GREECE

CEDAW

OBJECTIONS MADE TO OTHER STATES PARTIES RESERVATIONS AND DECLARATIONS

(Ed. note: for the text targeted by the following objections, see the Reservations and Declarations of the State which is the subject of the objection)

13 June 2003

With regard to reservations made by Bahrain upon accession:

"The Government of the Hellenic Republic has examined the reservations made by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain upon accession to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic considers that the reservations with respect to articles 2 and 16, which contain a reference to the provisions of the Islamic Sharia are of unlimited scope and, therefore, incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic recalls that, according to article 28 (para 2) of the Convention, a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention shall not be permitted.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic therefore objects to the aforementioned reservations made by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. This shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention in its entirety between Bahrain and Greece."

*****

4 March 2004

With regard to the reservations made by the Syrian Arab Republic upon accession:

"The Government of the Hellenic Republic has examined the reservations made by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic upon accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic is of the view that the reservation with respect to article 2, which is a core provision of the Convention, is of a general character and is, therefore, contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention.

It also considers that the reservation regarding article 16, paragraph 2 which contains a reference to the provisions of the Islamic Shariah is of unlimited scope and is, similarly, incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic recalls that according to article 28 paragraph 2 of the Convention, a reservation which is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention shall not be permitted.

Consequently, the Government of the Hellenic Republic objects to the aforementioned reservations made by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. This shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between Syria and Greece."

*****

4 October 2005

With regard to the reservations made by the United Arab Emirates upon accession:

"The Government of the Hellenic Republic have examined the reservations made by the Government of the United Arab Emirates upon accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (New York, 18 December 1979).

The Government of the Hellenic Republic consider that the reservations in respect of Articles 2 (f), which is a core provision of the above Convention, 15 paragraph 2 and 16, all containing a reference to the provisions of the Islamic Shariah, are of unlimited scope and, therefore, incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic recall that, according to Article 28 paragraph 2 of the Convention, a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention shall not be permitted.

Consequently, the Government of the Hellenic Republic object to the aforementioned reservations made by the Government of the United Arab Emirates. This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between Greece and the United Arab Emirates."

*****

29 January 2007

With regard to the reservations made by Oman upon accession:

"The Government of the Hellenic Republic have examined the reservations formulated by the Sultanate of Oman upon accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 18 December 1979.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic consider that the reservation to "all provisions of the Convention not in accordance with the provisions of the Islamic sharia and legislation in force in the Sultanate of Oman" is of unlimited scope and undefined character, while, furthermore, subjects the application of the Convention to the domestic law of the Sultanate of Oman. It is, therefore, incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

Moreover, the Government of the Hellenic Republic consider that the reservations to articles 9 par. 2, 15 par. 4 and 16 do not specify the extent of the derogation therefrom and, therefore, are incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic recall that, according to Article 28 paragraph 2 of the Convention, a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention shall not be permitted.

For these reasons, the Government of the Hellenic Republic object to the abovementioned reservations formulated by the Sultanate of Oman.

This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between Greece and the Sultanate of Oman."

*****

15 June 2007

With regard to the reservations made by Brunei Darussalam upon accession:

"The Government of the Hellenic Republic consider that the reservation "regarding those provisions of the said Convention that may be contrary to the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam and to the beliefs and principles of Islam, the official religion of Brunei Darussalam" is of unlimited scope and undefined character, while furthermore, subjects the application of the Convention to the constitutional law of Brunei Darussalam and the beliefs and principles of Islam. It is, therefore, incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

Moreover, the Government of the Hellenic Republic consider that the reservation to article 9 par. 2 does not specify the extent of the derogation therefrom and, therefore, are incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention.

The Government of the Hellenic Republic recall that, according to Article 28 paragraph 2 of the Convention, a reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention shall not be permitted.

For these reasons, the Government of the Hellenic Republic object to the abovementioned reservations formulated by Brunei Darussalam.

This objection shall not preclude the entry into force of the Convention between Greece and Brunei Darussalam."