Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam
U K A Z
O RAZGLASITVI ZAKONA O RATIFIKACIJI PROTOKOLA PROTI TIHOTAPLJENJU MIGRANTOV PO KOPNEM, MORJU IN ZRAKU, KI DOPOLNJUJE KONVENCIJO ZDRUŽENIH NARODOV PROTI MEDNARODNEMU ORGANIZIRANEMU KRIMINALU (MPTMOK)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Protokola proti tihotapljenju migrantov po kopnem, morju in zraku, ki dopolnjuje Konvencijo Združenih narodov proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu (MPTMOK), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 21. aprila 2004.
Št. 001-22-83/04
Ljubljana, dne 29. aprila 2004
Predsednik
Republike Slovenije
dr. Janez Drnovšek l. r.
Z A K O N
O RATIFIKACIJI PROTOKOLA PROTI TIHOTAPLJENJU MIGRANTOV PO KOPNEM, MORJU IN ZRAKU, KI DOPOLNJUJE KONVENCIJO ZDRUŽENIH NARODOV PROTI MEDNARODNEMU ORGANIZIRANEMU KRIMINALU (MPTMOK)
1. člen
Ratificira se Protokol proti tihotapljenju migrantov po kopnem, morju in zraku, ki dopolnjuje Konvencijo Združenih narodov proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu, podpisan v New Yorku dne 15. novembra 2001.
2. člen
Besedilo protokola se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku ter prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi:
P R O T O C O L
AGAINST THE SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS BY LAND, SEA AND AIR, SUPPLEMENTING THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME
Preamble
The States Parties to this Protocol,
Declaring that effective action to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air requires a comprehensive international approach, including cooperation, the exchange of information and other appropriate measures, including socio-economic measures, at the national, regional and international levels,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 54/212 of 22 December 1999, in which the Assembly urged Member States and the United Nations system to strengthen international cooperation in the area of international migration and development in order to address the root causes of migration, especially those related to poverty, and to maximize the benefits of international migration to those concerned, and encouraged, where relevant, interregional, regional and subregional mechanisms to continue to address the question of migration and development,
Convinced of the need to provide migrants with humane treatment and full protection of their rights,
Taking into account the fact that, despite work undertaken in other international forums, there is no universal instrument that addresses all aspects of smuggling of migrants and other related issues,
Concerned at the significant increase in the activities of organized criminal groups in smuggling of migrants and other related criminal activities set forth in this Protocol, which bring great harm to the States concerned,
Also concerned that the smuggling of migrants can endanger the lives or security of the migrants involved,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 53/111 of 9 December 1998, in which the Assembly decided to establish an open-ended intergovernmental ad hoc committee for the purpose of elaborating a comprehensive international convention against transnational organized crime and of discussing the elaboration of, inter alia, an international instrument addressing illegal trafficking in and transporting of migrants, including by sea,
Convinced that supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime with an international instrument against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air will be useful in preventing and combating that crime,
Have agreed as follows:
I. General provisions
Article 1
Relation with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
1. This Protocol supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It shall be interpreted together with the Convention.
2. The provisions of the Convention shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Protocol unless otherwise provided herein.
3. The offences established in accordance with article 6 of this Protocol shall be regarded as offences established in accordance with the Convention.
Article 2
Statement of purpose
The purpose of this Protocol is to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants, as well as to promote cooperation among States Parties to that end, while protecting the rights of smuggled migrants.
Article 3
Use of terms
For the purposes of this Protocol:
(a) “Smuggling of migrants” shall mean the procurement, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, of the illegal entry of a person into a State Party of which the person is not a national or a permanent resident;
(b) “Illegal entry” shall mean crossing borders without complying with the necessary requirements for legal entry into the receiving State;
(c) “Fraudulent travel or identity document” shall mean any travel or identity document:
(i) That has been falsely made or altered in some material way by anyone other than a person or agency lawfully authorized to make or issue the travel or identity document on behalf of a State; or
(ii) That has been improperly issued or obtained through misrepresentation, corruption or duress or in any other unlawful manner; or
(iii) That is being used by a person other than the rightful holder;
(d) “Vessel” shall mean any type of water craft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except a warship, naval auxiliary or other vessel owned or operated by a Government and used, for the time being, only on government non-commercial service.
Article 4
Scope of application
This Protocol shall apply, except as otherwise stated herein, to the prevention, investigation and prosecution of the offences established in accordance with article 6 of this Protocol, where the offences are transnational in nature and involve an organized criminal group, as well as to the protection of the rights of persons who have been the object of such offences.
Article 5
Criminal liability of migrants
Migrants shall not become liable to criminal prosecution under this Protocol for the fact of having been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol.
Article 6
Criminalization
1. Each State Party shall adopt such legislative and other measures as may be necessary to establish as criminal offences, when committed intentionally and in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit:
(a) The smuggling of migrants;
(b) When committed for the purpose of enabling the smuggling of migrants:
(i) Producing a fraudulent travel or identity document;
(ii) Procuring, providing or possessing such a document;
(c) Enabling a person who is not a national or a permanent resident to remain in the State concerned without complying with the necessary requirements for legally remaining in the State by the means mentioned in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph or any other illegal means.
2. Each State Party shall also adopt such legislative and other measures as may be necessary to establish as criminal offences:
(a) Subject to the basic concepts of its legal system, attempting to commit an offence established in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article;
(b) Participating as an accomplice in an offence established in accordance with paragraph 1 (a), (b) (i) or (c) of this article and, subject to the basic concepts of its legal system, participating as an accomplice in an offence established in accordance with paragraph 1 (b) (ii) of this article;
(c) Organizing or directing other persons to commit an offence established in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article.
3. Each State Party shall adopt such legislative and other measures as may be necessary to establish as aggravating circumstances to the offences established in accordance with paragraph 1 (a), (b) (i) and (c) of this article and, subject to the basic concepts of its legal system, to the offences established in accordance with paragraph 2 (b) and (c) of this article, circumstances:
(a) That endanger, or are likely to endanger, the lives or safety of the migrants concerned; or
(b) That entail inhuman or degrading treatment, including for exploitation, of such migrants.
4. Nothing in this Protocol shall prevent a State Party from taking measures against a person whose conduct constitutes an offence under its domestic law.
II. Smuggling of migrants by sea
Article 7
Cooperation
States Parties shall cooperate to the fullest extent possible to prevent and suppress the smuggling of migrants by sea, in accordance with the international law of the sea.
