Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against transnational organized crime

Parties with reservations, declarations and objections

Party	Reservations / Declarations	Objections
Algeria	Yes	No
Argentina	Yes	No
Azerbaijan	Yes	Yes
Bahamas	Yes	No
Belarus	Yes	No
Belgium	Yes	No
Bolivia	Yes	No
Cambodia	Yes	No
China	Yes	No
Croatia	Yes	No
Cuba	Yes	No
Denmark	Yes	No
El Salvador	Yes	No
Ethiopia	Yes	No
EU (European Union)	Yes	No
Fiji	Yes	No
Finland	Yes	No
France	Yes	No
Guatemala	Yes	No
Honduras	Yes	No
Hungary	Yes	No
Laos	Yes	No
Latvia	Yes	No
Liechtenstein	Yes	No
Lithuania	Yes	No
Malawi	Yes	No
North Macedonia	Yes	No
Norway	Yes	No
Panama	Yes	No
Poland	Yes	No
Romania	Yes	No
Saudi Arabia	Yes	No
Serbia	Yes	No
South Africa	Yes	No
Spain	Yes	No
Switzerland	Yes	No
Tanzania	Yes	No
Trinidad and Tobago	Yes	No
Tunisia	Yes	No
Türkiye	Yes	No
Uganda	Yes	No
Venezuela	Yes	No

Algeria

25-08-2004

The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 16, paragraph 2 of this Protocol, which provides that any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the Protocol that cannot be settled through negotiation shall, at the request of one of those States Parties, be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice.
The Government of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria considers that no dispute of such nature may be submitted to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice without the consent of all the parties to the dispute.
The ratification of this Protocol by the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria does not in any way signify recognition of Israel.
The present ratification may not be interpreted as leading to the establishment of relations of any kind with Israel.

Argentina

07-10-2002

The Argentine Republic declares that, in relation to article 2, the provisions of the Protocol shall be without prejudice to the right of the Argentine Republic to adopt, at the domestic level, stricter provisions designed to fulfil the objectives of the Protocol of preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition.

Azerbaijan

03-12-2004

The Republic of Azerbaijan declares that it will be unable to guarantee compliance with the provisions of this Protocol in its territories occupied by the Republic of Armenia until these territories are liberated from that occupation...
With regard to Article 16, paragraph 3, of the Protocol, the Republic of Azerbaijan does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of Article 16.

Objection Armenia, 26-01-2012

Given that the Republic of Azerbaijan made a declaration to the Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Republic of Armenia declares:
The Republic of Azerbaijan deliberately misrepresents the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, with respect to cause and effect of the conflict. The conflict arose due to the policy of ethnic cleansing by the Republic of Azerbaijan followed by the massive military aggression against the selfdetermined Nagorno-Karabakh Republic - with the aim to repress the free will of the Nagorno-Karabakh population. As a result, the Republic of Azerbaijan has occupied several territories of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

27-01-2005

[...] the Republic of Azerbaijan by his instruction No. 543 of 10 December 2004, designated the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan as the national body.

Bahamas

26-09-2008

In accordance with Article 16 paragraph 3, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas enters a specific reservation to the procedure established under Article 16 paragraph 2 of the Protocol on the basis that referral of a dispute concerning the application or interpretation of the provisions of the Protocol to arbitration or to the International Court of Justice must be by consent of all the parties to the dispute.

Belarus

06-10-2004

.....in accordance with article 13, paragraph 2 of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Belarus has been designated as the national authority to maintain contacts between the Republic of Belarus and other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol.

Belgium

24-09-2004

The Government of Belgium makes the following reservation concerning article 4, paragraph 2 of the Additional Protocol: the activities of armed forces during a period of armed conflict, in the sense given these terms under international humanitarian law, which are governed by this law, are not governed by the present Protocol.
Pursuant to article 13 (2) of the Additional Protocol, the Federal Ministry of Justice, Department of Legislation, Fundamental Rights and Liberties, 115 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels, is designated as the sole contact point.

Bolivia

01-09-2020

The Plurinational State of Bolivia declares the non-applicability of article 16, paragraph 2, of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which could be interpreted as contrary to the existing legal framework.

