InternationalConventionfortheSuppressionofTerroristBombing,G.A.Res.164,U.N.

GAOR,
52ndSess.,Supp.No.49,at389,U.N.Doc.A/52/49(1998),enteredintoforceMay23,2001.

THESTATESPARTIEStothisConvention,

HavinginmindthepurposesandprinciplesoftheCharteroftheUnitedNationsconcerningthemaintenanceof
internationalpeaceandsecurityandthepromotionofgoodneighbourlinessandfriendlyrelationsandcooperation
amongStates,

Deeplyconcernedabouttheworldwideescalationofactsofterrorisminallitsformsandmanifestations,

RecallingtheDeclarationontheOccasionoftheFiftiethAnniversaryoftheUnitedNationsof24October1995,

RecallingalsotheDeclarationonMeasurestoEliminateInternationalTerrorism,annexedtoGeneralAssembly
resolution49/60of9December1994,inwhich,interalia,"theStatesMembersoftheUnitedNationssolemnlyreaffirm
theirunequivocalcondemnationofallacts,methodsandpracticesofterrorismascriminalandunjustifiable,wherever
andbywhomevercommitted,includingthosewhichjeopardizethefriendlyrelationsamongStatesandpeoplesand
threatentheterritorialintegrityandsecurityofStates",

NotingthattheDeclarationalsoencouragedStates"toreviewurgentlythescopeoftheexistinginternationallegal
provisionsontheprevention,repressionandeliminationofterrorisminallitsformsandmanifestations,withtheaimof
ensuringthatthereisacomprehensivelegalframeworkcoveringallaspectsofthematter",

RecallingGeneralAssemblyresolution51/210of17December1996andtheDeclarationtoSupplementthe1994
DeclarationonMeasurestoEliminateInternationalTerrorismannexedthereto,

Notingthatterroristattacksbymeansofexplosivesorotherlethaldeviceshavebecomeincreasinglywidespread,

Notingalsothatexistingmultilaterallegalprovisionsdonotadequatelyaddresstheseattacks,

BeingconvincedoftheurgentneedtoenhanceinternationalcooperationbetweenStatesindevisingandadopting
effectiveandpracticalmeasuresforthepreventionofsuchactsofterrorismandfortheprosecutionandpunishmentof
theirperpetrators,

Consideringthattheoccurrenceofsuchactsisamatterofgraveconcerntotheinternationalcommunityasawhole,

NotingthattheactivitiesofmilitaryforcesofStatesaregovernedbyrulesofinternationallawoutsidetheframeworkof
thisConventionandthattheexclusionofcertainactionsfromthecoverageofthisConventiondoesnotcondoneormake
lawfulotherwiseunlawfulacts,orprecludeprosecutionunderotherlaws,

Haveagreedasfollows:

Article1

ForthepurposesofthisConvention

1."Stateorgovernmentfacility"includesanypermanentortemporaryfacilityorconveyancethatisusedoroccupied
byrepresentativesofaState,membersofGovernment,thelegislatureorthejudiciaryorbyofficialsoremployees
ofaStateoranyotherpublicauthorityorentityorbyemployeesorofficialsofanintergovernmentalorganization
inconnectionwiththeirofficialduties.
2."Infrastructurefacility"meansanypubliclyorprivatelyownedfacilityprovidingordistributingservicesforthe
benefitofthepublic,suchaswater,sewage,energy,fuelorcommunications.
3."Explosiveorotherlethaldevice"means:
a.Anexplosiveorincendiaryweaponordevicethatisdesigned,orhasthecapability,tocausedeath,serious
bodilyinjuryorsubstantialmaterialdamageor
 b.Aweaponordevicethatisdesigned,orhasthecapability,tocausedeath,seriousbodilyinjuryorsubstantial
materialdamagethroughtherelease,disseminationorimpactoftoxicchemicals,biologicalagentsortoxins
orsimilarsubstancesorradiationorradioactivematerial.
4."MilitaryforcesofaState"meansthearmedforcesofaStatewhichareorganized,trainedandequippedunderits
internallawfortheprimarypurposeofnationaldefenceorsecurityandpersonsactinginsupportofthosearmed
forceswhoareundertheirformalcommand,controlandresponsibility.
5."Placeofpublicuse"meansthosepartsofanybuilding,land,street,waterwayorotherlocationthatareaccessible
oropentomembersofthepublic,whethercontinuously,periodicallyoroccasionally,andencompassesany
commercial,business,cultural,historical,educational,religious,governmental,entertainment,recreationalor
similarplacethatissoaccessibleoropentothepublic.
6."Publictransportationsystem"meansallfacilities,conveyancesandinstrumentalities,whetherpubliclyor
privatelyowned,thatareusedinorforpubliclyavailableservicesforthetransportationofpersonsorcargo.