Article 8
Measures against the smuggling of migrants by sea
1. A State Party that has reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel that is flying its flag or claiming its registry, that is without nationality or that, though flying a foreign flag or refusing to show a flag, is in reality of the nationality of the State Party concerned is engaged in the smuggling of migrants by sea may request the assistance of other States Parties in suppressing the use of the vessel for that purpose. The States Parties so requested shall render such assistance to the extent possible within their means.
2. A State Party that has reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel exercising freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and flying the flag or displaying the marks of registry of another State Party is engaged in the smuggling of migrants by sea may so notify the flag State, request confirmation of registry and, if confirmed, request authorization from the flag State to take appropriate measures with regard to that vessel. The flag State may authorize the requesting State, inter alia:
(a) To board the vessel;
(b) To search the vessel; and
(c) If evidence is found that the vessel is engaged in the smuggling of migrants by sea, to take appropriate measures with respect to the vessel and persons and cargo on board, as authorized by the flag State.
3. A State Party that has taken any measure in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article shall promptly inform the flag State concerned of the results of that measure.
4. A State Party shall respond expeditiously to a request from another State Party to determine whether a vessel that is claiming its registry or flying its flag is entitled to do so and to a request for authorization made in accordance with paragraph 2 of this article.
5. A flag State may, consistent with article 7 of this Protocol, subject its authorization to conditions to be agreed by it and the requesting State, including conditions relating to responsibility and the extent of effective measures to be taken. A State Party shall take no additional measures without the express authorization of the flag State, except those necessary to relieve imminent danger to the lives of persons or those which derive from relevant bilateral or multilateral agreements.
6. Each State Party shall designate an authority or, where necessary, authorities to receive and respond to requests for assistance, for confirmation of registry or of the right of a vessel to fly its flag and for authorization to take appropriate measures. Such designation shall be notified through the Secretary-General to all other States Parties within one month of the designation.
7. A State Party that has reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel is engaged in the smuggling of migrants by sea and is without nationality or may be assimilated to a vessel without nationality may board and search the vessel. If evidence confirming the suspicion is found, that State Party shall take appropriate measures in accordance with relevant domestic and international law.
Article 9
Safeguard clauses
1. Where a State Party takes measures against a vessel in accordance with article 8 of this Protocol, it shall:
(a) Ensure the safety and humane treatment of the persons on board;
(b) Take due account of the need not to endanger the security of the vessel or its cargo;
(c) Take due account of the need not to prejudice the commercial or legal interests of the flag State or any other interested State;
(d) Ensure, within available means, that any measure taken with regard to the vessel is environmentally sound.
2. Where the grounds for measures taken pursuant to article 8 of this Protocol prove to be unfounded, the vessel shall be compensated for any loss or damage that may have been sustained, provided that the vessel has not committed any act justifying the measures taken.
3. Any measure taken, adopted or implemented in accordance with this chapter shall take due account of the need not to interfere with or to affect:
(a) The rights and obligations and the exercise of jurisdiction of coastal States in accordance with the international law of the sea; or
(b) The authority of the flag State to exercise jurisdiction and control in administrative, technical and social matters involving the vessel.
4. Any measure taken at sea pursuant to this chapter shall be carried out only by warships or military aircraft, or by other ships or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service and authorized to that effect.
III. Prevention, cooperation and other measures
Article 10
Information
1. Without prejudice to articles 27 and 28 of the Convention, States Parties, in particular those with common borders or located on routes along which migrants are smuggled, shall, for the purpose of achieving the objectives of this Protocol, exchange among themselves, consistent with their respective domestic legal and administrative systems, relevant information on matters such as:
(a) Embarkation and destination points, as well as routes, carriers and means of transportation, known to be or suspected of being used by an organized criminal group engaged in conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol;
(b) The identity and methods of organizations or organized criminal groups known to be or suspected of being engaged in conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol;
(c) The authenticity and proper form of travel documents issued by a State Party and the theft or related misuse of blank travel or identity documents;
(d) Means and methods of concealment and transportation of persons, the unlawful alteration, reproduction or acquisition or other misuse of travel or identity documents used in conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and ways of detecting them;
(e) Legislative experiences and practices and measures to prevent and combat the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol; and
(f) Scientific and technological information useful to law enforcement, so as to enhance each other’s ability to prevent, detect and investigate the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and to prosecute those involved.
2. A State Party that receives information shall comply with any request by the State Party that transmitted the information that places restrictions on its use.
Article 11
Border measures
1. Without prejudice to international commitments in relation to the free movement of people, States Parties shall strengthen, to the extent possible, such border controls as may be necessary to prevent and detect the smuggling of migrants.
2. Each State Party shall adopt legislative or other appropriate measures to prevent, to the extent possible, means of transport operated by commercial carriers from being used in the commission of the offence established in accordance with article 6, paragraph 1 (a), of this Protocol.
3. Where appropriate, and without prejudice to applicable international conventions, such measures shall include establishing the obligation of commercial carriers, including any transportation company or the owner or operator of any means of transport, to ascertain that all passengers are in possession of the travel documents required for entry into the receiving State.
4. Each State Party shall take the necessary measures, in accordance with its domestic law, to provide for sanctions in cases of violation of the obligation set forth in paragraph 3 of this article.
5. Each State Party shall consider taking measures that permit, in accordance with its domestic law, the denial of entry or revocation of visas of persons implicated in the commission of offences established in accordance with this Protocol.
6. Without prejudice to article 27 of the Convention, States Parties shall consider strengthening cooperation among border control agencies by, inter alia, establishing and maintaining direct channels of communication.
Article 12
Security and control of documents
Each State Party shall take such measures as may be necessary, within available means:
(a) To ensure that travel or identity documents issued by it are of such quality that they cannot easily be misused and cannot readily be falsified or unlawfully altered, replicated or issued; and
(b) To ensure the integrity and security of travel or identity documents issued by or on behalf of the State Party and to prevent their unlawful creation, issuance and use.
Article 13
Legitimacy and validity of documents
At the request of another State Party, a State Party shall, in accordance with its domestic law, verify within a reasonable time the legitimacy and validity of travel or identity documents issued or purported to have been issued in its name and suspected of being used for purposes of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol.
Article 14
Training and technical cooperation
1. States Parties shall provide or strengthen specialized training for immigration and other relevant officials in preventing the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and in the humane treatment of migrants who have been the object of such conduct, while respecting their rights as set forth in this Protocol.
