Additional Protocol), 15.III.1978 __________________________________________________________________________________

ordinal: b

text: be made not only where proceedings have actually been instituted, but also when the institution of proceedings is envisaged.

text: Article 2

text: Chapter II

text: Within the framework of the undertaking contained in

text: Article 1

text: , paragraph 1 of the Convention, the Contracting Parties agree that requests for information may:

text: emanate not only from a judicial authority but also from any authority or person acting within official systems of legal aid or legal advice on behalf of persons in an economically weak position;

text: be made not only where proceedings have actually been instituted but also when the institution of proceedings is envisaged.

text: Article 3

text: Each Contracting Party which has not set up or appointed one or more bodies to act as a transmitting agency as provided for in

text: Article 2

text: , paragraph 2 of the Convention, shall set up or appoint such an agency or agencies for the purpose of transmitting any request for information in accordance with

text: Article 3

text: of this Protocol to the competent foreign receiving agency.

text: Each Contracting Party shall communicate to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe the name and address of the transmitting agency or agencies set up or appointed in accordance with the preceding paragraph.

text: Article 4

text: Chapter III

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it will only be bound by one or the other of Chapters I and II of this Protocol.

text: Any State having made such a declaration may, at any subsequent time, declare by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe that it will be bound by the provisions of both Chapters I and II. Such notification shall take effect from the date of its reception.

text: Any Contracting Party which is bound by the provisions of both Chapters I and II may at any time declare by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe that it will only be bound by one or the other of Chapters I and II. Such notification shall take effect six months after the date of the receipt of such notification.

text: The provisions of Chapter I or II, as the case may be, shall be applicable only between Contracting Parties which are bound by the Chapter in question.

text: Article 5

text: This Protocol shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to the Convention, who may become Parties to it either by:

text: A member State of the Council of Europe may not sign this Protocol without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval, nor ratify, accept or approve it, unless it has, simultaneously or previously, ratified or accepted the Convention.

text: Article 6

text: This Protocol shall enter into force three months after the date on which three member States of the Council of Europe shall have become Parties to the Protocol in accordance with the provisions of

text: Article 6

text: In the case of any member State which shall subsequently sign the Protocol without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval or which shall ratify, accept or approve it, the Protocol shall enter into force three months after the date of such signature or after the date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: Article 7

text: After the entry into force of this Protocol, any State which has acceded, or has been invited to accede, to the Convention, may be invited by the Committee of Ministers to accede also to this Protocol.

text: Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after the date of its deposit.

text: Article 8

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Protocol shall apply.

text: Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Protocol to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for those international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings.

text: Any declaration made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of the notification.

text: Article 9

text: Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of such notification.

text: Denunciation of the Convention shall automatically entail denunciation of this Protocol.

text: Article 10

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State which has acceded to the Convention of: a any signature without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; b any signature with reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; c any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; d any date of entry into force of this Protocol in accordance with

text: Article 7

text: thereof; e any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 4

text: ; f any declaration or notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 5

text: ; g any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 9

text: and any withdrawal of any such declaration; h any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 10

text: and the date on which denunciation takes effect.

text: In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Protocol. Done at Strasbourg, this 15th day of March 1978, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding States.

text: Article 11

type: internationell-overenskommelse


identifier: ETS No. 098

reference: ETS No. 098

title: Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition

text: European Treaty Series - No. 98

text: Strasbourg, 17.III.1978

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to this Protocol, Desirous of facilitating the application of the European Convention on Extradition opened for signature in Paris on 13 December 1957 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention") in the field of fiscal offences; Considering it also desirable to supplement the Convention in certain other respects, Have agreed as follows:

text: Chapter I

text: Paragraph 2 of

text: Article 2

text: of the Convention shall be supplemented by the following provision: "This right shall also apply to offences which are subject only to pecuniary sanctions."

text: Article 1

text: Chapter II

text: Article 5

text: of the Convention shall be replaced by the following provisions:

text: "Fiscal offences

text: For offences in connection with taxes, duties, customs and exchange extradition shall take place between the Contracting Parties in accordance with the provisions of the Convention if the offence, under the law of the requested Party, corresponds to an offence of the same nature. 2 Extradition may not be refused on the ground that the law of the requested Party does not impose the same kind of tax or duty or does not contain a tax, duty, custom or exchange regulation of the same kind as the law of the requesting Party."

text: Article 2

text: Chapter III

text: The Convention shall be supplemented by the following provisions:

text: ETS 98 – Extradition (Second Additional Protocol),174.III.1978 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: "Judgments in absentia

text: When a Contracting Party requests from another Contracting Party the extradition of a person for the purpose of carrying out a sentence or detention order imposed by a decision rendered against him in absentia, the requested Party may refuse to extradite for this purpose if, in its opinion, the proceedings leading to the judgment did not satisfy the minimum rights of defence recognised as due to everyone charged with criminal offence. However, extradition shall be granted if the requesting Party gives an assurance considered sufficient to guarantee to the person claimed the right to a retrial which safeguards the rights of defence. This decision will authorise the requesting Party either to enforce the judgment in question if the convicted person does not make an opposition or, if he does, to take proceedings against the person extradited.

text: When the requested Party informs the person whose extradition has been requested of the judgment rendered against him in absentia, the requesting Party shall not regard this communication as a formal notification for the purposes of the criminal procedure in that State".

text: Article 3

text: Chapter IV

text: "Amnesty

text: Extradition shall not be granted for an offence in respect of which an amnesty has been declared in the requested State and which that State had competence to prosecute under its own criminal law."

