The Saeima has adopted and the President promulgated the following laws: the European Convention on the House (room) the animal protection article 1. 13 November 1987 European Convention on the House (room) the protection of animals (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) with this law is accepted and approved.
2. article. Fulfilment of the obligations provided for in the Convention are coordinated by the Ministry of agriculture.
3. article. In accordance with article 21 of the Convention, paragraph 1 shall not apply in Latvia to its article 10, paragraph 1, "a" States ban such breeds of dogs: 1) asspalvain the Rat Terrier;
2) gludspalvain the Rat Terrier;
3) Russian hunting spaniel;
4) German bird dog asspalvain;
5) German smoothcoated bird dog;
6) German hunting Terrier;
Welsh Terrier 7).
4. article. The Convention shall enter into force on its article 18 and for the period specified in the order, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the newspaper "journal".
5. article. The law shall enter into force on the day following its promulgation. With the law put the Convention in English and its translation into Latvian language.
The Parliament adopted the law in 2010 on September 2.
The President of the Parliament instead of the President g. Many Riga 2010. on 21 September, the EUROPEAN CONVENTION FOR the PROTECTION OF pet animals 13. XI. Strasbourg, 1987 preamble the member States of the Council of Europe signatory heret, Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members;
Recognising that my moral obligation it has a respect all living creatures and bearing in mind that pet animals have a special relationship with me;
Considering the importanc of pet animals in contributing to the quality of life and their value to society consequen;
Considering the difficult to enormo-arising from the variety of animals which are the CEAS by me;
Considering the risk to which the inheren in pet animal overpopulation for hygiene, health and safety of man and of other animals;
Considering that the keeping of specimen of wild fauna as pet animals should not be encouraged;
Aware of the different conditions which govern the acquisition, keeping, breeding and disposal of commercial and non‑commercial and the trading in pet animals;
Aware that pet animals are not always kep in conditions that promote their health and well‑being;
Noting that attitud of towards pet animals vary widely, of similar background because of limited knowledge and awareness;
Considering that a basic common standard of attitude and practice which results in responsible pet ownership is not only a desirabl, but a realistic goal, have agreed as follows: Chapter I-General provision Article 1 – Definition 1 By pet animal is any animal to kep or means intended to be kep me in particular by in his household for private enjoymen and companion ship.
2 By trading in pet animals is mean all regular business compliance management tion in a quantit carried out for substantial profit which involv the change of ownership of pet animals.
3 By commercial breeding and boarding is a breeding or boarding mainly means for profit and in substantial quantit.
4 By animal sanctuary is mean to establish a non‑profi making a menu where pet animals may be kep in substantial numbers. If national legislative and/or administrative measure of the tiv's permit, such men to establish the United Nations may accept stray animals.
5 By a stray animal is mean to a pet animal which has either from home or is outside the bound of its owner's or keeper's household and is not under the control or supervision of any direct owner or keeper.
6 By competent authority means the authority designated the ISO by the member State.
Article 2 – scope and implementation 1 Each Party to take the undertak the cessary steps to give effect to the provision of this Convention in respect of: (a) pet animals kep a person or legal entity by in any household or in any establishment for trading, for commercial breeding and boarding, and in animal sanctuar;
(b) where appropriate, stray animals.
2 Nothing in this Convention shall be affec the implementation of other instruments for the protection of animals or for the conserve threatened wild species of the tion.
3 Nothing in this Convention shall be affec the liberty of the parties to a stricter measure of adop for the protection of pet animals or to apply the provision of led their categories herein of animals which have not been expressly mentioned in this instr for men.
Chapter II – Prince FA's for the keeping of pet animals article 3 – Basic principles for animal welfare 1 Nobody shall cause a pet animal unnecessary pain, suffering or distress.
2 Nobody shall (a) pet animal abandonment.
Article 4-Keep ing Any person who 1 keep a pet animal or who has agreed to look after it, shall be responsible for its health and welfare.
2 Any person who is keeping a pet animal or who is looking after it shall provide accommodation, care and attention which take account of the etholog of the cal needs of the animals in accordanc with in spec and breeds, in particular: (a) give it a sufficient and suitabl food and water;
(b) provide it with an adequat opportunities for exercise;
(c) take all reasonable measure to prevent its escape;
3 An animal shall not be kep to a pet animal if: (a) the conditions of paragraph 2 above are not met or if, in b of these spits conditions being met, the animal cannot be itself to captivity. adap
Article 5 – Any person who Breeds ing select a pet animal for breeding shall be response to Blu for having regards to the anatomical, cal and behavio of ral in the physiolog characteristics of which are likely to put at risk the health and welfare of either the police or the female parent.
