6. Protocollo addizionale della Convenzione delle Nazioni Unite contro la criminalità transnazionale organizzata per combattere il traffico illecito di migranti via terra, via mare e via aria (Palermo, 12 dicembre 2000), reso esecutivo con legge 16 marzo 2006, n. 146

Legge 16 marzo 2006, n. 146

La Camera dei deputati ed il Senato della Repubblica hanno approvato;

IL PRESIDENTE DELLA REPUBBLICA

PROMULGA

la seguente legge:

Articolo 1

Autorizzazione alla ratifica

1. Il Presidente della Repubblica è autorizzato a ratificare la Convenzione ed i Protocolli delle Nazioni Unite contro il crimine organizzato transnazionale, adottati dall’Assemblea generale il 15 novembre 2000 ed il 31 maggio 2001.

Articolo 2

Ordine di esecuzione

1. Piena ed intera esecuzione è data alla Convenzione ed ai Protocolli di cui all’articolo 1, di seguito denominati rispettivamente: «Convenzione» e «Protocolli», a decorrere dalla data della loro rispettiva entrata in vigore.

Articolo 3

Definizione di reato transnazionale

1. Ai fini della presente legge si considera reato transnazionale il reato punito con la pena della reclusione non inferiore nel massimo a quattro anni, qualora sia coinvolto un gruppo criminale organizzato, nonché:

(a) sia commesso in più di uno Stato;

(b) ovvero sia commesso in uno Stato, ma una parte sostanziale della sua preparazione, pianificazione, direzione o controllo avvenga in un altro Stato;

(c) ovvero sia commesso in uno Stato, ma in esso sia implicato un gruppo criminale organizzato impegnato in attività criminali in più di uno Stato;

(d) ovvero sia commesso in uno Stato ma abbia effetti sostanziali in un altro Stato.

Articolo 4

Circostanza aggravante

1. Per i reati puniti con la pena della reclusione non inferiore nel massimo a quattro anni nella commissione dei quali abbia dato il suo contributo un gruppo criminale organizzato impegnato in attività criminali in più di uno Stato la pena è aumentata da un terzo alla metà.

2. Si applica altresì il comma 2 dell’articolo 7 del decreto-legge 13 maggio 1991, n. 152, convertito, con modificazioni, dalla legge 12 luglio 1991, n. 203, e successive modificazioni.

Articolo 5

Autorità centrale ed autorità di riferimento per le attività previste dalla Convenzione e dai Protocolli

1. L’autorità centrale ai sensi dell’articolo 18, paragrafo 13, della Convenzione, è il Ministro della

giustizia.

2. Con decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei ministri, adottato entro centoventi giorni dalla data di entrata in vigore della presente legge, sono individuate le autorità di riferimento per le attività previste dalla Convenzione e dai Protocolli.

Articolo 6

Informazione al Parlamento sulla cooperazione in materia di estradizione e di assistenza giudiziaria

1. Con cadenza annuale il Ministro della giustizia informa le Camere sullo stato di attuazione delle previsioni dell’articolo 16 della Convenzione, in merito alla collaborazione tra Stati Parte in materia di estradizione.

2. Con cadenza annuale il Ministro della giustizia informa le Camere sullo stato di attuazione delle previsioni dell’articolo 18 della Convenzione, in merito alla collaborazione tra Stati Parte in materia di assistenza giudiziaria.

Articolo 7

Trasferimento dei procedimenti penali

1. Il trasferimento dei procedimenti penali previsto dall’articolo 21 della Convenzione avviene esclusivamente nelle forme e nei limiti degli Accordi internazionali. Tali Accordi sono ratificati previa autorizzazione data con legge.

2. Con cadenza annuale il Ministro della giustizia informa le Camere sullo stato di attuazione delle previsioni dell’articolo 21 della Convenzione, in merito al quadro complessivo degli Accordi di trasferimento raggiunti con gli altri Stati Parte, al numero dei procedimenti penali effettivamente trasferiti e ad eventuali problemi applicativi.

Articolo 8

Informazione al Parlamento sulla cooperazione di polizia

1. Con cadenza annuale il Ministro dell’interno informa le Camere sullo stato di attuazione delle previsioni dell’articolo 27 della Convenzione, con specifico riferimento alle azioni intraprese sulla base di tale disposizione ed al quadro delle intese o accordi conclusi ai sensi del paragrafo 2 del medesimo articolo.