2. States Parties shall cooperate with each other and with competent international organizations, non-governmental organizations, other relevant organizations and other elements of civil society as appropriate to ensure that there is adequate personnel training in their territories to prevent, combat and eradicate the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and to protect the rights of migrants who have been the object of such conduct. Such training shall include:
(a) Improving the security and quality of travel documents;
(b) Recognizing and detecting fraudulent travel or identity documents;
(c) Gathering criminal intelligence, relating in particular to the identification of organized criminal groups known to be or suspected of being engaged in conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol, the methods used to transport smuggled migrants, the misuse of travel or identity documents for purposes of conduct set forth in article 6 and the means of concealment used in the smuggling of migrants;
(d) Improving procedures for detecting smuggled persons at conventional and non-conventional points of entry and exit; and
(e) The humane treatment of migrants and the protection of their rights as set forth in this Protocol.
3. States Parties with relevant expertise shall consider providing technical assistance to States that are frequently countries of origin or transit for persons who have been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol. States Parties shall make every effort to provide the necessary resources, such as vehicles, computer systems and document readers, to combat the conduct set forth in article 6.
Article 15
Other prevention measures
1. Each State Party shall take measures to ensure that it provides or strengthens information programmes to increase public awareness of the fact that the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol is a criminal activity frequently perpetrated by organized criminal groups for profit and that it poses serious risks to the migrants concerned.
2. In accordance with article 31 of the Convention, States Parties shall cooperate in the field of public information for the purpose of preventing potential migrants from falling victim to organized criminal groups.
3. Each State Party shall promote or strengthen, as appropriate, development programmes and cooperation at the national, regional and international levels, taking into account the socio-economic realities of migration and paying special attention to economically and socially depressed areas, in order to combat the root socio-economic causes of the smuggling of migrants, such as poverty and underdevelopment.
Article 16
Protection and assistance measures
1. In implementing this Protocol, each State Party shall take, consistent with its obligations under international law, all appropriate measures, including legislation if necessary, to preserve and protect the rights of persons who have been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol as accorded under applicable international law, in particular the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
2. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to afford migrants appropriate protection against violence that may be inflicted upon them, whether by individuals or groups, by reason of being the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol.
3. Each State Party shall afford appropriate assistance to migrants whose lives or safety are endangered by reason of being the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol.
4. In applying the provisions of this article, States Parties shall take into account the special needs of women and children.
5. In the case of the detention of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol, each State Party shall comply with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, where applicable, including that of informing the person concerned without delay about the provisions concerning notification to and communication with consular officers.
Article 17
Agreements and arrangements
States Parties shall consider the conclusion of bilateral or regional agreements or operational arrangements or understandings aimed at:
(a) Establishing the most appropriate and effective measures to prevent and combat the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol; or
(b) Enhancing the provisions of this Protocol among themselves.
Article 18
Return of smuggled migrants
1. Each State Party agrees to facilitate and accept, without undue or unreasonable delay, the return of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and who is its national or who has the right of permanent residence in its territory at the time of return.
2. Each State Party shall consider the possibility of facilitating and accepting the return of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and who had the right of permanent residence in its territory at the time of entry into the receiving State in accordance with its domestic law.
3. At the request of the receiving State Party, a requested State Party shall, without undue or unreasonable delay, verify whether a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol is its national or has the right of permanent residence in its territory.
4. In order to facilitate the return of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol and is without proper documentation, the State Party of which that person is a national or in which he or she has the right of permanent residence shall agree to issue, at the request of the receiving State Party, such travel documents or other authorization as may be necessary to enable the person to travel to and re-enter its territory.
5. Each State Party involved with the return of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol shall take all appropriate measures to carry out the return in an orderly manner and with due regard for the safety and dignity of the person.
6. States Parties may cooperate with relevant international organizations in the implementation of this article.
7. This article shall be without prejudice to any right afforded to persons who have been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol by any domestic law of the receiving State Party.
8. This article shall not affect the obligations entered into under any other applicable treaty, bilateral or multilateral, or any other applicable operational agreement or arrangement that governs, in whole or in part, the return of persons who have been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol.
IV. Final provisions
Article 19
Saving clause
1. Nothing in this Protocol shall affect the other rights, obligations and responsibilities of States and individuals under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law and, in particular, where applicable, the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and the principle of non-refoulement as contained therein.
2. The measures set forth in this Protocol shall be interpreted and applied in a way that is not discriminatory to persons on the ground that they are the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol. The interpretation and application of those measures shall be consistent with internationally recognized principles of non-discrimination.
Article 20
Settlement of disputes
1. States Parties shall endeavour to settle disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Protocol through negotiation.
2. Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Protocol that cannot be settled through negotiation within a reasonable time shall, at the request of one of those States Parties, be submitted to arbitration. If, six months after the date of the request for arbitration, those States Parties are unable to agree on the organization of the arbitration, any one of those States Parties may refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice by request in accordance with the Statute of the Court.
3. Each State Party may, at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance or approval of or accession to this Protocol, declare that it does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of this article. The other States Parties shall not be bound by paragraph 2 of this article with respect to any State Party that has made such a reservation.
4. Any State Party that has made a reservation in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article may at any time withdraw that reservation by notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 21
Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession
1. This Protocol shall be open to all States for signature from 12 to 15 December 2000 in Palermo, Italy, and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 12 December 2002.
2. This Protocol shall also be open for signature by regional economic integration organizations provided that at least one member State of such organization has signed this Protocol in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article.
3. This Protocol is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. A regional economic integration organization may deposit its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval if at least one of its member States has done likewise. In that instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval, such organization shall declare the extent of its competence with respect to the matters governed by this Protocol. Such organization shall also inform the depositary of any relevant modification in the extent of its competence.
4. This Protocol is open for accession by any State or any regional economic integration organization of which at least one member State is a Party to this Protocol. Instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the time of its accession, a regional economic integration organization shall declare the extent of its competence with respect to matters governed by this Protocol. Such organization shall also inform the depositary of any relevant modification in the extent of its competence.
Article 22
Entry into force
1. This Protocol shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, except that it shall not enter into force before the entry into force of the Convention. For the purpose of this paragraph, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by member States of such organization.
2. For each State or regional economic integration organization ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Protocol after the deposit of the fortieth instrument of such action, this Protocol shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of deposit by such State or organization of the relevant instrument or on the date this Protocol enters into force pursuant to paragraph 1 of this article, whichever is the later.