Cambodia

03-02-2006

Police Brigadier Gen. NHEAN VIBOL (Chairman)
Address: House No. 275 Preah Norodom Boulevard
Cell phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail].

China

19-12-2023

Reservation
The People’s Republic of China is not bound by article 16, paragraph 2, of the Firearms Protocol.
Declarations
1. In respect of article 2 of the Firearms Protocol, the People’s Republic of China has already enacted stricter domestic legal provisions to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition.
2. Under the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, the Government of the People’s Republic of China decides that the Firearms Protocol applies to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and to the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
3. The reservations made by the People’s Republic of China to article 16, paragraph 2, of the Firearms Protocol and the declarations made regarding article 2 of the Firearms Protocol shall also be applied to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and to the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Croatia

07-02-2005

In accordance with Article 13, paragraph 2 of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the body of contact, to act as liaison with other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, shall be the Ministry of the Interior.

Cuba

09-02-2007

In accordance with the provisions of article 16, paragraph 3, of the Protocol, [Cuba] declares that it does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of said article, which refers to the settlement of disputes between two or more States Parties.

Denmark

04-02-2015

Territorial exclusion with regard to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

El Salvador

15-08-2002

The Government of the Republic of El Salvador does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of article 16, inasmuch as it does not recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

18-03-2004

With regard to article 16, paragraph 3, of the Protocol, the Government of the Republic of El Salvador does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2 of this article, inasmuch as it does not recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.
With regard to article 13, paragraph 2, of this Protocol and without prejudice to the designation made in accordance with article 18, paragraph 13, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Government of the Republic of El Salvador designates the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of El Salvador as the central point of contact to provide liaison with other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol.
Article 3 a)
The Republic of El Salvador, in accordance with its domestic law (Act on Control and Monitoring of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Similar Articles and their Regulation) interprets the following as collector's weapons: weapons of war which have been deactivated; and antique and obsolete weapons and those of historical value which shall not be utilized, subject to technical review by the Ministry of National Defence which shall so certify them; weapons of war: pistols, rifles and carbines with automatic firing action as well as those classified as light and heavy, mines, grenades and military explosives; antique weapons are those which are no longer manufactured and may be registered only for purposes of collection, in accordance with technical certification and prior authorization of the Ministry of National Defence; deactivated weapons: any weapon of war that, for purposes of collection, has been deactivated for its original use, with prior authorization by the Ministry of National Defence; firearm: weapons that, by the use of rimfire or centerfire percussion cartridges, expel projectiles through a smooth or rifled barrel, by means of the expansion of gases produced by the combustion of explosive solids or powder or other flammable material contained in the cartridge; furthermore, for identification purposes, pistols and revolvers shall be marked on the weapon and for rifles, carbines and shotguns, the serial number shall appear on the case of the mechanism; explosives are the combination of various substances and mixtures that produce an exothermic reaction when ignited. Any substance or material which, when struck, subjected to friction, heated or subjected to the effect of a small detonation or a chemical reaction, reacts violently, producing gases at high temperature and pressure that impact anything found in their vicinity; articles similar to firearms or ammunition: any articles or objects made by hand that have similar characteristics or can be used for the same purposes.

Ethiopia

22-06-2012

Ethiopia does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice which is provided under Article 16(2) of the said Protocol.

EU (European Union)

21-03-2014

Article 17 (3) of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition provides that the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of a regional economic integration organisation is to contain a declaration specifying the matters governed by the Protocol in respect of which competence has been transferred to the organisation by its Member States which are Parties to the Protocol.
The European Union has exclusive competence over commercial policy. It also has shared competence over rules for the achievement of the internal market, and exclusive competence as regards provisions of the agreement which may affect or alter the scope of common rules adopted by the Union. The Union has adopted rules as regards in particular the fight against illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, regulating standards and procedures on commercial policy of the Member States concerning in particular record keeping, marking of firearms, deactivation of firearms, requirements for exports, import and transit licensing authorisation systems, strengthening of controls at export points and brokering activities.
The Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition shall apply, with regard to the competences transferred to the Union, to the territories in which the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union is applied and under the conditions laid down in that Treaty.
The scope and the exercise of such Union competence are, by their nature, subject to continuous development, and the Union will complete or amend this declaration, if necessary, in accordance with Article 17(3) of the Protocol.

