<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.msonormal0, li.msonormal0, div.msonormal0
{mso-style-name:msonormal;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Full Text of the CEDAW Convention</b> - <a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw.htm">
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Available in the 6 Official UN Language Translations<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reservations.htm">http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reservations.htm</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black"><img border="0" width="375" height="79" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image005.jpg@01D464A4.D81647E0" alt="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/images/banners/CEDAW.gif"></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Reservations to CEDAW</span></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><br>
</span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><img border="0" width="328" height="2" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image006.jpg@01D464A4.D81647E0" alt="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/images/blue.gif"><br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Convention permits ratification subject to reservations, provided that the reservations are not incompatible with
the object and purpose of the Convention. Some States parties that enter reservations to the Convention do not enter reservations to analogous provisions in other human rights treaties. A number of States enter reservations to particular articles on the ground
that national law, tradition, religion or culture are not congruent with Convention principles, and purport to justify the reservation on that basis. Some States enter a reservation to article 2, although their national constitutions or laws prohibit discrimination.
There is therefore an inherent conflict between the provisions of the State's constitution and its reservation to the Convention. Some reservations are drawn so widely that their effect cannot be limited to specific provisions in the Convention.</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#C00000">For specific reservations by country, click </span><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reservations-country.htm"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">here</span></a></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F4E79">To download a PDF version of CEDAW/SP/2006/2: Declarations, reservations, objections and notifications
of withdrawal of reservations relating to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, click on the preferred language link:
</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">[ <b><a href="http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=CEDAW/SP/2006/2&Lang=A" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">A</span></a> <a href="http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=CEDAW/SP/2006/2&Lang=C" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">C</span></a> <a href="http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=CEDAW/SP/2006/2&Lang=E" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">E</span></a> <a href="http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=CEDAW/SP/2006/2&Lang=F" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">F</span></a> <a href="http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=CEDAW/SP/2006/2&Lang=R" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">R</span></a> <a href="http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=CEDAW/SP/2006/2&Lang=S" target="_blank"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">S</span></a></b>]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Impermissible reservations<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Article 28, paragraph 2, of the Convention adopts the impermissibility principle contained in the Vienna Convention
on the Law of Treaties. It states that a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the present Convention shall not be permitted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Although the Convention does not prohibit the entering of reservations, those which challenge the central principles
of the Convention are contrary to the provisions of the Convention and to general international law. As such they may be challenged by other States parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Articles 2 and 16 are considered by the Committee to be core provisions of the Convention. Although some States parties
have withdrawn reservations to those articles, the Committee is particularly concerned at the number and extent of reservations entered to those articles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Committee holds the view that article 2 is central to the objects and purpose of the Convention. States parties
which ratify the Convention do so because they agree that discrimination against women in all its forms should be condemned and that the strategies set out in article 2, subparagraphs (a) to (g), should be implemented by States parties to eliminate it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Neither traditional, religious or cultural practice nor incompatible domestic laws and policies can justify violations
of the Convention. The Committee also remains convinced that reservations to article 16, whether lodged for national, traditional, religious or cultural reasons, are incompatible with the Convention and therefore impermissible and should be reviewed and modified
or withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Removing reservations<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Committee considers that those States parties which have entered reservations to the Convention have certain options
open to them. According to the Special Rapporteur appointed by the International Law Commission to report on the law and practice relating to reservations to treaties a State party may:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">(a) After having examined the finding in good faith, maintain its reservation;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">(b) Withdraw its reservation;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">(c) "Regularize" its situation by replacing its impermissible reservation with a permissible reservation;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">(d) Renounce being a party to the Treaty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">To date, few reservations to article 2 have been withdrawn or modified by any State party and that reservations to
article 16 are rarely withdrawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The role of the Committee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">The Committee has certain responsibilities as the body of experts charged with the consideration of periodic reports
submitted to it. The Committee, in its examination of States' reports, enters into constructive dialogue with the State party and makes concluding comments routinely expressing concern at the entry of reservations, in particular to articles 2 and 16, or the
failure of States parties to withdraw or modify them. <br>
<br>
The Special Rapporteur considers that control of the permissibility of reservations is the primary responsibility of the States parties. However, the Committee again wishes to draw to the attention of States parties its grave concern at the number and extent
of impermissible reservations. It also expresses concern that, even when States object to such reservations there appears to be a reluctance on the part of the States concerned to remove and modify them and thereby comply with general principles of international
law.<br>
<br>
The Committee in two of the general recommendations and its <a href="http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/reports/18report.pdf"><span style="color:#1C6BFF">statement on reservations</span></a> has called on the States to re-examine their self-imposed limitations
to full compliance with all the principles in the Convention by the entry of reservations. Removal or modification of reservations, particularly to articles 2 and 16, would indicate a State party's determination to remove all barriers to women's full equality
and its commitment to ensuring that women are able to participate fully in all aspects of public and private life without fear of discrimination or recrimination. States which remove reservations would be making a major contribution to achieving the objectives
of both formal and de facto or substantive compliance with the Convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>