Article2

1.AnypersoncommitsanoffencewithinthemeaningofthisConventionifthatpersonunlawfullyandintentionally
delivers,places,dischargesordetonatesanexplosiveorotherlethaldevicein,intooragainstaplaceofpublicuse,
aStateorgovernmentfacility,apublictransportationsystemoraninfrastructurefacility:
a.Withtheintenttocausedeathorseriousbodilyinjuryor
b.Withtheintenttocauseextensivedestructionofsuchaplace,facilityorsystem,wheresuchdestruction
resultsinorislikelytoresultinmajoreconomicloss.
2.Anypersonalsocommitsanoffenceifthatpersonattemptstocommitanoffenceassetforthinparagraph1ofthe
presentarticle.
3.Anypersonalsocommitsanoffenceifthatperson:
a.Participatesasanaccompliceinanoffenceassetforthinparagraph1or2ofthepresentarticleor
b.Organizesordirectsotherstocommitanoffenceassetforthinparagraph1or2ofthepresentarticleor
c.Inanyotherwaycontributestothecommissionofoneormoreoffencesassetforthinparagraph1or2of
thepresentarticlebyagroupofpersonsactingwithacommonpurposesuchcontributionshallbe
intentionalandeitherbemadewiththeaimoffurtheringthegeneralcriminalactivityorpurposeofthe
grouporbemadeintheknowledgeoftheintentionofthegrouptocommittheoffenceoroffences
concerned.

Article3

ThisConventionshallnotapplywheretheoffenceiscommittedwithinasingleState,theallegedoffenderandthe
victimsarenationalsofthatState,theallegedoffenderisfoundintheterritoryofthatStateandnootherStatehasabasis
underarticle6,paragraph1orparagraph2,ofthisConventiontoexercisejurisdiction,exceptthattheprovisionsof
articles10to15shall,asappropriate,applyinthosecases.

Article4

EachStatePartyshalladoptsuchmeasuresasmaybenecessary:

a.Toestablishascriminaloffencesunderitsdomesticlawtheoffencessetforthinarticle2ofthisConvention
b.Tomakethoseoffencespunishablebyappropriatepenaltieswhichtakeintoaccountthegravenatureofthose
offences.

Article5

EachStatePartyshalladoptsuchmeasuresasmaybenecessary,including,whereappropriate,domesticlegislation,to
ensurethatcriminalactswithinthescopeofthisConvention,inparticularwheretheyareintendedorcalculatedto
provokeastateofterrorinthegeneralpublicorinagroupofpersonsorparticularpersons,areundernocircumstances
justifiablebyconsiderationsofapolitical,philosophical,ideological,racial,ethnic,religiousorothersimilarnatureand
arepunishedbypenaltiesconsistentwiththeirgravenature.