Articolo 9

Operazioni sotto copertura

1. Fermo quanto disposto dall’articolo 51 del codice penale, non sono punibili:

(a) gli ufficiali di polizia giudiziaria della Polizia di Stato, dell’Arma dei carabinieri e del Corpo della guardia di finanza, appartenenti alle strutture specializzate o alla Direzione investigativa antimafia, nei limiti delle proprie competenze, i quali, nel corso di specifiche operazioni di polizia e, comunque, al solo fine di acquisire elementi di prova in ordine ai delitti previsti dagli articoli 648-bis e 648-ter nonché nel libro II, titolo XII, capo III, sezione I, del codice penale, ai delitti concernenti armi, munizioni, esplosivi, ai delitti previsti dall’articolo 12, commi 3, 3-bis e 3-ter, del testo unico delle disposizioni concernenti la disciplina dell’immigrazione e norme sulla condizione dello straniero, di cui al decreto legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286, nonché dall’articolo 3 della legge 20 febbraio 1958, n. 75, anche per interposta persona, danno rifugio o comunque prestano assistenza agli associati, acquistano, ricevono, sostituiscono od occultano denaro, armi, documenti, stupefacenti, beni ovvero cose che sono oggetto, prodotto, profitto o mezzo per commettere il reato o altrimenti ostacolano l’individuazione della loro provenienza o ne consentono l’impiego;

(b) gli ufficiali di polizia giudiziaria appartenenti agli organismi investigativi della Polizia di Stato e dell’Arma dei carabinieri specializzati nell’attività di contrasto al terrorismo e all’eversione e del Corpo della guardia di finanza competenti nelle attività di contrasto al finanziamento del terrorismo, i quali, nel corso di specifiche operazioni di polizia e, comunque, al solo fine di acquisire elementi di prova in ordine ai delitti commessi con finalità di terrorismo, anche per interposta persona, compiono le attività di cui alla lettera a).

2. Negli stessi casi previsti dal comma 1, gli ufficiali e gli agenti di polizia giudiziaria possono utilizzare documenti, identità o indicazioni di copertura anche per attivare o entrare in contatto con soggetti e siti nelle reti di comunicazione, informandone il pubblico ministero al più presto e comunque entro le quarantotto ore dall’inizio delle attività.

3. L’esecuzione delle operazioni di cui ai commi 1 e 2 è disposta, secondo l’appartenenza del personale di polizia giudiziaria, dagli organi di vertice ovvero, per loro delega, dai rispettivi responsabili di livello almeno provinciale, d’intesa con la Direzione centrale dell’immigrazione e della polizia delle frontiere per i delitti previsti dall’articolo 12, commi 3, 3-bis e 3-ter, del testo unico di cui al decreto legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286.

4. L’organo che dispone l’esecuzione delle operazioni di cui ai commi 1 e 2 deve dare preventiva comunicazione al pubblico ministero competente per le indagini, indicando, se necessario o se richiesto, anche il nominativo dell’ufficiale di polizia giudiziaria responsabile dell’operazione, nonché il nominativo degli eventuali ausiliari impiegati. Il pubblico ministero deve comunque essere informato senza ritardo, a cura del medesimo organo, nel corso della operazione delle modalità e dei soggetti che vi partecipano, nonché dei risultati della stessa.

5. Per l’esecuzione delle operazioni di cui ai commi 1 e 2, gli ufficiali di polizia giudiziaria possono avvalersi di ausiliari ai quali si estende la causa di non punibilità prevista per i medesimi casi. Per l’esecuzione delle operazioni può essere autorizzata l’utilizzazione temporanea di beni mobili ed immobili, di documenti di copertura, l’attivazione di siti nelle reti, la realizzazione e la gestione di aree di comunicazione o scambio su reti o sistemi informatici, secondo le modalità stabilite con decreto del Ministro dell’interno, di concerto con il Ministro della giustizia e con gli altri Ministri interessati. Con il medesimo decreto sono stabilite altresì le forme e le modalità per il coordinamento, anche in ambito internazionale, a fini informativi e operativi tra gli organismi investigativi.

6. Quando è necessario per acquisire rilevanti elementi probatori ovvero per l’individuazione o la cattura dei responsabili dei delitti previsti dal comma 1 nonché di quelli previsti dagli articoli 629 e 644 del codice penale, gli ufficiali di polizia giudiziaria nell’ambito delle rispettive attribuzioni possono omettere o ritardare gli atti di propria competenza, dandone immediato avviso, anche oralmente, al pubblico ministero e provvedono a trasmettere allo stesso motivato rapporto entro le successive quarantotto ore.