Article 23
Amendment
1. After the expiry of five years from the entry into force of this Protocol, a State Party to the Protocol may propose an amendment and file it with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall thereupon communicate the proposed amendment to the States Parties and to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention for the purpose of considering and deciding on the proposal. The States Parties to this Protocol meeting at the Conference of the Parties shall make every effort to achieve consensus on each amendment. If all efforts at consensus have been exhausted and no agreement has been reached, the amendment shall, as a last resort, require for its adoption a two-thirds majority vote of the States Parties to this Protocol present and voting at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
2. Regional economic integration organizations, in matters within their competence, shall exercise their right to vote under this article with a number of votes equal to the number of their member States that are Parties to this Protocol. Such organizations shall not exercise their right to vote if their member States exercise theirs and vice versa.
3. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by States Parties.
4. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article shall enter into force in respect of a State Party ninety days after the date of the deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations of an instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of such amendment.
5. When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on those States Parties which have expressed their consent to be bound by it. Other States Parties shall still be bound by the provisions of this Protocol and any earlier amendments that they have ratified, accepted or approved.
Article 24
Denunciation
1. A State Party may denounce this Protocol by written notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Such denunciation shall become effective one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.
2. A regional economic integration organization shall cease to be a Party to this Protocol when all of its member States have denounced it.
Article 25
Depositary and languages
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated depositary of this Protocol.
2. The original of this Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Protocol.
P R O T O K O L
PROTI TIHOTAPLJENJU MIGRANTOV PO KOPNEM, MORJU IN ZRAKU, KI DOPOLNJUJE KONVENCIJO ZDRUŽENIH NARODOV PROTI MEDNARODNEMU ORGANIZIRANEMU KRIMINALU
Uvod
Države pogodbenice tega protokola
izjavljajo, da učinkovito ukrepanje za preprečevanje in zatiranje tihotapljenja migrantov po kopnem, morju in zraku zahteva celovit mednarodni pristop, ki vključuje sodelovanje, izmenjavo informacij in druge ustrezne ukrepe, tudi družbenogospodarske, na državni, regionalni in mednarodni ravni,
se sklicujejo na Resolucijo Generalne skupščine št. 54/212 z dne 22. decembra 1999, v kateri je skupščina pozvala države članice in Združene narode h krepitvi in razvoju mednarodnega sodelovanja na področju mednarodnih migracij in razvoja zaradi odpravljanja temeljnih vzrokov za migracije, zlasti tistih, ki so povezani z revščino, zaradi povečevanja koristi mednarodnih migracij za vse udeležene ter spodbudila ustrezne, regionalne, medregionalne in poregionalne mehanizme, da se še naprej rešujejo vprašanja migracij in razvoja,
so prepričane, da je migrantom treba zagotoviti humano obravnavanje in popolno varstvo njihovih pravic,
upoštevajo, da kljub delu drugih mednarodnih organizacij ni splošno veljavne listine o reševanju vseh vidikov tihotapljenja migrantov in s tem povezanih vprašanj,
so zaskrbljene zaradi velikega povečanja dejavnosti mednarodnih kriminalnih združb pri tihotapljenju migrantov in s tem povezanih kaznivih ravnanj, navedenih v tem protokolu, ki zelo škodijo državam, ki jih to zadeva,
so prav tako zaskrbljene, saj lahko tihotapljenje migrantov ogrozi njihova življenja in varnost,
se sklicujejo na Resolucijo Generalne skupščine št. 53/111 z dne 9. decembra 1998, s katero se je skupščina odločila, da ustanovi medvladni ad hoc odbor za pripravo celovite mednarodne konvencije proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu in razpravo o pripravi mednarodne listine, ki se bo nanašala na nedovoljeno trgovino in prevoze migrantov, tudi po morju,
so prepričane, da bo dopolnitev Konvencije Združenih narodov proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu z mednarodno listino o tihotapljenju migrantov po kopnem, morju in zraku koristna pri preprečevanju tega kriminala in boju proti njemu,
in so se zato dogovorile:
I. Splošne določbe
1. člen
Razmerje do Konvencije Združenih narodov proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu
1. Ta protokol dopolnjuje Konvencijo Združenih narodov proti mednarodnemu organiziranemu kriminalu. Razlagati ga je treba skupaj z njo.
2. Določbe konvencije se smiselno uporabljajo tudi za ta protokol, če v njem ni določeno drugače.
3. Kazniva dejanja, ki so določena v skladu s 6. členom tega protokola, se štejejo kot kazniva dejanja, določena s konvencijo.
2. člen
Izjava o namenu
Namen tega protokola je preprečevanje in zatiranje tihotapljenja migrantov kakor tudi pospeševanje sodelovanja med državami pogodbenicami ob varovanju pravic tihotapljenih migrantov.
3. člen
Uporaba izrazov
V tem protokolu:
(a) "tihotapljenje migrantov" pomeni posredovanje pri nezakonitem vstopu osebe v državo pogodbenico, ki ni njen državljan ali nima stalnega prebivališča v njej, zaradi pridobitve neposredne ali posredne, finančne ali druge premoženjske koristi;
(b) "nezakonit vstop" pomeni prestop meje brez izpolnjevanja potrebnih zahtev za zakonit vstop v državo sprejemnico;
(c) "ponarejena potna ali identifikacijska listina" pomeni vsako potno ali identifikacijsko listino, ki:
(i) jo je ponaredil ali pomembno spremenil kdor koli drug, razen oseba ali organ, ki je zakonsko pooblaščen za izdelavo ali izdajanje potnih ali identifikacijskih listin v imenu države, ali
(ii) so bile nepravilno izdane ali pridobljene z lažnimi zagotovili, podkupovanjem ali prisilo ali na drug nezakonit način ali
(iii) ki jih uporablja druga oseba in ne njen upravičeni imetnik;
(d) "plovilo" pomeni vsako vrsto vodnega plovila, vključno s splavi in vodnimi letali, ki se ali se lahko uporablja kot prevozno sredstvo po vodi, razen vojnih, oskrbovalnih ali drugih plovil, ki so v lasti države ali jih upravlja, in se uporabljajo samo za državne nekomercialne storitve.
4. člen
Področje uporabe
Ta protokol se, če ni drugače navedeno, uporablja za preprečevanje, preiskovanje in pregon kaznivih dejanj, ugotovljenih v skladu s 6. členom tega protokola, kadar so to mednarodna kazniva dejanja in vključujejo organizirano kriminalno združbo, in za varstvo pravic oseb, ki so bile predmet takih kaznivih dejanj.
5. člen
Kazenska odgovornost migrantov
Migranti ne smejo biti kazensko preganjani po tem protokolu, ker so bili predmet ravnanja, določenega v 6. členu tega protokola.