Article 6 – age limit on acquisition Of pet animal shall be sold to persons under the age of sixteen without the express consent of their parents or other persons exercising parental responsibilities.
Article 7 – Training Of pet animal shall be trained in a way that is detrimental to its health and welfare, especially by forcing it to its natural capacities to 12 or strength or by employing artificial AIDS which cause injury or unnecessary pain, suffering or distress.
Article 8 – Trading, commercial breeding and boarding, animal sanctuar ies 1 Any person who, at the time of the entry into force of the Convention, is trading in or is commercially breeding or boarding pet animals or is operating an animal sanctuary shall, within an appropriate period to be determined by each Party, declare this to the competent authority.
Any person who intends to engage in any of these activities shall declare this intention to the competent authority.
2 this declaration shall stipulat: (a) the species of pet animals which are involved or to be involved;
(b) the person responsible and his knowledge;
(c) a description of the premises and equipment used or to be used.
3 the above‑mentioned activities may be carried out only: (a) if the person responsible has the knowledge and the abilities required for the activity either as a result of professional training or of sufficient experience with pet animals and (b) if the premises and the equipment used for the activity comply with the requirements set out in article 4.4 the competent authority shall determin on the basis of the declarations made under the provision of paragraph 1 whethers or not the Conde are set out in tion paragraph 3 are being complied with. If these conditions are not met, it shall recommend adequately measure and, if not cessary for the welfare of the animals, it shall be the prohibi commencemen or continuation of the activity.
5 the competent authority shall, in accordanc with national legislation, the whethers supervis or not the above‑mentioned conditions are complied with.
Article 9-Advertising, entertainment, exhibitions, competitions and similar events 1 pet animals shall not be used in advertising, entertainment, exhibitions, competitions and similar events unless: (a) the organiser has created appropriate conditions for the pet animal to be treated in accordanc with the requirements of article 4, paragraph 2, and (b) the pet animals ' health and welfare are not put at risk.
2 shall be given substance From the treatments applied to, or devices used on a pet animal for the purpose of increasing or decreasing its natural level of perfor manc: (a) during the competition or (b) at any other time when this would put at risk the health and welfare of the animal.
Article 10 – Surgical operations 1 Surgical operations for the purpose of modifying the appearance of a pet animal or for other purpose shall be of the non‑curativ to ed and, in particular prohibi: (a) the docking of the tail;
(b) the cropping of ears;
(c) devocalisation;
declawing and defanging; d
2 the prohibition of these Exception shall be permitted only if: (a) a veterinarian in non‑curativ procedure does not consider cessary either for medical or veterinary reasons for the benefit of any particular animal;
(b) to prevent reproduction.
3 (a) operations in which the animal will likely experience the ISA sever or pain shall be carried out only by a veterinarian under anaesthesi or under the his in sion superv.
(b) operations for which may be required from anaesthesi is carried out by a person competent under national legislation.
Article 11 – Killing a veterinarian or another competent 1 Only a person shall kill a pet animal except in an emergency to terminate an animal's suffering when veterinary or other the competent assistance cannot be obtained or in any other emergency quickly covered by national legislation. All killing shall be done with the minimum of physical and mental suffering appropriate to the Forum Constance circa. The method chosen, except in an emergency, shall either: (a) cause immediate loss of consciousnes and death, or (b) begins with the induction of deep general anaesthesi it be followed by a step which will ultimately and certainly cause death.
The person responsible for the killing shall make sure that the animal is dead before the carcass is disposed of.

2 the following shall be prohibited methods of killing: a drowning and others methods of suffocation if they do not produce the effects required in sub‑paragraph (b) 1;
(b) the use of any substance or drug, poisono of the dose and application of which cannot be controlled so as to give the effect mentioned in paragraph l; c unless preceded by the Electrocutions immediate induction of loss of consciousnes.
Chapter III – Supplementary measure for stray animals article 12 – Reduction of numbers When a Party consider that the number of stray animals present it with a problem, it shall take the appropriate legislative and/or administrative measure will not reduce their numbers the cessary in a way which does not cause avoidabl pain, suffering or distress.
a measure of Such shall include the requirements that: (i) if such animals with to be captured, this is done with the minimum of physical and mental suffering appropriate to the animal;
(ii) animals are the whethers captured or killed the skipper, this is done in accordanc with the principles passed down in this Convention;
(b) parties to consider: (i) providing undertak for dogs and cats to be permanently identified by some appropriate means which causes little or no enduring pain, suffering or distress, such as tattooing as well as recording the numbers in a register together with the names and addresses of their owners;
(ii) reducing the unplanned breeding of dogs and cats by promoting the neutering of these animals;
(iii) encouraging the finder of a stray dog or cat to report it to the competent authority.