Article6

1.EachStatePartyshalltakesuchmeasuresasmaybenecessarytoestablishitsjurisdictionovertheoffencesset
forthinarticle2when:
a.TheoffenceiscommittedintheterritoryofthatStateor
b.TheoffenceiscommittedonboardavesselflyingtheflagofthatStateoranaircraftwhichisregistered
underthelawsofthatStateatthetimetheoffenceiscommittedor
c.TheoffenceiscommittedbyanationalofthatState.
 2.AStatePartymayalsoestablishitsjurisdictionoveranysuchoffencewhen:
a.TheoffenceiscommittedagainstanationalofthatStateor
b.TheoffenceiscommittedagainstaStateorgovernmentfacilityofthatStateabroad,includinganembassy
orotherdiplomaticorconsularpremisesofthatStateor
c.Theoffenceiscommittedbyastatelesspersonwhohashisorherhabitualresidenceintheterritoryofthat
Stateor
d.TheoffenceiscommittedinanattempttocompelthatStatetodoorabstainfromdoinganyactor
e.TheoffenceiscommittedonboardanaircraftwhichisoperatedbytheGovernmentofthatState.
3.Uponratifying,accepting,approvingoraccedingtothisConvention,eachStatePartyshallnotifytheSecretary
GeneraloftheUnitedNationsofthejurisdictionithasestablishedunderitsdomesticlawinaccordancewith
paragraph2ofthepresentarticle.Shouldanychangetakeplace,theStatePartyconcernedshallimmediately
notifytheSecretaryGeneral.
4.EachStatePartyshalllikewisetakesuchmeasuresasmaybenecessarytoestablishitsjurisdictionoverthe
offencessetforthinarticle2incaseswheretheallegedoffenderispresentinitsterritoryanditdoesnotextradite
thatpersontoanyoftheStatesPartieswhichhaveestablishedtheirjurisdictioninaccordancewithparagraph1or
2ofthepresentarticle.
5.ThisConventiondoesnotexcludetheexerciseofanycriminaljurisdictionestablishedbyaStatePartyin
accordancewithitsdomesticlaw.

Article7

1.Uponreceivinginformationthatapersonwhohascommittedorwhoisallegedtohavecommittedanoffenceas
setforthinarticle2maybepresentinitsterritory,theStatePartyconcernedshalltakesuchmeasuresasmaybe
necessaryunderitsdomesticlawtoinvestigatethefactscontainedintheinformation.
2.Uponbeingsatisfiedthatthecircumstancessowarrant,theStatePartyinwhoseterritorytheoffenderoralleged
offenderispresentshalltaketheappropriatemeasuresunderitsdomesticlawsoastoensurethatperson's
presenceforthepurposeofprosecutionorextradition.
3.Anypersonregardingwhomthemeasuresreferredtoinparagraph2ofthepresentarticlearebeingtakenshallbe
entitledto:
a.CommunicatewithoutdelaywiththenearestappropriaterepresentativeoftheStateofwhichthatpersonisa
nationalorwhichisotherwiseentitledtoprotectthatperson'srightsor,ifthatpersonisastatelessperson,
theStateintheterritoryofwhichthatpersonhabituallyresides
b.BevisitedbyarepresentativeofthatState
c.Beinformedofthatperson'srightsundersubparagraphs(a)and(b).
4.Therightsreferredtoinparagraph3ofthepresentarticleshallbeexercisedinconformitywiththelawsand
regulationsoftheStateintheterritoryofwhichtheoffenderorallegedoffenderispresent,subjecttotheprovision
thatthesaidlawsandregulationsmustenablefulleffecttobegiventothepurposesforwhichtherightsaccorded
underparagraph3areintended.
5.Theprovisionsofparagraphs3and4ofthepresentarticleshallbewithoutprejudicetotherightofanyStateParty
havingaclaimtojurisdictioninaccordancewitharticle6,subparagraph1(c)or2(c),toinvitetheInternational
CommitteeoftheRedCrosstocommunicatewithandvisittheallegedoffender.
6.WhenaStateParty,pursuanttothepresentarticle,hastakenapersonintocustody,itshallimmediatelynotify,
directlyorthroughtheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations,theStatesPartieswhichhaveestablished
jurisdictioninaccordancewitharticle6,paragraphs1and2,and,ifitconsidersitadvisable,anyotherinterested
StatesParties,ofthefactthatthatpersonisincustodyandofthecircumstanceswhichwarrantthatperson's
detention.TheStatewhichmakestheinvestigationcontemplatedinparagraph1ofthepresentarticleshall
promptlyinformthesaidStatesPartiesofitsfindingsandshallindicatewhetheritintendstoexercisejurisdiction.