6. člen
Kaznivost
1. Država pogodbenica sprejme zakonodajne in druge potrebne ukrepe, da se kot kazniva dejanja določijo ta naklepna ravnanja, če so storjena zaradi neposredne ali posredne pridobitve, finančne ali druge premoženjske koristi:
(a) tihotapljenje migrantov;
(b) kadar so storjena zato, da se omogoči tihotapljenje migrantov:
(i) izdelovanje ponarejenih potnih ali identifikacijskih listin;
(ii) priskrba, zagotovitev ali posest take listine;
(c) s pomočjo sredstev, navedenih v pododstavku b tega odstavka, ali na drug nezakonit način omogočanje osebi, ki ni državljan določene države ali v njej nima stalnega prebivališča, da ostane v njej brez izpolnjevanja potrebnih zahtev za zakonito bivanje v njej.
2. Država pogodbenica prav tako sprejme zakonodajne in druge potrebne ukrepe za določitev teh ravnanj kot kaznivih dejanj:
(a) ob upoštevanju temeljnih načel svojega pravnega reda poskus storitve kaznivega dejanja po prvem odstavku tega člena;
(b) sodelovanje pri kaznivem dejanju, določenem v skladu s točko i pododstavka a ali pododstavkom c prvega odstavka tega člena, in ob upoštevanju temeljnih načel svojega pravnega reda sodelovanje pri kaznivem dejanju, določenem v skladu s točko ii pododstavka b prvega odstavka tega člena;
(c) organiziranje ali napeljevanje drugih oseb k storitvi kaznivega dejanja po prvem odstavku tega člena.
3. Država pogodbenica sprejme take zakonodajne ali druge potrebne ukrepe, da kot oteževalne okoliščine pri kaznivih dejanjih, določenih v skladu s pododstavkom a, točko i pododstavka b in pododstavkom c prvega odstavka tega člena, pa tudi pri kaznivih dejanjih, določenih v skladu s pododstavkoma b in c drugega odstavka tega člena, v skladu s temeljnimi načeli pravnega reda določi okoliščine:
a) ki ogrožajo ali bi lahko ogrozile življenje ali varnost takih migrantov ali
b) katerih posledica so nečloveško ali ponižujoče ravnanje ter tudi zlorabe migrantov.
4. Nobena določba tega protokola ne preprečuje državi pogodbenici, da ne ukrepa proti osebi, katere ravnanje je kaznivo dejanje po njenem notranjem pravu.
II. Tihotapljenje migrantov po morju
7. člen
Sodelovanje
Države pogodbenice skladno z mednarodnim pravom morja v največjem mogočem obsegu sodelujejo pri preprečevanju in zatiranju tihotapljenja migrantov po morju.
8. člen
Ukrepi proti tihotapljenju migrantov po morju
1. Država pogodbenica, ki utemeljeno sumi, da se plovilo, ki plove pod njeno zastavo ali trdi, da je v njej registrirano, ali je brez nacionalnosti, ali kljub temu da plove pod tujo zastavo ali je noče izobesiti, dejansko pripada tej državi, ukvarja s tihotapljenjem migrantov po morju, lahko zaprosi za pomoč drugih držav pogodbenic pri preprečevanju uporabe plovila za take namene. Zaprošene države članice morajo v okviru svojih možnosti ponuditi pomoč.
2. Država pogodbenica, ki utemeljeno sumi, da se plovilo, ki v skladu z mednarodno zakonodajo svobodno plove in uporablja zastavo oziroma registrske oznake druge države pogodbenice, ukvarja s tihotapljenjem migrantov po morju, lahko o tem uradno obvesti državo zastave, zaprosi za potrditev registracije, in če je potrjena, zaprosi državo zastave za pooblastilo, da lahko izvede ustrezne ukrepe glede tega plovila. Država zastave lahko med drugim pooblasti državo prosilko:
(a) da se vkrca na plovilo,
(b) preišče plovilo in
(c) v skladu s pooblastili države zastave izvede ustrezne ukrepe glede plovila in oseb ter tovora na krovu, če odkrije dokaze, da se plovilo ukvarja s tihotapljenjem migrantov po morju.
3. Država pogodbenica, ki je na podlagi drugega odstavka tega člena izvedla katerega od ukrepov, takoj obvesti zadevno državo zastave o izidu izvedbe teh ukrepov.
4. Država pogodbenica takoj odgovori na zaprosilo druge države pogodbenice, da ugotovi, ali ima plovilo, ki se sklicuje na njeno registracijo ali plove pod njeno zastavo, do tega pravico, in na zaprosilo za pooblastilo v skladu z drugim odstavkom tega člena.
5. Država zastave lahko skladno s 7. členom tega protokola omeji svoje pooblastilo s pogoji, za katere se dogovori z državo prosilko, vključno s pogoji, ki se nanašajo na odgovornost in obseg učinkovitih ukrepov, ki jih je treba izvesti. Država pogodbenica zastave ne izvede nobenih dodatnih ukrepov brez izrecnega pooblastila države, razen tistih, ki so potrebni za odpravo neposredne nevarnosti za življenje oseb, ali tistih, ki izhajajo iz ustreznih dvostranskih ali večstranskih sporazumov.
6. Država pogodbenica imenuje organ oziroma organe za sprejem in odgovore na zaprosila za pomoč, potrditev registracije ali pravice plovila, da plove pod njeno zastavo, in pooblastilo za izvedbo ustreznih ukrepov. Imenovanje se po generalnem sekretarju uradno sporoči vsem drugim državam pogodbenicam v enem mesecu po imenovanju.
7. Država pogodbenica, ki utemeljeno sumi, da je v tihotapljenje migrantov po morju vpleteno plovilo brez nacionalnosti ali pa bi ga lahko imeli za plovilo brez nacionalnosti, se lahko vkrca na to plovilo in ga preišče. Če se sum potrdi, država pogodbenica izvede ustrezne ukrepe v skladu z notranjim in mednarodnim pravom.
9. člen
Varovalne določbe
1. Kadar država pogodbenica izvede ukrepe proti plovilu v skladu z 8. členom tega protokola, mora:
(a) zagotoviti varnost in človeško ravnanje z osebami na krovu,
upoštevati potrebo, da ne ogrozi varnosti plovila in njegovega tovora;
(b) upoštevati potrebo, da ne škoduje gospodarskim ali pravnim interesom države zastave ali druge zainteresirane države;
(c) v okviru razpoložljivih možnosti zagotoviti, da je vsak ukrep, izveden v zvezi s plovilom, tudi okolju primeren.