Article 13 – Except tion for capture, keeping and killing Exception to the principles passed down in this Convention for the capture, the keeping and the killing of stray animals may be made only if unavoidabl in the framework of national disease control program.
Chapter IV – Information and education article 14-Information and education program of the parties to the undertak encourag development of education program of the tion and informed so as to promote awareness and knowledge of the tion and amongs organise individual is concerned with the keeping, breeding, training, trading and boarding of pet animals of the provision and the principles in this Convention. In these program mes, shall be drawn in particular attentions to the following subjects: (a) the need for training of pet animals for any commercial or competitive purpose to be carried out by persons with adequat knowledge and ability;
(b) the need to age: discour i gifts of pet animals by persons under the age of sixteen without the express consent of their parents or other persons of parental responsibilities exerc ing;
(ii) gifts of pet animals as prizes, awards or bonuses;
(iii) the unplanned breeding of pet animals;
(c) the possible negative consequences for the health and well‑being of the wild animals if they were to be acquired or introduced as pet animals;
(d) the risk of irresponsibl acquisition of pet animals leading to an increase in the number of unwanted and abandoned animals.
Chapter V – the Google Street view article 15 – Multilaterals Multilaterals consultation 1 the Parties shall, within five years from the entry into force of the Convention and every five years, the met, and in any thereaf case, whenever a majority of the represent the tiv of the parties so request, hold a consultation within the multilaterals Council of Europe examin it the application of the Convention and the advisability of revising it or extending any of its provision. These consultation shall take place at the meetings convened by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
2 Each Party shall have the right to be a representative to appoin participat in these consultation. Any member State of the Council of Europe which is not a Party to the Convention shall have the right to be represented by an observer in these consultation.
3 After each Consulta tion, the Parties shall submit to the Committee of Minister of the Council of Europe a report on the consultation and on the functioning of the Convention including, if they consider it not cessary, proposals for the amendment of articles 15 to 23 of the Convention.
4 subject to the provision of this Convention, the Parties shall draw up the rules of procedure for the consultation.
Chapter VI-Amendments Article 16 – Amendments 1 Any amendment to articles 1 to 14 proposed by a Party or the Committee of Minister shall be communicated by the Secretary General of the Council of the Europe and forwarded by him to the member States of the Council of Europe, to any Party, to any State invited to accede to the Conven tion in accordanc with the provision of article 19 2 Any amendment proposed in accordanc with the provision of the preceding paragraph shall be examined at a Consulta tion multilaterals not less than two months after the date of forwarding by the Secretary General where it may be adopted by a majority of the two‑third of the parties. The text adopted shall be forwarded to the parties.
3 twelve months after its adoption at a Consulta tion multilaterals, any amendment shall enter into force unless one of the parties has notified an objection.
Chapter VII – Final provision Article 17 signature, ratification, acceptance, approval, this Convention shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe. It is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. The instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Article 18-Entry into force 1 this Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date on which four member States of the Council of Europe have expressed their consent to be bound by the Convention in accordanc with the provision of article 17 In respect of any 2 member State which subsequently express their consent to it be bound by it , the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of the deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance of men or approval.
Article 19 – Accession of non‑member States 1 After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Minister of the Council of Europe may invite any State not a member of the Council to accede to this Convention, by a decision taken by the majority provided for in article 20 d of the Statute of the Council of Europe and by the unanimous vote of the represen tativ of the Contracting States entitled to sit on the Committee of Minister.
2 In respect of any acceding State, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of deposit of the instrument of accession of men with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
Article 20 – Territorial clause 1 Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or the Ritz it which this territ Convention shall apply.
2 Any Party may, at any later date, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend the application of this Convention to any other territory specified in the declaration. In respect of such territory the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of receipt of such declaration by the Secretary General.
3 Any declaration made under the two preceding para graphs may, in respect of any territory specified in such a tion, declare by a notification addressed to the be withdrawn the Secretary General. The withdrawals shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of receipt of such a tion by the notific Secretary General.
Article 21 – reservations 1 Any State may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, declare that it is itself of on or availa ... more reservations in respect of article 6 and article 10, paragraph 1, (a) from the other reservation sub‑paragraph. may be made.
2 Any Party which has made a reservation under the preceding paragraph may wholly or the partly withdraw it by means of a tion addressed to the notific of Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The withdrawals shall take effect on the date of receipt of such notification by the Secretary General.
3 A Party which has made a reservation in respect of a provision of this Convention may not invoke the application of that provision by any other Party; It may, however, if its reservation is partial or conditional, invoke the application of that provision in so far as it has itself accepted it – Denunci-article 22. tion 1 Any Party may at any time denounc this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
2 Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary General.