text: Article 4

text: Chapter V

text: Paragraph 1 of

text: Article 12

text: "The request shall be in writing and shall be addressed by the Ministry of Justice of the requesting Party to the Ministry of Justice of the requested Party; however, use of the diplomatic channel is not excluded. Other means of communication may be arranged by direct agreement between two or more Parties."

text: Article 5

text: Chapter VI

text: This Protocol shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe which have signed the Convention. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: The Protocol shall enter into force 90 days after the date of the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: In respect of a signatory State ratifying, accepting or approving subsequently, the Protocol shall enter into force 90 days after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: A member State of the Council of Europe may not ratify, accept or approve this Protocol without having, simultaneously or previously, ratified the Convention.

text: Article 6

text: Any State which has acceded to the Convention may accede to this Protocol after the Protocol has entered into force.

text: Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect 90 days after the date of its deposit.

text: Article 7

text: Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Protocol to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings.

text: Article 8

text: Reservations made by a State to a provision of the Convention shall be applicable also to this Protocol, unless that State otherwise declares at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

text: not to accept Chapter I;

text: not to accept Chapter II, or to accept it only in respect of certain offences or certain categories of the offences referred to in

text: Article 2

ordinal: c

text: not to accept Chapter III, or to accept only paragraph 1 of

text: Article 3

ordinal: d

text: not to accept Chapter IV;

ordinal: e

text: not to accept Chapter V.

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it reserves the right:

text: Any Contracting Party may withdraw a reservation it has made in accordance with the foregoing paragraph by means of declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe which shall become effective as from the date of its receipt.

text: A Contracting Party which has applied to this Protocol a reservation made in respect of a provision of the Convention or which has made a reservation in respect of a provision of this Protocol may not claim the application of that provision by another Contracting Party; it may,

text: however, if its reservation is partial or conditional claim, the application of that provision in so far as it has itself accepted it. 5 No other reservation may be made to the provisions of this Protocol.

text: Article 9

text: The European Committee on Crime Problems of the Council of Europe shall be kept informed regarding the application of this Protocol and shall do whatever is needful to facilitate a friendly settlement of any difficulty which may arise out of its execution.

text: Article 10

text: Any Contracting Party may, in so far as it is concerned, denounce this Protocol by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2 Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification. 3 Denunciation of the Convention entails automatically denunciation of this Protocol.

text: Article 11

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State which has acceded to the Convention of: a any signature of this Protocol; b any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; c any date of entry into force of this Protocol in accordance with

text: Articles 6

text: and 7; d any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of

text: Article 8

text: ; e any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of paragraph 1 of

text: Article 9

text: ; f any reservation made in pursuance of the provisions of paragraph 2 of

text: Article 9

text: ; g the withdrawal of any reservation carried out in pursuance of the provisions of paragraph 3 of

text: Article 9

text: ; h any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 11

text: In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Protocol. Done at Strasbourg, this 17th day of March 1978, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding States.

text: Article 12


identifier: ETS No. 099

reference: ETS No. 099

title: Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters

text: European Treaty Series - No. 99

text: Strasbourg, 17.III.1978

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to this Protocol, Desirous of facilitating the application of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters opened for signature in Strasbourg on 20th April 1959 (hereinafter referred to as "the Convention") in the field of fiscal offences; Considering it also desirable to supplement the Convention in certain other respects, Have agreed as follows:

text: Chapter I

text: The Contracting Parties shall not exercise the right provided for in

text: Article 2

text: .a of the Convention to refuse assistance solely on the ground that the request concerns an offence which the requested Party considers a fiscal offence.

text: Article 1

text: In the case where a Contracting Party has made the execution of letters rogatory for search or seizure of property dependent on the condition that the offence motivating the letters rogatory is punishable under both the law of the requesting Party and the law of the requested Party, this condition shall be fulfilled, as regards fiscal offences, if the offence is punishable under the law of the requesting Party and corresponds to an offence of the same nature under the law of the requested Party. 2 The request may not be refused on the ground that the law of the requested Party does not impose the same kind of tax or duty or does not contain a tax, duty, customs and exchange regulation of the same kind as the law of the requesting Party.

text: Article 2

text: Chapter II

text: The Convention shall also apply to: a the service of documents concerning the enforcement of a sentence, the recovery of a fine or the payment of costs of proceedings;

text: ETS 99 – Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Additional Protocol), 17.III.1978 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: measures relating to the suspension of pronouncement of a sentence or of its enforcement, to conditional release, to deferment of the commencement of the enforcement of a sentence or to the interruption of such enforcement.

text: Article 3

text: Chapter III

text: Article 22 of the Convention shall be supplemented by the following text, the original Article 22 of the Convention becoming paragraph 1 and the below-mentioned provisions becoming paragraph 2:

text: "2 Furthermore, any Contracting Party which has supplied the above-mentioned information shall communicate to the Party concerned, on the latter's request in individual cases, a copy of the convictions and measures in question as well as any other information relevant thereto in order to enable it to consider whether they necessitate any measures at national level. This communication shall take place between the Ministries of Justice concerned."

text: Article 4

text: Chapter IV

text: This Protocol shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe which have signed the Convention. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: The Protocol shall enter into force 90 days after the date of the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: In respect of a signatory State ratifying, accepting or approving subsequently, the Protocol shall enter into force 90 days after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: A member State of the Council of Europe may not ratify, accept or approve this Protocol without having, simultaneously or previously, ratified the Convention.

text: Article 5

text: Any State which has acceded to the Convention may accede to this Protocol after the Protocol has entered into force.

text: Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect 90 days after the date of its deposit.

text: Article 6

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Protocol shall apply.

text: Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Protocol to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings.

text: Any declaration made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of the notification.