2. Kadar se izkaže, da so bili razlogi za ukrepe po 8. členu tega protokola neutemeljeni, je treba plovilu povrniti izgubo ali škodo, ki jo je morda utrpelo, če plovilo ni storilo nič, kar bi upravičevalo izvedbo teh ukrepov.
3. Po tem poglavju sprejeti, odobreni ali izvedeni ukrepi morajo upoštevati potrebo, da ne posegajo ali vplivajo na:
(a) pravice, obveznosti in izvajanje sodnih pristojnosti obalnih držav v skladu z mednarodnim pravom morja ali
(b) pristojnost države zastave glede izvajanja jurisdikcije in nadzor v upravnih, strokovnih in socialnih zadevah v zvezi s plovilom.
4. Ukrepi na morju po tem poglavju se smejo izvajati samo z vojnimi ladjami ali vojaškimi letali oziroma z drugimi ladjami ali letali, ki so jasno označena in prepoznavna, kot da opravljajo naloge za državo in so za to pooblaščena.
III. Preprečevanje, sodelovanje in drugi ukrepi
10. člen
Obveščanje
1. Brez poseganja v 27. in 28. člen konvencije si države pogodbenice, zlasti tiste s skupnimi mejami ali tiste ob poteh za tihotapljenje migrantov, za doseganje ciljev tega protokola v skladu s svojim pravnim in upravnim sistemomizmenjavajo ustrezne informacije kot na primer o:
(a) izhodiščih, ciljih in poteh ter prevoznikih in prevoznih sredstvih, ki jih uporabljajo ali za katere se sumi, da jih uporabljajo organizirane kriminalne združbe, ki se ukvarjajo z ravnanjem iz 6. člena tega protokola;
(b) identiteti in metodah organizacij ali organiziranih kriminalnih združb, za katere se ve ali sumi, da se ukvarjajo z ravnanjem iz 6. člena tega protokola;
(c) verodostojnosti in ustrezni obliki potnih listin države pogodbenice ter kraji ali z njo povezani zlorabi obrazcev potnih in identifikacijskih listin;
(d) sredstvih ter metodah skrivanja in prevoza oseb, nezakonitem spreminjanju, predelavi, pridobivanju ali drugih zlorabah potnih ali identifikacijskih listin, uporabljenih z ravnanjem iz 6. člena tega protokola, in načinih njihovega odkrivanja;
(e) zakonodajnih izkušnjah ter praksah in ukrepih za preprečevanje in zatiranje ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in
(f) znanstvenih in tehnoloških podatkih, koristnih za organe pregona in medsebojno povečevanje sposobnosti za preprečevanje, odkrivanje in preiskovanje ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in za pregon tistih, ki so vanj vpleteni.
2. Država pogodbenica, ki prejme informacijo glede omejitve njene uporabe, izpolni vsako zahtevo države pogodbenice, ki jo je poslala.
11. člen
Ukrepi na meji
1. Države pogodbenice brez škode za mednarodne obveznosti glede prostega gibanja ljudi okrepijo nadzor meje v obsegu, potrebnem za preprečevanje in odkrivanje tihotapljenja migrantov.
2. Država pogodbenica v okviru možnosti sprejme zakonodajne ali druge ustrezne ukrepe, da prepreči, da se prevozna sredstva komercialnih prevoznikov uporabljajo za storitev kaznivih dejanj, določenih v skladu s pododstavkom a prvega odstavka 6. člena tega protokola.
3. Kadar je primerno in brez poseganja v veljavne mednarodne konvencije ti ukrepi vključujejo uvedbo obveznosti za komercialne prevoznike, vključno s prevoznimi podjetji ali lastniki ali upravljavci prevoznih sredstev, da zagotovijo, da imajo vsi potniki potne listine, zahtevane za vstop v državo sprejemnico.
4. Država pogodbenica v skladu s svojim notranjim pravom sprejme ustrezne ukrepe, potrebne za kaznovanje, če so kršene obveznosti, določene v tretjem odstavku tega člena.
5. Država pogodbenica preuči sprejetje ukrepov, ki v skladu z njenim notranjim pravom dovoljujejo zavrnitev vstopa ali preklic vizumov za osebe, vpletene v storitev kaznivih dejanj, določenih v skladu s tem protokolom.
6. Brez poseganja v 27. člen konvencije države pogodbenice preučijo okrepitev sodelovanja med službami za mejni nadzor, med drugim tudi z uvedbo in vzdrževanjem neposrednih stikov.
12. člen
Varnost in nadzor listin
Država pogodbenica sprejme potrebne ukrepe v okviru svojih možnosti:
(a) da zagotovi, da so potne in identifikacijske listine, ki jih je izdala, tako kakovostne, da jih je težko zlorabiti in ne morejo biti enostavno ponarejene ali nezakonito spremenjene, razmnožene ali izdane, in
(b) da zagotovi popolnost in varnost potnih in identifikacijskih listin, ki jih je izdala ali so bile izdane v njenem imenu, da prepreči njihovo nezakonito izdelovanje, izdajanje in uporabo.
13. člen
Legitimnost in veljavnost listin
Država pogodbenica na zahtevo druge države pogodbenice v skladu s svojim notranjim pravom v razumnem času preveri legitimnost in veljavnost potnih ali identifikacijskih listin, ki so bile ali naj bi bile izdane v njenem imenu in se zanje sumi, da so bile uporabljene za ravnanje iz 6. člena tega protokola.
14. člen
Usposabljanje in strokovno sodelovanje
1. Države pogodbenice zagotovijo ali okrepijo posebno usposabljanje uslužbencev na področju priseljevanja in drugih ustreznih področjih za preprečevanje ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in človeško obravnavanje migrantov, ki so bili predmet takega ravnanja, ob spoštovanju njihovih pravic po tem protokolu.
2. Države pogodbenice ustrezno sodelujejo med sabo, s pristojnimi mednarodnimi organizacijami, nevladnimi organizacijami, drugimi ustreznimi organizacijami in deli civilne družbe, da na svojem ozemlju zagotovijo ustrezno usposabljanje osebja za preprečevanje, zatiranje in odpravo ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in za zaščito pravic migrantov, ki so bili predmet takega ravnanja. To usposabljanje vključuje:
(a) izboljšanje varnosti in kakovosti potnih listin,
(b) prepoznavanje in odkrivanje ponarejenih potnih ali identifikacijskih listin,
(c) zbiranje kriminalistično-obveščevalnih podatkov, zlasti v zvezi z identifikacijo organiziranih kriminalnih združb, za katere je znano ali se sumi, da so vpletene v ravnanje iz 6. člena tega protokola v zvezi z metodami, uporabljenimi za prevoz tihotapljenih migrantov, zlorabo potnih ali identifikacijskih dokumentov v te namene, in sredstvi za prikrivanje, ki so uporabljena pri tihotapljenju migrantov;
(d) izboljšanje postopkov za odkrivanje tihotapljenih oseb na mejnih prehodih in zunaj njih in
(e) človeško ravnanje z migranti in varstvo njihovih pravic, kot je določeno v tem protokolu.