Article8

1.TheStatePartyintheterritoryofwhichtheallegedoffenderispresentshall,incasestowhicharticle6applies,if
itdoesnotextraditethatperson,beobliged,withoutexceptionwhatsoeverandwhetherornottheoffencewas
committedinitsterritory,tosubmitthecasewithoutunduedelaytoitscompetentauthoritiesforthepurposeof
prosecution,throughproceedingsinaccordancewiththelawsofthatState.Thoseauthoritiesshalltaketheir
decisioninthesamemannerasinthecaseofanyotheroffenceofagravenatureunderthelawofthatState.
2.WheneveraStatePartyispermittedunderitsdomesticlawtoextraditeorotherwisesurrenderoneofitsnationals
onlyupontheconditionthatthepersonwillbereturnedtothatStatetoservethesentenceimposedasaresultof
thetrialorproceedingforwhichtheextraditionorsurrenderofthepersonwassought,andthisStateandtheState
seekingtheextraditionofthepersonagreewiththisoptionandothertermstheymaydeemappropriate,sucha
conditionalextraditionorsurrendershallbesufficienttodischargetheobligationsetforthinparagraph1ofthe
presentarticle.
Article9

1.Theoffencessetforthinarticle2shallbedeemedtobeincludedasextraditableoffencesinanyextraditiontreaty
existingbetweenanyoftheStatesPartiesbeforetheentryintoforceofthisConvention.StatesPartiesundertake
toincludesuchoffencesasextraditableoffencesineveryextraditiontreatytobesubsequentlyconcludedbetween
them.
2.WhenaStatePartywhichmakesextraditionconditionalontheexistenceofatreatyreceivesarequestfor
extraditionfromanotherStatePartywithwhichithasnoextraditiontreaty,therequestedStatePartymay,atits
option,considerthisConventionasalegalbasisforextraditioninrespectoftheoffencessetforthinarticle2.
ExtraditionshallbesubjecttotheotherconditionsprovidedbythelawoftherequestedState.
3.StatesPartieswhichdonotmakeextraditionconditionalontheexistenceofatreatyshallrecognizetheoffences
setforthinarticle2asextraditableoffencesbetweenthemselves,subjecttotheconditionsprovidedbythelawof
therequestedState.
4.Ifnecessary,theoffencessetforthinarticle2shallbetreated,forthepurposesofextraditionbetweenStates
Parties,asiftheyhadbeencommittednotonlyintheplaceinwhichtheyoccurredbutalsointheterritoryofthe
Statesthathaveestablishedjurisdictioninaccordancewitharticle6,paragraphs1and2.
5.TheprovisionsofallextraditiontreatiesandarrangementsbetweenStatesPartieswithregardtooffencessetforth
inarticle2shallbedeemedtobemodifiedasbetweenStatePartiestotheextentthattheyareincompatiblewith
thisConvention.

Article10

1.StatesPartiesshallaffordoneanotherthegreatestmeasureofassistanceinconnectionwithinvestigationsor
criminalorextraditionproceedingsbroughtinrespectoftheoffencessetforthinarticle2,includingassistancein
obtainingevidenceattheirdisposalnecessaryfortheproceedings.
2.StatesPartiesshallcarryouttheirobligationsunderparagraph1ofthepresentarticleinconformitywithany
treatiesorotherarrangementsonmutuallegalassistancethatmayexistbetweenthem.Intheabsenceofsuch
treatiesorarrangements,StatesPartiesshallaffordoneanotherassistanceinaccordancewiththeirdomesticlaw.

Article11

Noneoftheoffencessetforthinarticle2shallberegarded,forthepurposesofextraditionormutuallegalassistance,as
apoliticaloffenceorasanoffenceconnectedwithapoliticaloffenceorasanoffenceinspiredbypoliticalmotives.
Accordingly,arequestforextraditionorformutuallegalassistancebasedonsuchanoffencemaynotberefusedonthe
solegroundthatitconcernsapoliticaloffenceoranoffenceconnectedwithapoliticaloffenceoranoffenceinspiredby
politicalmotives.