Fiji

19-09-2017

Fiji reserves waiving its sovereign rights and declares that it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 16.

Finland

17-05-2011

Pursuant to Article 13 (2) of the Protocol, the Republic of Finland declares that a national body to act as liaison between it and other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol is the National Police Board.

France

28-02-2019

With regard to the definition of “antique firearms”, provided for in article 3 (a) of the Protocol, the French Republic will apply the definition of historical and collectible firearms as set out in its domestic law, namely models of firearms manufactured prior to 1st January 1990 and the limited list of firearms manufactured after 1st January 1990 but that are of cultural, scientific or historical interest.
With regard to article 8, paragraph 1, of the Protocol, the French Republic will, for the purpose of identifying and tracing each firearm, add a proof mark to firearms manufactured in or imported into the national territory, in accordance with the Convention for the reciprocal recognition of proof marks on small arms of 1st July 1969. The proof mark allows for the identification of the national proof house that added it and is recognized by Council Directive 91/477/EEC as amended by Directive 2017/853 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 in its article 4 as an alternative to marking for the purpose of tracing firearms.

Guatemala

01-04-2004

The Republic of Guatemala shall provide the information referred to in article 12 of the Protocol in the case of information disclosed by individuals on a confidential basis only in the context of a request for judicial assistance.

Honduras

09-07-2008

In this connection, I wish to inform you that the Ministry of National Defence has designated
Director of Planning, Programmes and Military Policy (C-5) Infantry Colonel DEM [Dîplomado de
Estado Mayor] Leonardo Muñoz Ramirez as the institutional liaison to the Secretary-General of the
United Nations in matters related to the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in
Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition.

Hungary

29-08-2011

... the following authority has been designated as the point of contact to act as liaison between the Republic of Hungary and other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol.
National Police Headquarters - International Law Enforcement Cooperation Centre (NEBEK)
Address: H-1139 Budapest, Teve u. 4-6
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Laos

26-09-2003

In accordance with paragraph 3, Article 16 of the Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, the Lao People's Democratic Republic does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2, Article 16 of the present Protocol. The Lao People's Democratic Republic declares that to refer a dispute relating to interpretation and application of the present Protocol to arbitration or the International Court of Justice, the agreement of all parties concerned in the dispute is necessary.

Latvia

28-07-2004

In accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 13 of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Republic of Latvia declares that the competent national authority to provide liaison with other state parties on matters relating to said protocol is:
Ministry of Interior
Raina Boulevard 6
Riga, LV-1505
Latvia
Phone: + 371 7219263
Fax: + 371 7271005
E-mail: kanceleja@iem.gov.lv

31-08-2010

Competent authority in accordance with Article 13, paragraph 2:
Ministry of Interior
Address:
Cierkurkalna 1st line, k-2
Riga, LV-1026
Latvia
Phone: + 371 67219263
Fax: + 371 67829686
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.iem.gov.lv

Liechtenstein

10-12-2013

Reservation with regard to article 10 (2) b):
In the absence of objection to the transit within 30 days from the date of the written request of non-objection to transit, the requested transit State shall be deemed not to have objected and to have tacitly agreed to the transit.
Reservation with regard to article 10 (3):
According to the Customs Union Treaty concluded between Liechtenstein and Switzerland on 29 March 1923, Liechtenstein became part of the Swiss Customs Territory. According to article 4 of that treaty, Swiss customs legislation - as well as any other Swiss Federal legislation whose application is necessary for the proper functioning of the Customs Union - is applicable in Liechtenstein.
Information on transit States shall not be systematically mentioned in the authorizations for export from and import into Liechtenstein/Swiss customs territory, or in the corresponding accompanying documentation, in accordance with Swiss law applicable in Liechtenstein on the basis of the Customs Union Treaty, which does not always require such mention.