text: Article 7

text: Reservations made by a Contracting Party to a provision of the Convention shall be applicable also to this Protocol, unless that Party otherwise declares at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. The same shall apply to the declarations made by virtue of Article 24 of the Convention.

text: not to accept Chapter I, or to accept it only in respect of certain offences or certain categories of the offences referred to in Article I, or not to comply with letters rogatory for search or seizure of property in respect of fiscal offences;

text: not to accept Chapter II;

text: not to accept Chapter III.

text: Any Contracting Party may withdraw a declaration it has made in accordance with the foregoing paragraph 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.

text: A Contracting Party which has applied to this Protocol a reservation made in respect of a provision of the Convention or which has made a reservation in respect of a provision of this Protocol may not claim the application of that provision by another Contracting Party; it may, however, if its reservation is partial or conditional claim the application of that provision in so far as it has itself accepted it.

text: No other reservation may be made to the provisions of this Protocol.

text: Article 8

text: The provisions of this Protocol are without prejudice to more extensive regulations in bilateral or multilateral agreements concluded between Contracting Parties in application of Article 26, paragraph 3, of the Convention.

text: Article 9

text: Article 10

text: Article 11

text: Articles 5

text: and 6; d any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of

text: Article 7

text: Article 8

text: Article 8

text: Article 8

text: Article 11

text: and the date on which denunciation takes effect.

text: Article 12


doctype: treaty

identifier: ETS No. 100

reference: ETS No. 100

title: European Convention on the Obtaining Abroad of Information and Evidence in Administrative Matters

text: European Treaty Series - No. 100

text: Strasbourg, 15.III.1978

text: Preamble

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory hereto,

text: Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members, based in particular on respect for the rule of law, as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms;

text: Believing that the creation of appropriate means of mutual assistance in administrative matters will contribute to the attainment of this aim;

text: Having regard to the importance of facilitating and simplifying the means of obtaining information and evidence in administrative matters,

text: Have agreed as follows:

text: Chapter I – General provisions

text: The Contracting States undertake to afford each other mutual assistance in administrative matters whenever a request for assistance is received in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.

text: This Convention shall not apply to fiscal or criminal matters. However, each State may at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or at any later time, give notice by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, that, for purposes of requests for assistance addressed to it, this Convention shall apply to fiscal matters or to any proceedings in respect of offences the punishment of which does not fall within the jurisdiction of its judicial authorities at the time of the request for assistance. This State may specify in the declaration that it is conditional on reciprocity.

text: Each State may at any time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or at any time within five years after the entry into force of this Convention in respect of itself give notice, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, of the administrative matters with regard to which it will not apply this Convention. Any other Contracting State may claim reciprocity.

text: ETS 100 – Information and Evidence in Administrative Matters, 15.III.1978 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: The declarations in pursuance of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall take effect, as the case may be, from the moment of the entry into force of the Convention with regard to the State which has made them or three months after receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. They may be withdrawn, partially or wholly, by means of a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such withdrawal shall take effect three months after the date of receipt of this declaration.

text: Article 1 – Scope of the Convention

text: Each Contracting State shall designate a central authority to receive, and to take action on, requests for assistance in administrative matters emanating from authorities of other Contracting States. Federal States shall be free to designate more than one central authority.

text: Each Contracting State may designate other authorities having the same functions as the central authority and shall determine their territorial competence. However, the requesting authority shall in all cases have the right to address itself directly to the central authority.

text: Each Contracting State may, in addition, designate a forwarding authority to centralise requests for assistance from its authorities and to transmit them to the competent central authority abroad. Federal States shall be free to designate more than one forwarding authority.

text: The aforementioned authorities must be either a ministerial department or another official body.

text: Each Contracting State shall by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe communicate the name and address of the authorities designated in accordance with the provisions of this Article.

text: Article 2 – Central authority

text: The request for assistance and appendices thereto forwarded in pursuance of the present Convention shall be exempt from legalisation, apostille or any equivalent formality.

text: Article 3 – Exemption from legalisation

text: Subject to the provisions of this Convention to the contrary, the central authority of the requested State which has received a request for assistance shall be obliged to take action on it.

text: Article 4 – Duty to reply

text: The request must contain all the necessary information concerning in particular:

text: the authority from which the request emanates;

text: the substance and the purpose of the request;

text: where applicable, the name, nationality, address and any further details for the identification of the person who is to be asked to furnish the information or to whom the information or document requested pertains.

text: Article 5 – Content of the request

text: If the central authority of the requested State considers that the request does not conform with the provisions of this Convention it shall so inform the requesting authority without delay, specifying its objections.

text: Article 6 – Conformity of the request

text: that the matter to which the request relates is not an administrative matter in the sense of

text: Article 1

text: of this Convention;

text: that compliance with the request might interfere with the sovereignty, security, public policy or other essential interests of that State;

text: that compliance might prejudice the fundamental rights or essential interests of the person to whom the requested information pertains, or that the request concerns information held in confidence, which may not be disclosed;

text: that its domestic law or customs prevent the assistance requested.

text: The central authority of the requested State to which a request for assistance is addressed may refuse to comply with it if it considers:

text: In cases of refusal the central authority of the requested State shall so inform the requesting authority without delay, giving the reasons for its refusal.

text: Article 7 – Refusal to comply

text: Subject to the provisions of

text: Articles 18

text: and 21, the reply to a request for assistance shall not give rise to any refund of fees or costs in connection with the services rendered by the requested State.

text: Article 8 – Costs

text: The request for assistance and the appendices thereto shall be drawn up in the official language, or in one of the official languages, of the requested State or be accompanied by a translation into that language.