Article12

NothinginthisConventionshallbeinterpretedasimposinganobligationtoextraditeortoaffordmutuallegal
assistance,iftherequestedStatePartyhassubstantialgroundsforbelievingthattherequestforextraditionforoffences
setforthinarticle2orformutuallegalassistancewithrespecttosuchoffenceshasbeenmadeforthepurposeof
prosecutingorpunishingapersononaccountofthatperson'srace,religion,nationality,ethnicoriginorpoliticalopinion
orthatcompliancewiththerequestwouldcauseprejudicetothatperson'spositionforanyofthesereasons.

Article13

1.ApersonwhoisbeingdetainedorisservingasentenceintheterritoryofoneStatePartywhosepresencein
anotherStatePartyisrequestedforpurposesoftestimony,identificationorotherwiseprovidingassistancein
obtainingevidencefortheinvestigationorprosecutionofoffencesunderthisConventionmaybetransferredifthe
followingconditionsaremet:
a.Thepersonfreelygiveshisorherinformedconsentand
b.ThecompetentauthoritiesofbothStatesagree,subjecttosuchconditionsasthoseStatesmaydeem
appropriate.
2.Forthepurposesofthepresentarticle:
a.TheStatetowhichthepersonistransferredshallhavetheauthorityandobligationtokeeptheperson
transferredincustody,unlessotherwiserequestedorauthorizedbytheStatefromwhichthepersonwas
transferred
b.TheStatetowhichthepersonistransferredshallwithoutdelayimplementitsobligationtoreturntheperson
tothecustodyoftheStatefromwhichthepersonwastransferredasagreedbeforehand,orasotherwise
agreed,bythecompetentauthoritiesofbothStates
c.TheStatetowhichthepersonistransferredshallnotrequiretheStatefromwhichthepersonwastransferred
toinitiateextraditionproceedingsforthereturnoftheperson
 d.ThepersontransferredshallreceivecreditforserviceofthesentencebeingservedintheStatefromwhich
hewastransferredfortimespentinthecustodyoftheStatetowhichhewastransferred.
3.UnlesstheStatePartyfromwhichapersonistobetransferredinaccordancewiththepresentarticlesoagrees,
thatperson,whateverhisorhernationality,shallnotbeprosecutedordetainedorsubjectedtoanyotherrestriction
ofhisorherpersonallibertyintheterritoryoftheStatetowhichthatpersonistransferredinrespectofactsor
convictionsanteriortohisorherdeparturefromtheterritoryoftheStatefromwhichsuchpersonwastransferred.

Article14

Anypersonwhoistakenintocustodyorregardingwhomanyothermeasuresaretakenorproceedingsarecarriedout
pursuanttothisConventionshallbeguaranteedfairtreatment,includingenjoymentofallrightsandguaranteesin
conformitywiththelawoftheStateintheterritoryofwhichthatpersonispresentandapplicableprovisionsof
internationallaw,includinginternationallawofhumanrights.

Article15

StatesPartiesshallcooperateinthepreventionoftheoffencessetforthinarticle2,particularly:

a.Bytakingallpracticablemeasures,including,ifnecessary,adaptingtheirdomesticlegislation,topreventand
counterpreparationsintheirrespectiveterritoriesforthecommissionofthoseoffenceswithinoroutsidetheir
territories,includingmeasurestoprohibitintheirterritoriesillegalactivitiesofpersons,groupsandorganizations
thatencourage,instigate,organize,knowinglyfinanceorengageintheperpetrationofoffencesassetforthin
article2
b.Byexchangingaccurateandverifiedinformationinaccordancewiththeirnationallaw,andcoordinating
administrativeandothermeasurestakenasappropriatetopreventthecommissionofoffencesassetforthinarticle
2
c.Whereappropriate,throughresearchanddevelopmentregardingmethodsofdetectionofexplosivesandother
harmfulsubstancesthatcancausedeathorbodilyinjury,consultationsonthedevelopmentofstandardsfor
markingexplosivesinordertoidentifytheirorigininpostblastinvestigations,exchangeofinformationon
preventivemeasures,cooperationandtransferoftechnology,equipmentandrelatedmaterials.