10-12-2013

Article 13:
National Police
Crime Investigation Division
Gewerbeweg 4
P.O. Box 684
9490 Vaduz
Principality of Liechtenstein
Phone: [phone] (24 hours)
Fax: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Languages: German, English
Office hours: 08:30 - 16:30
GMT: +1
Request by Interpol: yes

Lithuania

24-02-2005

... in accordance with Article 16 (3) of the Protocol, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania declares that the Republic of Lithuania does not consider itself bound by paragraph 2, Article 16 of the Protocol providing the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation and application of this Protocol at the International Court of Justice.
... in accordance with Article 13 (2) of the Protocol, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania declares that the Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania is designated as the point of contact to act as liaison between it and other States Parties on matters relating to this Protocol.

Malawi

17-03-2005

The Government of the Republic of Malawi in its efforts to curb and stamp out offences related to trafficking in persons especially women and children has embarked upon various social and legal reforms to incorporate obligations emanating from this Protocol (Article 17 (4);
Further, expressly declares its acceptance of Article 16 (2) on settlement of disputes concerning interpretation and application of this Protocol in consonant with Article 16 (3);

17-03-2005

The Competent Authority charged with the responsibility of coordinating and the rendering of mutual legal assistance is:
The Principal Secretary
Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security
Private Bag 331, Lilongwe 3, MALAWI
Fax: [phone] Tel: [phone]
The Official Language of communication is English.

North Macedonia

14-09-2007

Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia
Department for Organized Crime
Address: Dimce Mircev bb - 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Phone: + 389 (0) 23142782
Fax: + 389 (0) 23142872
E-mail: [e-mail].

Norway

23-09-2003

The agency that may act pursuant to Article 13 of the Firearms Protocol as liaison for Norway with regard to the exchange of information between States Parties in connection with the efforts to combat violations of the Firearms Protocol is the National Criminal Investigation Service.

Panama

13-12-2004

... in accordance with article 13 (2) of the aforementioned Protocol, the Republic of Panama has designated the Ministry of Government and Justice as the national body or single point of contact to act as liaison between it and other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol.

Poland

04-04-2005

With regard to article 13, paragraph 2 of this Protocol, without prejudice to article 18, paragraph 13 of the Convention, the Government of the Republic of Poland designates the Chief Commander of the Police as the national body to act as a liaison between the Republic of Poland and other States Parties on matters relating to this Protocol.

Romania

16-04-2004

In accordance with Article 13 paragraph 2 of the Protocol, Romania declares that the National Agency for Export Control is the national point of contact designated to liaise with other States Parties in matters relating to the said Protocol.

Saudi Arabia

11-03-2008

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not consider itself obligated under paragraph 2 of Article 16 of this Protocol, concerning the settlement of disputes.

Serbia

20-04-2009

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the OSCE and other International Organizations in Vienna presents its compliments to the Secretary General of the United Nations in his capacity of the depositary of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and has the honour to notify of the Serbian competent authorities for the implementation of the Article 13 (Cooperation) of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the UNTOC.
The requests shall be addressed to:
Name of Authority: Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia
Ministry of Interior, 2, Bulevar Mihaila
Full postal address: Pupina, 11000 Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Name of Service to be contacted:
Service for Combating Organized Crime
Name of Person to be contacted :
Mr. Svetislav Djurovic, Head of Service for
Combating Organized Crime
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office hours: from 08:30 to 16:30
Time zone: GMT 1
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish.

South Africa

20-02-2004

And whereas pending a decision by the Government of the Republic of South Africa on the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, the Government of the Republic does not consider itself bound by the terms of Article 16 (2) of the Protocol which provided for the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in differences arising out of the interpretation or application of the Protocol. The Republic will adhere to the position that, for the submission of a particular dispute for settlement by the International Court, the consent of all the parties to the dispute is required in every individual case.

And whereas the Secretary-General is hereby notified, in accordance with Article 13 (2) of the Protocol, that the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service has been designated as the single point of contact to liaise with other States Parties on matters relating to the Protocol as required by Article 13 (2) of said Protocol.

Spain

09-02-2007

1. Spain is not opposed to the application of the principle of self-determination in the process of decolonization but wishes to emphasize that the application of the principle of self-determination must be compatible with the principle of the territorial integrity of States. This is particularly relevant in those cases in which a sovereignty dispute exists concerning the territory in question, as is the case with Gibraltar.