3. Države pogodbenice z ustreznim strokovnim znanjem preučijo možnost za zagotavljanje strokovne pomoči državam, ki so pogosto države izvora ali tranzita za osebe, ki so bile predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola. Države pogodbenice si kar najbolj prizadevajo, da zagotovijo potrebna sredstva, kot so na primer vozila, računalniški sistemi in čitalniki listin, za boj proti ravnanju iz 6. člena tega protokola.
15. člen
Drugi preprečevalni ukrepi
1. Vsaka država pogodbenica sprejme ukrepe, s katerimi zagotovi vzpostavitev ali okrepitev informacijskih programov za ozaveščanje javnosti, da je ravnanje iz 6. člena tega protokola kriminalna dejavnost, ki jo pogosto izvajajo organizirane kriminalne združbe zaradi zaslužka in je resna nevarnost za prizadete migrante.
2. V skladu z 31. členom konvencije države pogodbenice sodelujejo pri obveščanju javnosti, da preprečijo, da bi morebitni migranti postali žrtve organiziranih kriminalnih združb.
3. Država pogodbenica pospešuje ali okrepi razvojne programe ter sodelovanje na državni, regionalni in mednarodni ravni, pri tem pa upošteva družbenogospodarske danosti migracij in nameni posebno pozornost gospodarsko in socialno zaostalim območjem, da se bori proti temeljnim družbenogospodarskim vzrokom tihotapljenja migrantov, kot sta revščina in nerazvitost.
16. člen
Ukrepi za varstvo in pomoč
1. Pri izvajanju tega protokola država pogodbenica v skladu s svojimi obveznostmi po mednarodnem pravu sprejme vse ustrezne ukrepe, po potrebi tudi zakonodajne, za ohranitev in varstvo pravic, kot so opredeljene na podlagi veljavnega mednarodnega prava, za osebe, ki so bile predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola, še posebej pravice do življenja in pravice, da oseba ni izpostavljena mučenju ali drugače krutemu, nečloveškemu ali ponižujočemu ravnanju ali kaznovanju.
2. Država pogodbenica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe za zagotavljanje ustrezne zaščite migrantov pred nasiljem posameznikov ali skupin, ker so predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola.
3. Država pogodbenica zagotavlja ustrezno pomoč migrantom, katerih življenje ali varnost je ogrožena, ker so predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola.
4. Pri uporabi določb tega člena države pogodbenice upoštevajo posebne potrebe žensk in otrok.
5. Če je oseba, ki je bila predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola, pridržana, država pogodbenica ravna v skladu s svojimi obveznostmi po Dunajski konvenciji o diplomatskih odnosih, kadar je to primerno, tudi v skladu z obveznostjo takojšnjega obveščanja prizadete osebe o določbah, ki se nanašajo na stike z diplomatskimi uslužbenci.
17. člen
Sporazumi in dogovori
Države pogodbenice preučijo sklenitev dvostranskih ali regionalnih sporazumov ali delovnih dogovorov za:
(a) določitev najustreznejših in najučinkovitejših ukrepov za preprečevanje in zatiranje ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola ali
(b) dopolnjevanje določb tega protokola med njimi.
18. člen
Vračanje pretihotapljenih migrantov
1. Vsaka država pogodbenica soglaša, da bo brez neprimernega ali nerazumnega odlašanja olajšala in sprejela vrnitev osebe, ki je bila predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in je ob vračanju njen državljan in ima pravico do stalnega prebivališča na njenem ozemlju.
2. Država pogodbenica preuči možnost, da olajša in sprejme vrnitev osebe, ki je bila predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in je imela ob vstopu v državo sprejemnico v skladu z njenim notranjim pravom pravico do stalnega prebivališča na njenem ozemlju.
3. Na zahtevo države sprejemnice zaprošena država brez neprimernega ali nerazumnega odlašanja preveri, ali je oseba, ki je bila predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola, njen državljan oziroma ima pravico do stalnega prebivališča na njenem ozemlju.
4. Za lažjo vrnitev osebe, ki je bila predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola in nima ustreznih dokumentov, država pogodbenica, katere državljan je ta oseba ali na ozemlju katere ima pravico do stalnega prebivališča, soglaša, da na zahtevo države sprejemnice izda take potne listine ali drugo dovoljenje, ki je potrebno, da oseba lahko potuje in ponovno vstopa na njeno ozemlje.
5. Država pogodbenica, ki je vključena v vračanje osebe, ki je bila predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola, sprejme vse ustrezne ukrepe, da se vrnitev pravilno izvede ob upoštevanju varnosti in dostojanstva te osebe.
6. Države pogodbenice lahko pri izvajanju tega člena sodelujejo z ustreznimi mednarodnimi organizacijami.
7. Določbe tega člena ne vplivajo na pravice, dodeljene osebam, ki so bile predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola, z notranjo zakonodajo države sprejemnice.
8. Ta člen ne vpliva na obveznosti iz drugih dvostranskih ali večstranskih pogodb ali delovnih sporazumov ali dogovorov, ki delno ali v celoti urejajo vračanje oseb, ki so bile predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola.
IV. Končne določbe
19. člen
Varnostna določba
1. Nobena določba tega protokola ne vpliva na druge pravice, obveznosti in odgovornosti držav in posameznikov po mednarodnem pravu, vključno z mednarodnim humanitarnim pravom in mednarodnim pravom človekovih pravic in zlasti, kadar je to primerno, po konvenciji iz leta 1951 in protokolu iz leta 1967 o statusu beguncev in načelu nevmešavanja, ki ga vsebujeta.
2. Ukrepi, določeni v tem protokolu, se razlagajo in uporabljajo na način, ki ne zapostavlja oseb zato, ker so bile predmet ravnanja iz 6. člena tega protokola. Razlaga in uporaba teh ukrepov sta skladni z mednarodno priznanimi načeli nerazlikovanja.