Article16

TheStatePartywheretheallegedoffenderisprosecutedshall,inaccordancewithitsdomesticlaworapplicable
procedures,communicatethefinaloutcomeoftheproceedingstotheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations,whoshall
transmittheinformationtotheotherStatesParties.

Article17

TheStatesPartiesshallcarryouttheirobligationsunderthisConventioninamannerconsistentwiththeprinciplesof
sovereignequalityandterritorialintegrityofStatesandthatofnoninterventioninthedomesticaffairsofotherStates.

Article18

NothinginthisConventionentitlesaStatePartytoundertakeintheterritoryofanotherStatePartytheexerciseof
jurisdictionandperformanceoffunctionswhichareexclusivelyreservedfortheauthoritiesofthatotherStatePartyby
itsdomesticlaw.

Article19

1.NothinginthisConventionshallaffectotherrights,obligationsandresponsibilitiesofStatesandindividualsunder
internationallaw,inparticularthepurposesandprinciplesoftheCharteroftheUnitedNationsandinternational
humanitarianlaw.
2.Theactivitiesofarmedforcesduringanarmedconflict,asthosetermsareunderstoodunderinternational
humanitarianlaw,whicharegovernedbythatlaw,arenotgovernedbythisConvention,andtheactivities
undertakenbymilitaryforcesofaStateintheexerciseoftheirofficialduties,inasmuchastheyaregovernedby
otherrulesofinternationallaw,arenotgovernedbythisConvention.

Article20

1.AnydisputebetweentwoormoreStatesPartiesconcerningtheinterpretationorapplicationofthisConvention
whichcannotbesettledthroughnegotiationwithinareasonabletimeshall,attherequestofoneofthem,be
submittedtoarbitration.If,withinsixmonthsfromthedateoftherequestforarbitration,thepartiesareunableto
 agreeontheorganizationofthearbitration,anyoneofthosepartiesmayreferthedisputetotheInternational
CourtofJustice,byapplication,inconformitywiththeStatuteoftheCourt.
2.EachStatemayatthetimeofsignature,ratification,acceptanceorapprovalofthisConventionoraccession
theretodeclarethatitdoesnotconsideritselfboundbyparagraph1ofthepresentarticle.TheotherStatesParties
shallnotbeboundbyparagraph1withrespecttoanyStatePartywhichhasmadesuchareservation.
3.AnyStatewhichhasmadeareservationinaccordancewithparagraph2ofthepresentarticlemayatanytime
withdrawthatreservationbynotificationtotheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations.

Article21

1.ThisConventionshallbeopenforsignaturebyallStatesfrom12January1998until31December1999atUnited
NationsHeadquartersinNewYork.
2.ThisConventionissubjecttoratification,acceptanceorapproval.Theinstrumentsofratification,acceptanceor
approvalshallbedepositedwiththeSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations.
3.ThisConventionshallbeopentoaccessionbyanyState.Theinstrumentsofaccessionshallbedepositedwiththe
SecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations.

Article22

1.ThisConventionshallenterintoforceonthethirtiethdayfollowingthedateofthedepositofthetwentysecond
instrumentofratification,acceptance,approvaloraccessionwiththeSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations.
2.ForeachStateratifying,accepting,approvingoraccedingtotheConventionafterthedepositofthetwentysecond
instrumentofratification,acceptance,approvaloraccession,theConventionshallenterintoforceonthethirtieth
dayafterdepositbysuchStateofitsinstrumentofratification,acceptance,approvaloraccession.

Article23

1.AnyStatePartymaydenouncethisConventionbywrittennotificationtotheSecretaryGeneraloftheUnited
Nations.
2.DenunciationshalltakeeffectoneyearfollowingthedateonwhichnotificationisreceivedbytheSecretary
GeneraloftheUnitedNations.

Article24

TheoriginalofthisConvention,ofwhichtheArabic,Chinese,English,French,RussianandSpanishtextsareequally
authentic,shallbedepositedwiththeSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNations,whoshallsendcertifiedcopiesthereofto
allStates.

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