text: However, each central authority shall accept requests for assistance when they are drawn up in one of the official languages of the Council of Europe or are accompanied by a translation into one of these languages, unless it states an objection in the specific case.

text: The reply shall be drawn up in the official language or in one of the official languages of the requested State, the Council of Europe or the requesting State.

text: Article 9 – Language

text: The reply to the request for assistance shall be furnished as rapidly as possible. However, if the reply requires a long time to prepare, the central authority of the requested State shall so inform the requesting authority, if possible by indicating at the same time the approximate date on which the reply can be expected.

text: The reply to the request for assistance shall be sent to the requesting authority.

text: Article 10 – Time-limits and transmission of the reply

text: Each Contracting State may use diplomatic or consular channels to forward requests for assistance to the central authority of another Contracting State.

text: Article 11 – Forwarding through diplomatic or consular channels

text: Nothing in this Convention shall affect existing or future international agreements and practices or other arrangements between Contracting States which relate to matters dealt with in the present Convention.

text: Article 12 – Other international agreements or arrangements

text: Chapter II – Requests for information, documents and enquiries

text: The Contracting States agree to furnish each other with information on their law, regulations and customs in administrative matters whenever a request is made by an authority of the requesting State for an administrative purpose.

text: Article 13 – Requests for information on law, regulations and customs

text: The Contracting States agree to furnish each other with factual information in administrative matters which is in their possession, and to issue certified copies, ordinary copies or extracts of administrative documents whenever a request is made by an authority of the requesting State for an administrative purpose.

text: Article 14 – Requests for factual information and for documents

text: When a request is made for administrative purposes by an authority of the requesting State, the Contracting States undertake to comply with it by enquiries or any other procedures according to the form prescribed or permitted by the legislation or customs of the requested State, but without the use of compulsory powers.

text: Article 15 – Requests for enquiries

text: Upon a stipulation by the central authority of the requested State the requesting authority may not use the information or documents furnished pursuant to this Convention for purposes other than those specified in its request for assistance.

text: Any State may, at any time, formulate a reservation to the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article in so far as its legislation on access of the public to administrative records does not permit it to comply.

text: The central authority of the requested State may, in respect of each case, refuse to comply with any request emanating from an authority of a State which has formulated such a reservation.

text: Article 16 – Specific purpose of the requested information

text: The central authority of the requested State which has received a request may either draw up the reply itself, if it is competent, or transmit the request to the authority competent to draw up the reply.

text: The central authority of the requested State may, in appropriate cases or for reasons of administrative organisation, with the agreement of the requesting authority, transmit a request for information on a point of law referred to in

text: Article 13

text: to a private body or qualified lawyer to draw up the reply.

text: Article 17 – Authority empowered to reply

text: The sums due to experts and interpreters assisting in the fulfilment of a request shall be borne by the requesting State.

text: The same shall apply where the reply to a request for information on a point of law referred to in

text: Article 13

text: is drawn up, with the agreement of the requesting authority, by a private body or qualified lawyer.

text: Article 18 – Special costs

text: Chapter III – Letters of request in administrative matters

text: An administrative tribunal or any other authority exercising judicial functions in administrative matters in one of the Contracting States may, in accordance with the provisions of the law of that State, request the central authority of another Contracting State by letters of request to obtain, through the authority, evidence in an adminstrative matter to the extent that a procedure for obtaining such evidence may be employed for the case in question in the requested State.

text: A letter of request shall not be used to obtain evidence which is not intended for use in judicial proceedings, commenced or contemplated.

text: The execution of the letter of request may be refused to the extent that in the requested State, the execution of the letter does not fall within the functions of an administrative tribunal or any other authority exercising judicial functions in administrative matters.

text: Article 19 – Obtaining evidence

text: The authority responsible for the execution of letters of request shall apply its domestic law as to the methods and procedures to be followed and the means of compulsion to be applied.

text: However, deference shall be made to the wish of the requesting authority for the procedure to follow a special form if such form is not incompatible with the law and customs of the requested State, particularly with regard to the notification of the parties concerned of the date and place the enquiry will be carried out.

text: under the law of the requested State; or

text: under the law of the requesting State, and the privilege or duty has been specified in the letter, or, at the instance of the requested authority, has been otherwise confirmed to that authority by the requesting authority.

text: In the execution of a letter of request the person concerned may refuse to give evidence in so far as he has a privilege or duty to refuse to give evidence:

text: Article 20 – Law applicable and special form

text: The sums due to experts and interpreters assisting in the execution of letters of request shall be borne by the requesting State. The same shall apply where the request for the application of a particular form of procedure entails special costs.

text: Article 21 – Special costs

text: The provisions of the present Chapter shall not restrict the freedom of Contracting States to obtain evidence directly through their diplomatic or consular agents provided there is no objection in the State within whose territory evidence is to be taken.

text: Article 22 – Taking of evidence by diplomatic or consular agents

text: Chapter IV – Final provisions

text: This Convention shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the date of the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: In respect of any signatory State ratifying, accepting or approving it subsequently, the Convention shall come into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: Article 23 – Entry into force of the Convention

text: At the request of any Contracting State or after the third year following the entry into force of the Convention, the Contracting States shall proceed to a multilateral consultation in which any member State of the Council of Europe may have itself represented by an observer, in order to examine its application as well as the advisability of its revision or of an enlargement of any of its provisions. This consultation shall take place during a meeting convoked by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: Article 24 – Revision of the Convention

text: After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any non-member State to accede thereto, by decision taken by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, including the unanimous votes of the Contracting States.

text: Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after the date of its deposit.

text: Article 25 – Accession of a State not a member of the Council of Europe

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply.

text: Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Convention to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings.