7. Per gli stessi motivi di cui al comma 6, il pubblico ministero può, con decreto motivato, ritardare l’esecuzione dei provvedimenti che applicano una misura cautelare, del fermo dell’indiziato di delitto, dell’ordine di esecuzione di pene detentive o del sequestro. Nei casi di urgenza, il ritardo dell’esecuzione dei predetti provvedimenti può essere disposto anche oralmente, ma il relativo decreto deve essere emesso entro le successive quarantotto ore. Il pubblico ministero impartisce alla polizia giudiziaria le disposizioni necessarie al controllo degli sviluppi dell’attività criminosa, comunicando i provvedimenti adottati all’autorità giudiziaria competente per il luogo in cui l’operazione deve concludersi ovvero attraverso il quale si prevede sia effettuato il transito in uscita dal territorio dello Stato ovvero in entrata nel territorio dello Stato delle cose che sono oggetto, prodotto, profitto o mezzo per commettere i delitti.

8. Le comunicazioni di cui ai commi 4 e 6 ed i provvedimenti adottati dal pubblico ministero ai sensi del comma 7 sono senza ritardo trasmessi al procuratore generale presso la corte d’appello. Per i delitti indicati all’articolo 51, comma 3-bis, del codice di procedura penale, la comunicazione è data al procuratore nazionale antimafia.

9. L’autorità giudiziaria può affidare il materiale o i beni sequestrati in custodia giudiziale, con facoltà d’uso, agli organi di polizia giudiziaria che ne facciano richiesta per l’impiego nelle attività di contrasto di cui al presente articolo.

10. Chiunque, nel corso delle operazioni di cui al presente articolo, indebitamente rivela ovvero divulga i nomi degli ufficiali o agenti di polizia giudiziaria che effettuano le operazioni stesse, è punito, salvo che il fatto costituisca più grave reato, con la reclusione da due a sei anni.

11. Sono abrogati:

(a) l’articolo 10 del decreto-legge 31 dicembre 1991, n. 419, convertito, con modificazioni, dalla legge 18 febbraio 1992, n. 172, e successive modificazioni;

(b) l’articolo 12-quater del decreto-legge 8 giugno 1992, n. 306, convertito, con modificazioni, dalla legge 7 agosto 1992, n. 356;

(c) l’articolo 12, comma 3-septies, del testo unico di cui al decreto legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286;

(d) l’articolo 14, comma 4, della legge 3 agosto 1998, n. 269;

(e) l’articolo 4 del decreto-legge 18 ottobre 2001, n. 374, convertito, con modificazioni, dalla legge 15 dicembre 2001, n. 438;

(f) l’articolo 10 della legge 11 agosto 2003, n. 228.

Articolo 10

Responsabilità amministrativa degli enti

1. In relazione alla responsabilità amministrativa degli enti per i reati previsti dall’articolo 3, si

applicano le disposizioni di cui ai commi seguenti.

2. Nel caso di commissione dei delitti previsti dagli articoli 416 e 416-bis del codice penale, dall’articolo 291-quater del testo unico di cui al decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 23 gennaio 1973, n. 43, e dall’articolo 74 del testo unico di cui al decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 9 ottobre 1990, n. 309, si applica all’ente la sanzione amministrativa pecuniaria da quattrocento a mille quote.

3. Nei casi di condanna per uno dei delitti indicati nel comma 2, si applicano all’ente le sanzioni interdittive previste dall’articolo 9, comma 2, del decreto legislativo 8 giugno 2001, n. 231, per una durata non inferiore ad un anno.

4. Se l’ente o una sua unità organizzativa viene stabilmente utilizzato allo scopo unico o prevalente di consentire o agevolare la commissione dei reati indicati nel comma 2, si applica all’ente la sanzione amministrativa dell’interdizione definitiva dall’esercizio dell’attività ai sensi dell’articolo 16, comma 3, del decreto legislativo 8 giugno 2001, n. 231.

5. Nel caso di reati concernenti il riciclaggio, per i delitti di cui agli articoli 648-bis e 648-ter del codice penale, si applica all’ente la sanzione amministrativa pecuniaria da duecento a ottocento quote.

6. Nei casi di condanna per i reati di cui al comma 5 del presente articolo si applicano all’ente le sanzioni interdittive previste dall’articolo 9, comma 2, del decreto legislativo 8 giugno 2001, n. 231, per una durata non superiore a due anni.

7. Nel caso di reati concernenti il traffico di migranti, per i delitti di cui all’articolo 12, commi 3, 3-bis, 3-ter e 5, del testo unico di cui al decreto legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286, e successive modificazioni, si applica all’ente la sanzione amministrativa pecuniaria da duecento a mille quote.