20. člen
Reševanje sporov
1. Države pogodbenice si prizadevajo reševati spore zaradi razlage ali uporabe tega protokola s pogajanji.
2. Spor med dvema ali več državami pogodbenicami zaradi razlage ali uporabe tega protokola, ki ga v razumnem času ni mogoče rešiti s pogajanji, se na predlog ene od teh držav pogodbenic predloži v arbitražo. Če se države pogodbenice v šestih mesecih po predlogu za arbitražo ne morejo dogovoriti o organizaciji arbitraže, lahko država pogodbenica predloži spor Meddržavnemu sodišču v skladu s statutom sodišča.
3. Država pogodbenica lahko ob podpisu, ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi tega protokola ali pristopu k njemu izjavi, da se ne šteje za zavezano po drugem odstavku tega člena. Drugi odstavek tega člena ne zavezuje drugih držav v odnosu do države, ki je dala tak pridržek.
4. Država pogodbenica, ki je dala pridržek v skladu s tretjim odstavkom tega člena, ga lahko kadar koli umakne z uradnim obvestilom generalnemu sekretarju Združenih narodov.
21. člen
Podpis, ratifikacija, sprejetje, odobritev in pristop
1. Ta protokol je vsem državam na voljo za podpis od 12. do 15. decembra 2000 v Palermu, Italija, nato pa na sedežu Združenih narodov v New Yorku do 12. decembra 2002.
2. Ta protokol je od 12. do 15. decembra 2000 na voljo za podpis tudi regionalnim organizacijam za gospodarsko sodelovanje, če je vsaj ena država članica te organizacije podpisala ta protokol v skladu s prvim odstavkom tega člena.
3. Ta protokol je treba ratificirati, sprejeti ali odobriti. Listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi se deponirajo pri generalnem sekretarju Združenih narodov. Regionalna organizacija za gospodarsko sodelovanje lahko deponira svojo listino o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi, če je tako storila najmanj ena njena država članica. V listini o ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi organizacija izjavi, kakšen je obseg pristojnosti za zadeve, ki jih ureja ta protokol. Ta organizacija obvesti depozitarja tudi o vsaki pomembni spremembi glede obsega njenih pristojnosti.
4. K temu protokolu lahko pristopi katera koli država ali regionalna organizacija za gospodarsko sodelovanje, če je najmanj ena njena članica podpisnica tega protokola. Listine o pristopu se hranijo pri generalnem sekretarju Združenih narodov. Regionalna organizacija za gospodarsko sodelovanje ob pristopu izjavi, kakšen je obseg njenih pristojnosti za zadeve, ki jih ureja ta protokol. Ta organizacija obvesti depozitarja tudi o vsaki pomembni spremembi glede obsega svojih pristojnosti.
22. člen
Začetek veljavnosti
1. Ta protokol začne veljati devetdeseti dan po datumu deponiranja štiridesete listine o ratifikaciji, sprejetju, odobritvi ali pristopu, s tem da ne začne veljati pred začetkom veljavnosti konvencije. Za namen tega odstavka se listine, ki jih deponirajo regionalne organizacije za gospodarsko sodelovanje, ne štejejo za dodatne k listinam, ki so jih že deponirale države članice te organizacije.
2. Za državo ali regionalno organizacijo za gospodarsko sodelovanje, ki ratificira, sprejme, odobri ta protokol ali pristopi k njemu po deponiranju štiridesete listine, začne ta protokol veljati trideseti dan po datumu deponiranja ustrezne listine te države ali organizacije ali na dan, ko ta protokol začne veljati v skladu s prvim odstavkom tega člena, kar od tega je pozneje.
23. člen
Spremembe
1. Po petih letih od začetka veljavnosti tega protokola lahko država pogodbenica protokola predlaga spremembo in jo vloži pri generalnem sekretarju Združenih narodov, ki predlagano spremembo pošlje državam pogodbenicam in konferenci pogodbenic konvencije v razpravo in odločanje o predlogu. Države pogodbenice tega protokola, ki se sestanejo na konferenci pogodbenic, si čim bolj prizadevajo doseči soglasje za vsako spremembo. Če so izčrpana vsa prizadevanja za soglasje in ni bil dosežen sporazum, je za sprejetje spremembe na koncu potrebna dvetretjinska večina držav pogodbenic protokola, ki so navzoče in glasujejo na konferenci pogodbenic.
2. Regionalne organizacije za gospodarsko sodelovanje pri zadevah iz svojih pristojnosti uresničujejo svojo pravico do glasovanja po tem členu s številom glasov, ki je enako številu njihovih držav članic, ki so pogodbenice tega protokola. Take organizacije ne smejo uresničevati svoje glasovalne pravice, če njihove države članice uresničujejo svojo in obratno.
3. Države pogodbenice morajo ratificirati, sprejeti ali odobriti spremembo, sprejeto v skladu s prvim odstavkom tega člena.
4. Sprememba, sprejeta v skladu s prvim odstavkom tega člena, začne za državo pogodbenico veljati devetdeset dni po datumu deponiranja listine o njeni ratifikaciji, sprejetju ali odobritvi pri generalnem sekretarju Združenih narodov.
5. Ko sprememba začne veljati, je obvezujoča za tiste države pogodbenice, ki so izrazile soglasje, da jih zavezuje. Druge države pogodbenice pa še naprej zavezujejo določbe tega protokola in vse prejšnje spremembe, ki so jih ratificirale, sprejele ali odobrile.
24. člen
Odpoved
1. Država pogodbenica lahko odpove ta protokol s pisnim uradnim obvestilom generalnemu sekretarju Združenih narodov. Odpoved zaène veljati eno leto po tem, ko je generalni sekretar prejel uradno obvestilo.
2. Regionalna organizacija za gospodarsko sodelovanje preneha biti pogodbenica tega protokola, ko ga odpovejo vse njene države članice.
25. člen
Depozitar in jezik
1. Depozitar tega protokola je generalni sekretar Združenih narodov.
2. Izvirnik tega protokola, katerega besedila v angleškem, arabskem, francoskem, kitajskem, ruskem in španskem jeziku so enako verodostojna, se hrani pri generalnem sekretarju Združenih narodov.
V POTRDITEV NAVEDENEGA so podpisani pooblaščenci, ki so jih za to pravilno pooblastile njihove vlade, podpisali ta protokol.
3. člen
Za izvajanje protokola skrbi Ministrstvo za notranje zadeve.
4. člen
Ta zakon začne veljati naslednji dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.
Št. 212-05/04-38/1
Ljubljana, dne 21. aprila 2004
EPA 1227-III
Predsednik
Državnega zbora
Republike Slovenije
Borut Pahor l. r.