text: Any declaration made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph may be withdrawn. Such withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of the declaration of withdrawal.

text: Article 26 – Territorial scope of the Convention

text: The provisions of this Convention cannot be subject to any reservation other than that set out in

text: Article 16

text: , paragraph 2. 2 The Contracting State which makes use of the reservation set out in

text: Article 16

text: , paragraph 2, may withdraw it by means of a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and which takes effect from the date of its reception.

text: Article 27 – Reservations to the Convention

text: Any Contracting State may, in so far as it is concerned, denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. 2 Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification. This Convention shall, however, continue to apply to requests received before the date on which the denunciation takes effect.

text: Article 28 – Denunciation of the Convention

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State which has acceded to this Convention of: a any signature; b any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; c any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with

text: Article 23

text: , paragraphs 2 and 3; d any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 1

text: , paragraphs 2, 3 and 4; e any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 2

text: , paragraph 5; f any reservation made in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 16

text: , paragraph 2; g any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 26

text: , paragraphs 2 and 3; h the withdrawal of any reservation effected in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 27

text: , paragraph 2; i any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 28

text: , paragraph 1.

text: In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention. Done in Strasbourg, this 15th day of March 1978, in English and French, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding States.

text: Article 29 – Functions of the depositary of the Convention


identifier: ETS No. 101

reference: ETS No. 101

title: European Convention on the Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals

text: European Treaty Series - No. 101

text: Strasbourg, 28.VI.1978

text: Preamble

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory hereto, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members; Considering the threat posed by the increasing use of firearms in crime; Conscious of the fact that such firearms are often obtained abroad; Desirous of instituting on an international scale effective methods of controlling the movement of firearms across frontiers; Aware of the need to avoid measures that may hamper legitimate international trade or result in impracticable or unduly onerous frontier controls that conflict with modern goals of freedom of movement of goods and of persons, Have agreed as follows:

text: Chapter I – Definitions and general provisions

text: For the purpose of this Convention: a "firearm" has the meaning assigned to it in Appendix I to this Convention; b "person" shall also mean a legal person having a place of business in the territory of a Contracting Party; c "dealer" means a person whose trade or business consists wholly or partly in the manufacture, sale, purchase, exchange or hire of firearms; d "resident" refers to a person who has habitual residence in the territory of a Contracting Party within the meaning of Rule No. 9 of the annex to Resolution (72) 1 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

text: ETS 101 – Acquisition and Possession of Firearms by Individuals, 28.VI.1978 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: Article 1

text: The Contracting Parties undertake to afford each other mutual assistance through the appropriate administrative authorities in the suppression of illegal traffic in firearms and in the tracing and locating of firearms transferred from the territory of one State to the territory of another.

text: Article 2

text: Each Contracting Party shall remain free to prescribe laws and regulations concerning firearms provided that such laws and regulations are not incompatible with the provisions of this Convention.

text: Article 3

text: This Convention does not apply to any transaction concerning firearms to which all the parties are States or acting on behalf of States.

text: Article 4

text: Chapter II – Notification of transactions

text: If a firearm situate within the territory of Contracting Party is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to a person resident in the territory of another Contracting Party, the former Party shall notify the latter in the manner provided in

text: Articles 8

text: and 9.

text: For the purpose of the application of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article, each Contracting Party shall take the steps necessary to ensure that any person who sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of a firearm situate within its territory shall furnish particulars of the transaction to the competent authorities of that Party.

text: Article 5

text: If a firearm situate within the territory of a Contracting Party is transferred permanently and without change in the possession thereof to the territory of another Contracting Party, the former Party shall notify the latter in the manner provided in

text: Articles 8

text: and 9.

text: Article 6

text: The notifications referred to in

text: Article 5

text: and 6 shall also be made to the Contracting Parties through whose territory a firearm passes in transit when the State from whose territory it is sent deems such information to be useful.

text: Article 7

text: The notifications referred to in

text: Articles 5

text: , 6 and 7 shall be made as expeditiously as possible. The Contracting Parties shall use their best endeavours to ensure that notification is made prior to the transaction or the transfer to which it relates, failing which it shall be made as soon as possible thereafter.

text: the identity, the number of passport or identity card and the address of the person to whom the firearm in question is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of or of the person who is transferring a firearm permanently to the territory for another Contracting Party without change of possession;

text: the type, make and characteristics of the firearm in question as well as its number or any other distinguishing mark.

text: The notifications referred to in

text: Articles 5

text: , 6 and 7 shall, in particular, indicate:

text: Article 8

text: The notifications referred to in

text: Article 5

text: , 6 and 7 shall be made between such national authorities as the Contracting Parties shall designate.

text: When appropriate the notifications may be sent through the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).

text: Any State shall, at the time of depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, indicate the authority to which notifications should be addressed. It shall forthwith notify the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of any subsequent modification of the identity of such authorities.

text: Article 9

text: Chapter III – Double authorisation

text: Each Contracting Party shall take the measures appropriate to ensure that no firearm situate within its territory is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to a person not resident there who has not first obtained authorisation from the competent authorities of the said Contracting Party.

text: This authorisation shall not be granted unless the competent authorities shall first have been satisfied that an authorisation in respect of the transaction in question has been granted to the said person by the competent authorities of the Contracting Party in which he is resident.

text: If this person takes possession of the firearm in the territory of the Contracting Party in which the transaction takes place, the authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 shall only be granted on the terms and conditions on which an authorisation would be granted in a transaction involving residents of the Contracting Party concerned. If the firearm is immediately exported, the authorities referred to in paragraph 1 are only obliged to ascertain that the authorities of the Contracting Party in which the said person is a resident have authorised this particular transaction or such transactions in general.