8. Nei casi di condanna per i reati di cui al comma 7 del presente articolo si applicano all’ente le sanzioni interdittive previste dall’articolo 9, comma 2, del decreto legislativo 8 giugno 2001, n. 231, per una durata non superiore a due anni.

9. Nel caso di reati concernenti intralcio alla giustizia, per i delitti di cui agli articoli 377-bis e 378 del codice penale, si applica all’ente la sanzione amministrativa pecuniaria fino a cinquecento quote.

10. Agli illeciti amministrativi previsti dal presente articolo si applicano le disposizioni di cui al decreto legislativo 8 giugno 2001, n. 231.

Articolo 11

Ipotesi speciali di confisca obbligatoria e confisca per equivalente

1. Per i reati di cui all’articolo 3 della presente legge, qualora la confisca delle cose che costituiscono il prodotto, il profitto o il prezzo del reato non sia possibile, il giudice ordina la confisca di somme di denaro, beni od altre utilità di cui il reo ha la disponibilità, anche per interposta persona fisica o giuridica, per un valore corrispondente a tale prodotto, profitto o prezzo. In caso di usura è comunque ordinata la confisca di un importo pari al valore degli interessi o degli altri vantaggi o compensi usurari. In tali casi, il giudice, con la sentenza di condanna, determina le somme di danaro o individua i beni o le utilità assoggettati a confisca di valore corrispondente al prodotto, al profitto o al prezzo del reato.

Articolo 12

Attività di indagine a fini di confisca

1. In relazione ai reati di cui all’articolo 3 della presente legge, il pubblico ministero può compiere, nel termine e ai fini di cui all’articolo 430 del codice di procedura penale, ogni attività di indagine che si rende necessaria circa i beni, il denaro o le altre utilità soggette a confisca a norma dell’articolo 11 della presente legge e dell’articolo 12-sexies del decreto-legge 8 giugno 1992, n. 306, convertito, con modificazioni, dalla legge 7 agosto 1992, n. 356, e successive modificazioni.

Articolo 13

Attribuzione di competenze al procuratore distrettuale antimafia

1. In relazione ai reati di cui all’articolo 3 della presente legge sono attribuite anche al procuratore distrettuale antimafia le competenze attribuite al procuratore della Repubblica e al questore dall’articolo 2-bis, commi 1, 4 e 6, dall’articolo 2-ter, commi secondo, sesto e settimo, dall’articolo 3-bis, settimo comma, dall’articolo 3-quater, commi 1 e 5 e dall’articolo 10-quater, secondo comma, della legge 31 maggio 1965, n. 575.

Articolo 14

Modifica dell’articolo 377 del codice penale

1. La rubrica dell’articolo 377 del codice penale è sostituita dalla seguente: «(Intralcio alla giustizia)».

2. Dopo il secondo comma dell’articolo 377 del codice penale sono inseriti i seguenti: «Chiunque usa violenza o minaccia ai fini indicati al primo comma, soggiace, qualora il fine non sia conseguito, alle pene stabilite in ordine ai reati di cui al medesimo primo comma, diminuite in misura non eccedente un terzo.

Le pene previste ai commi primo e terzo sono aumentate se concorrono le condizioni di cui all’articolo 339».

3. All’articolo 7, primo comma, della legge 31 maggio 1965, n. 575, dopo la parola: «353» sono inserite le seguenti: «377, terzo comma,».

Articolo 15

Interventi in materia di armi da fuoco

1. Al secondo comma dell’articolo 35 del testo unico delle leggi di pubblica sicurezza, di cui al regio decreto 18 giugno 1931, n. 773, e successive modificazioni, la parola: «cinque» è sostituita dalla seguente: «dieci».

2. Al primo comma dell’articolo 11 della legge 18 aprile 1975, n. 110, dopo la parola: «matricola», sono inserite le seguenti: «, nonché l’indicazione del luogo di produzione e della sigla della Repubblica italiana o di altro Paese, nel caso di importazione dell’arma da Paese esterno all’Unione europea».

Articolo 16

Entrata in vigore

1. La presente legge entra in vigore il giorno successivo a quello della sua pubblicazione nella Gazzetta Ufficiale. La presente legge, munita del sigillo dello Stato, sarà inserita nella Raccolta ufficiale degli atti normativi della Repubblica italiana. È fatto obbligo a chiunque spetti di osservarla e di farla osservare come legge dello Stato.

Protocollo addizionale della Convenzione delle Nazioni Unite contro la criminalità transnazionale organizzata per combattere il traffico illecito di migranti via terra, via mare e via aria

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 reenter 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

l. 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.