2. This position taken by Spain is based on the doctrine established by the United Nations on this point, to be found in General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV), 2353 (XXII), 2429 (XXIII) and 2625 (XXV), among others.

19-03-2007

Ministerio del Interior
Dirección General de la Policía y la Guardia Civil
Intervención Central de Armas y Explosivos
Calle Batalla del Salado, 32
28045 Madrid
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
dg-icae-armas@guardiacivil.org

04-06-2007

Ministerio del Interior
Dirección General de la Policía y de la Guardia Civil
Dirección Adjunta Operativa
Intervención Central de Armas y Explosivos
c/ Batalla del Salado, 32
28045 Madrid (España)
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

email: dg-icae@guardiacivil.org. / dg-icae-armas@guardia civil.org

05-03-2008

1. Gibraltar is a Non-Self-Governing Territory for whose international relations the Government of the United Kingdom is responsible and which is subject to a process of decolonization in accordance with the relevant decisions and resolutions of the General Assembly.

2. The Gibraltarian authorities are local in character, and exercise competences exclusively over internal affairs that originate in and are based on the powers allocated to and conferred on them by the United Kingdom, in accordance with its domestic legislation and in its capacity as the sovereign State upon which depends the said Non-Self-Governing Territory.

3. Consequently, any involvement by the Gibraltarian authorities in the implementation of this Convention shall be understood to take place exclusively within the framework of the internal affairs of Gibraltar and shall not be considered to affect in any way the content of the two preceding paragraphs.

Switzerland

29-11-2012

Reservation with regard to article 10 (2) b)
In the absence of objection to the transit within 30 days from the date of the written request of non-objection to transit, the requested transit State shall be deemed not to have objected and to have tacitly agreed to the transit.
Reservation with regard to article 10 (3)
Information on transit States shall not be systematically mentioned in the authorizations for export from and import into Swiss territory, or in the corresponding accompanying documentation, in accordance with Swiss law, which does not always require such mention.
Notification with regard to article 13, paragraph 2
The designated authority is the Office fédéral de la police, Office central des armes,
Nussbaumstrasse 29, CH-3003 Berne, téléphone [phone], télécopie [phone], courriel [e-mail].

Tanzania

09-06-2006

Point of Contact:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
P.O. Box 9000
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Trinidad and Tobago

24-01-2013

(Article 13 on Cooperation):
Assistant Superintendent of Police Wendy Wilkinson
Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau
Corner Park and Richmond Streets
Port of Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
Telephone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
Electronic mail: [e-mail]

Tunisia

10-07-2002

... With a reservation to article 16 (2).

10-04-2008

The Republic of Tunisia, upon ratification of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 31 May 2001, and signed by the Republic of Tunisia on 10 July 2002, declares that it does not consider itself bound by article 16 (2) of the said Protocol.

Türkiye

03-06-2005

National Body: General Command of Gendarmarie
Department of Combatting Smuggling and Organized Crime
Point of Contact: Senior Colonel Cengiz Yildirim
Head of Department Department of Combatting Smuggling and Organized Crime
General Command of Gendarmarie.

20-04-2009

.....information on the single point of contact, nominated by relevant Turkish authorities, to act as liaison between Turkey and other States Parties on matters relating to Protocol against the Illicit[e] Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, is as follows:
Mr. Ferhat KONYA
Senior Colonel
General Command of Gendarmerie
Tel: [phone]
Fax[e]: + 90 312 231 29 69
E-Mail: [e-mail].

Uganda

21-04-2005

...The National Focal Point for the Protocol Against Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition is as follows:
The Coordinator
Uganda National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons
P.O.Box 7191
KAMPALA
Telephone No: 256-41-252091
Cell No: 256-71-667720
Fax No: 256-41-252093

Venezuela

10-06-2013

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in accordance with the provisions of article 16 (3) of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, formulates an express reservation with respect to the provisions of article 16 (2). Consequently, it does not consider itself bound by the referral of a dispute to arbitration as a means of settlement of disputes, nor does it recognize the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.