text: The authorisations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may be replaced by an international licence.

text: Article 10

text: Any State shall, at the time of depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify which of its authorities is competent to issue the authorisations referred to in paragraph 2 of

text: Article 10

text: Article 11

text: Chapter IV – Final provisions

text: This Convention shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the date of the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: In respect of any signatory State ratifying, accepting or approving it subsequently, the Convention shall come into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: Article 12

text: After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any non-member State to accede thereto. The decision containing this invitation shall be in accordance with Article 20.d of the Statute of the Council of Europe and receive the unanimous agreement of the member States of the Council of Europe which are Contracting Parties to the Convention.

text: Such acession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect three months after the date of its deposit.

text: Article 13

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply.

text: Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Convention to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings.

text: Any declaration made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General. Such a withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification.

text: Article 14

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it avails itself of one or more of the reservations provided for in Appendix II to this Convention.

text: Any Contracting Party may wholly or partly withdraw a reservation it has made in accordance with the foregoing paragraph 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.

text: A Contracting Party which has made a reservation in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article may not claim the application by any other Party of the provision on which the reservation has been made; it may, however, if its reservation is partial or conditional, claim the application of that provision insofar as it has itself accepted it.

text: Article 15

text: The Contracting Parties may not conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements with one another on the matters dealt with in this Convention, except in order to supplement its provisions or facilitate application of the principles embodied in it.

text: However, should two or more Contracting Parties establish or have already established their relations in this matter on the basis of uniform legislation or a special system of their own, providing for more extensive obligations, they shall be entitled to regulate those relations accordingly notwithstanding the provisions of this Convention.

text: Contracting Parties ceasing in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article to apply the terms of this Convention to their mutual relations in this matter shall notify the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to that effect.

text: Article 16

text: The European Committee on Crime Problems of the Council of Europe shall be kept informed regarding the application of this Convention and shall do whatever is needful to facilitate a friendly settlement of any difficulty which may arise out of its execution.

text: The European Committee on Crime Problems may, in the light of future technical, social and economic developments, formulate and submit to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe proposals designed to amend or supplement the provisions of this Convention and in particular to alter the contents of Appendix I.

text: Article 17

text: In the event of war or other exceptional circumstances any Contracting Party may make rules temporarily derogating from the provisions of this Convention and having immediate effect. It shall forthwith notify the Secretary General of the Council of Europe of any such derogation and of its cesser.

text: Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification.

text: Article 18

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any State that has acceded to this Convention of:

text: any signature;

text: any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;

text: any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with

text: Articles 12

text: and 13;

text: any declaration or notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 9

text: , paragraph 3;

text: Article 11

ordinal: g

text: Article 14

ordinal: f

text: Article 15

text: , paragraph 1;

ordinal: h

text: the withdrawal of any reservation made in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 15

text: , paragraph 2;

ordinal: i

text: any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 16

text: , paragraph 3, and concerning uniform legislation or a special system;

ordinal: j

text: Article 18

text: , paragraph 1, and the date on which the derogation is made or ceases, as the case may be;

ordinal: k

text: Article 18

text: , paragraph 2, and the date on which denunciation takes effect.

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

text: Done at Strasbourg, this 28th day of June 1978, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding States.

text: Article 19


identifier: ETS No. 102

reference: ETS No. 102

title: European Convention for the Protection of Animals for Slaughter

text: European Treaty Series - No. 102

text: Strasbourg, 10.V.1979

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory hereto, Considering that it is desirable to ensure the protection of animals which are to be slaughtered; Considering that slaughter methods which as far as possible spare animals suffering and pain should be uniformly applied in their countries; Considering that fear, distress, suffering and pain inflicted on an animal during slaughter may affect the quality of the meat, Have agreed as follows:

text: Chapter 1 – General principles

text: This Convention shall apply to the movement, lairaging, restraint, stunning and slaughter of domestic solipeds, ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry. 2 For the purpose of this Convention: Slaughterhouse: shall mean any premises under health control, intended for the professional slaughter of animals to produce meat for consumption or for any other reason; Moving animals: shall mean unloading or driving them from unloading platforms or from stalls or pens at slaughterhouses to the premises or place where they are to be slaughtered; Lairaging: shall mean keeping animals in stalls, pens or covered areas at slaughterhouses in order to give them the necessary attention (water, fodder, rest) before they are slaughtered; Restraint: shall mean the application to an animal of any procedure in conformity with the provisions of this Convention designed to restrict its movements in order to facilitate stunning or slaughter; _____ (*) The Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community entered into force on 1 December 2009. As a consequence, as from that date, any reference to the European Economic Community shall be read as the European Union.

text: ETS 102 – Protection of Animals for Slaughter, 10.V.1979 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: Stunning: shall mean any process in conformity with the provisions of this Convention, which when applied to an animal induces a state of insensibility which lasts until it is dead, thus sparing it in any event any avoidable suffering;

text: Slaughter: shall mean causing the death of an animal after restraint, stunning and bleeding with the exceptions provided for in Chapter III of this Convention.

text: Article 1

text: Each Contracting Party shall take the necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the provisions of this Convention.

text: Nothing in this Convention shall, however, prevent Contracting Parties from adopting more stringent rules to protect animals.

text: Each Contracting Party shall ensure that the design, construction and facilities of slaughterhouses and their operation shall be such as to ensure that the appropriate conditions provided for in this Convention are complied with in order to spare animals any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering.

text: For slaughtering outside or inside slaughterhouses each Contracting Party shall ensure that the animals are spared any avoidable pain or suffering.

text: Article 2

text: Chapter II – Delivery of animals to slaughterhouses and their lairaging until they are slaughtered

text: Animals shall be unloaded as soon as possible. While waiting in the means of transport they shall be protected from extremes of weather and provided with adequate ventilation.

text: The personnel responsible for moving and lairaging such animals shall have the knowledge and skills required and shall comply with the requirements set out in this Convention.

text: Article 3

text: Section I – The moving of animals within the precincts of slaughterhouses

text: The animals shall be unloaded and moved with care.

text: Suitable equipment such as bridges, ramps, or gangways, shall be used for unloading animals. The equipment shall be constructed with flooring which will permit a proper foothold and, if necessary, shall be provided with lateral protection. Bridges, ramps and gangways shall have the minimum possible incline.

text: The animals shall not be frightened or excited. In any event care must be taken to ensure that animals are not overturned on bridges, ramps or gangways and that they cannot fall from them. In particular animals shall not be lifted by the head, feet or tail in a manner which will cause them pain or suffering.

text: When necessary, animals shall be led individually. Corridors along which they are moved must be so designed that they cannot injure themselves.

text: Article 4

text: When animals are moved their gregarious tendencies shall be exploited. Instruments shall be used solely to guide them and must only be used for short periods. In particular, they shall not be struck on, nor shall pressure be applied to, any particularly sensitive part of the body. Electric shocks may be used for bovine animals and pigs only, provided that the shocks last no more than two seconds, are adequately spaced out and the animals have room to move; such shocks shall be applied only to appropriate muscles.

text: Animals' tails shall not be crushed, twisted or broken and their eyes shall not be grasped. Blows and kicks shall not be inflicted.

text: Cages, baskets or crates in which animals are transported shall be handled with care. They shall not be thrown to the ground or knocked over.

text: Animals delivered in cages, baskets or crates with flexible or perforated bottoms shall be unloaded with particular care in order to avoid injuring the animals' extremities. Where appropriate they shall be unloaded individually.

text: Article 5

text: Animals shall not be taken to the place of slaughter unless they can be slaughtered immediately.

text: Animals which are not slaughtered immediately on arrival shall be lairaged.

text: Article 6

text: Section II – Lairaging

text: Animals shall be protected from unfavourable climatic conditions. Slaughterhouses shall be equipped with a sufficient number of stalls and pens for lairaging of the animals with protection from the effects of adverse weather.

text: The floor of areas where animals are unloaded, moved, kept waiting or temporarily based, shall not be slippery. It shall be such that it can be cleaned, disinfected and thoroughly drained of liquids.

text: Slaughterhouses shall have covered areas with feeding and drinking troughs and arrangements for tying up animals.

text: Animals which must spend the night at the slaughterhouse shall be so housed and, when appropriate, tied up in such a way that they may lie down.

text: Animals naturally hostile to each other on account of their species, sex, age or origin shall be separated from each other.

text: Animals which have been transported in cages, baskets or crates shall be slaughtered as soon as possible; otherwise they shall be watered and fed in accordance with the provisions of

text: Article 8

text: If animals have been subjected to high temperatures in humid weather, they shall be cooled.

text: Where climatic conditions make it necessary (e.g. high humidity, low temperatures), animals shall be placed in well-ventilated accommodation. During foddering the stalls shall be adequately lit.

text: Article 7

text: Section III – Care

text: Unless they are conducted as soon as possible to the place of slaughter, animals shall be offered water on arrival in the slaughterhouse. 2 With the exception of animals to be slaughtered within twelve hours of their arrival, they shall subsequently be given moderate quantities of food and water at appropriate intervals. 3 Where animals are not tied up, feeding receptacles shall be provided which will permit the animals to feed undisturbed.

text: Article 8

text: The condition and state of health of the animals shall be inspected at least every morning and evening. 2 Sick, weak or injured animals shall be slaughtered immediately. If this is not possible, they shall be separated in order to be slaughtered as soon as possible.

text: Article 9

text: Section IV – Other provisions

text: In respect of reindeer, each Contracting Party may authorise derogations from the provisions of Chapter II of this Convention.

text: Article 10

text: Each Contracting Party may prescribe that the provisions of Chapter II of this Convention shall be applied mutatis mutandis to moving and lairaging of animals outside slaughterhouses.

text: Article 11

text: Chapter III – Slaughtering

text: Animals shall be restrained where necessary immediately before slaughtering and, with the exceptions set out in

text: Article 17

text: , shall be stunned by an appropriate method.

text: Article 12

text: In the case of the ritual slaughter of animals of the bovine species, they shall be restrained before slaughter by mechanical means designed to spare them all avoidable pain, suffering, agitation, injury or contusions.

text: Article 13

text: No means of restraint causing avoidable suffering shall be used; animals' hind legs shall not be tied nor shall they be suspended before stunning or, in the case of ritual slaughter, before the end of bleeding. Poultry and rabbits may, however, be suspended for slaughtering provided that stunning takes place directly after suspension.

text: Article 14

text: Other slaughter operations than those mentioned in

text: Article 1

text: , paragraph 2 may commence only after the animal's death.

text: Article 15

text: The stunning methods authorised by each Contracting Party shall bring animals into a state of insensibility which lasts until they are slaughtered, thus sparing them in any event all avoidable suffering. 2 Use of the puntilla, hammer or pole-axe shall be prohibited. 3 In the case of solipeds, ruminants and pigs, only the following stunning methods shall be permitted: – mechanical means employing instruments which administer a blow or penetrate at the level of the brain; – electro-narcosis; – gas anaesthesia. 4 Each Contracting Party may authorise derogations from the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article in the case of slaughter of an animal at the place where it was reared by the producer for his personal consumption.

text: Article 16

text: Each Contracting Party may authorise derogations from the provisions concerning prior stunning in the following cases: – slaughtering in accordance with religious rituals; – emergency slaughtering when stunning is not possible; – slaughtering of poultry and rabbits by authorised methods causing instantaneous death; – killing of animals for the purposes of health control where special reasons make this necessary. 2 Each Contracting Party availing itself of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shall, however, ensure that at the time of such slaughter or killing the animals are spared any avoidable pain or suffering.

text: Article 17

text: Each Contracting Party shall make certain of the skill of persons who are professionally engaged in the restraint, stunning and slaughter of animals. 2 Each Contracting Party shall ensure that the instruments, apparatus or installations necessary for the restraint and stunning of animals comply with the requirements of the Convention.

text: Article 18

text: Each Contracting Party permitting slaughter in accordance with religious ritual shall ensure, when it does not itself issue the necessary authorisations, that animal sacrificers are duly authorised by the religious bodies concerned.

text: Article 19

text: Chapter IV – Final provisions

text: This Convention shall be open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe and by the European Economic Community. It shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: This Convention shall enter into force six months after the date of the deposit of the fourth instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval by a member State of the Council of Europe.

text: In respect of a signatory party ratifying, accepting or approving after the date referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, the Convention shall come into force six months after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.

text: Article 20

text: After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may, upon such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, invite any non-member State to accede thereto.

text: Such accession shall be effected by depositing with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe an instrument of accession which shall take effect six months after the date of its deposit.

text: Article 21

text: Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply.

text: Any State may, when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession or at any later date, by declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend this Convention to any other territory or territories specified in the declaration and for whose international relations it is responsible or on whose behalf it is authorised to give undertakings.

text: Any declaration made in pursuance of the preceding paragraph may, in respect of any territory mentioned in such declaration, be withdrawn by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General. Such withdrawal shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification.

text: Article 22

text: Any Contracting Party may, in so far as it is concerned, denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: Such denunciation shall take effect six months after the date of receipt by the Secretary General of such notification.

text: Article 23

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any Contracting Party not a member of the Council of: a any signature; b any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; c any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordance with

text: Articles 20

text: and 21 thereof; d any declaration received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 22

text: , paragraph 2; e any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 22

text: , paragraph 3; f any notification received in pursuance of the provisions of

text: Article 23

text: and the date on which denunciation takes effect.

text: In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention. Done at Strasbourg, this 10th day of May 1979, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding Parties.

text: Article 24


identifier: ETS No. 103

reference: ETS No. 103

title: Additional Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Animals during International Transport

text: European Treaty Series - No. 103

text: during International Transport

text: Strasbourg, 10.V.1979

text: The member States of the Council of Europe, signatory to this Additional Protocol,

text: Having regard to the European Convention for the protection of animals during international transport, hereinafter called the "Convention", which was opened to signature in Paris on 13 December 1968 by the member States of the Council of Europe and includes common provisions designed to safeguard animals in transport from suffering;

text: Considering that in view of the competences it possesses in the matters covered by the said Convention, the European Economic Community should be able to be a Contracting Party to this instrument,

text: Have agreed as follows:

text: Article 48 of the Convention shall be supplemented by the following paragraph:

text: "4 The European Economic Community may become a Contracting Party to this Convention by signing it. The Convention shall enter into force in respect of the Community six months after the date of its signature."

text: Article 1

text: In Article 52 of the Convention, the words "any State which has acceded to this Convention" shall be replaced by the words "any Contracting Party which is not a member of the Council".

text: Article 2

text: Article 47, paragraph 2, of the Convention shall be supplemented by the following subparagraph:

text: "In the event of a dispute between two Contracting Parties one of which is a member State of the European Economic Community, the latter itself being a Contracting Party, the other Contracting Party shall address the request for arbitration both to the member State and to the Community, which jointly shall notify it, within three months of receipt of the request, whether the member State or the Community, or the member State and the Community jointly, shall be party to the dispute. In the absence of such notification within the said time limit, the member State and the Community shall be considered as being one and the same party to the dispute for the purposes of the application of the provisions governing the

text: * Since its entry into force on 7 November 1989, this Protocol forms an integrant part of the Convention (ETS No. 65).

text: ETS 103 – International Transport of Animals (Additional Protocol), 10.V.1979 __________________________________________________________________________________

text: constitution and procedure of the arbitration tribunal. The same shall apply when the member State and the Community jointly present themselves as party to the dispute."

text: Article 3

text: This Additional Protocol is open to signature by the member States of the Council of Europe which have signed the Convention, which may become Contracting Parties to this Additional Protocol by: a signature without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval, or b signature with reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval, followed by ratification, acceptance or approval. 2 States which have acceded to the Convention may also accede to this Additional Protocol. 3 Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

text: Article 4

text: This Additional Protocol shall enter into force as soon as all the Contracting Parties to the Convention have become Parties to this Additional Protocol in accordance with

text: Article 4

text: Article 5

text: From the date of its entry into force, this Additional Protocol shall form an integral part of the Convention. From that date, no member State may become a Contracting Party to the Convention without at the same time becoming a Contracting Party to this Additional Protocol.

text: Article 6

text: The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council of Europe, the other Parties to the Convention and the Commission of the European Economic Community of: a any signature without reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; b any signature with reservation in respect of ratification, acceptance or approval; c any deposit of an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; d any date of entry into force of this Additional Protocol in accordance with

text: Article 5

text: thereof.

text: In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Protocol. Done at Strasbourg, this 10th day of May 1979, in English and in French, both texts being equally authoritative, in a single copy which shall remain deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each of the signatory and acceding States.

text: Article 7