Article 23 – notifications the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council of Europe and any State which has acceded to this Convention or has been invited to do so, of: a any signature;
(b) the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;
(c) any date of entry into force of this Convention in accordanc with articles 18, 19 and 20;
(d) any other Act, notification or communication relating to this Convention.
In witness whereof the duly authorised under, being signed, theret have signed this Convention.

Done at Strasbourg, on 13 November 1987, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified cop to each Member State of the Council of Europe, and to any State invited to accede to this Convention.
 
European Convention on the House (room) the animal protection Strasbourg, 13 November 1987 in the preamble the Member States of the Council of Europe which have signed this Convention, considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve greater unity of the Member States;
Recognizing that people have a moral responsibility for all living beings, and bearing in mind that the home (rooms), animals have a special relationship with the people;
in the light of the House (room) the animal role in improving the quality of life and thus their value to the public;
in view of the difficulties posed by people holding a large diversity of animals;
taking into account the risks to the health and hygiene, human security, as well as other animal safety arising excessive home (room) number of animals;
given that there is the keeping of wild animals on the House (room);
Recognizing the different conditions governing the website (the room) animal acquisition, holding, commercial and non-commercial production and disposal, as well as trade with them;
realising that House (rooms), animals are not always kept in conditions that promote their health and welfare;
Noting that the attitude towards the House (rooms), animals are very different, which sometimes have limited knowledge and lack of understanding;
given that the introduction of the single fundamental attitudes and practices, ensuring the responsible House (rooms), animals are not only desirable but also achievable goal, have agreed on the following.
Chapter I – General provisions article 1 – definitions 1. Home (room) the animal is any animal that is kept, or is intended for keeping the human in the household of his joy and the public.
2. Trade House (rooms), animals are all economic transactions that profit is systematically made with a significant number of House (rooms), animals and are associated with a change in the holder.
3. Commercial farming and the cultivation of the sense of accommodation or accommodation, whose main purpose is to make a profit and which are carried out with a significant number of animals.
4. the animal shelter is a non-profit organization that can accommodate a significant number of House (rooms). If national legislation and/or administrative measures permits, such company may also accept stray animals.
5. the Stray Animal is home (rooms), animals which do not have a House, or the House (rooms), animals outside the owner's or keeper's household and by the owner or keeper does not control or monitor directly.
6. the competent authority is the authority designated by the Member State concerned.
Article 2 – scope and implementation 1. each Member State shall undertake to adopt the necessary measures to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Convention with regard to: (a)) home (rooms), animals that there person or legal person in the household or undertaking which is engaged in trade, commercial and accommodation, as well as animal shelters;
(b) where appropriate, stray) animals.
2. None of the provisions of this Convention shall not affect the implementation of other legislation for the protection of animals or endangered wild species conservation.
3. None of the provisions of this Convention shall not affect the right of Member States to take more stringent measures in the House (rooms) for the protection of animals or to apply the provisions contained here animal categories, which are not mentioned in this document directly.
Chapter II – of the House (room) principles of animal keeping article 3 – animal welfare guiding principles 1. House (rooms), animals must not cause unnecessary pain, suffering or distress.
2. The House (rooms), animals may leave.
Article 4-1 of Keeping anyone in there home (room) the animal or has agreed to take care of it, it is the responsibility of health and welfare.
2. Any person who holds the House (room) or on the care of animals, provide the accommodation, care and attention, taking into account the Ethological needs of the animals according to species and variety, in particular (a)) shall be given a sufficient quantity of adequate food and water;
(b) ensure the adequate movement) options;
(c)) shall take reasonable measures to prevent the possibility of absconding.
3. the animals must not be kept as House (rooms), animals if (a)) have not been complied with paragraph 2 of this article, b) conditions or to both these conditions are met, the animal cannot adapt to life in captivity.
Article 5 – production every person who chooses a House (rooms) for animal production, is responsible for the animals anatomical, physiological and behavioural characteristics, which can cause hazard to either the offspring or female senior health and welfare.
Article 6 – the age limit to get the property of the animal house (rooms), animals are not for persons under the age of sixteen years, no parent or other person with parental responsibility, express consent.
Article 7 – training House (rooms), animals should not be exposed to such training, which are detrimental to their health and welfare, in particular, forcing them to do more than it allows her natural ability or strength, or using artificial AIDS which cause injury or unnecessary pain, suffering or distress.
Article 8 – trade, commercial farming and housing, animal shelters 1. Every person that the entry into force of the Convention during the dealing with the House (room) the animal trade or commercial farming or accommodation or manage animal shelter, according to the period of time defined by each Member State, it shall notify the competent authority.
Any person who intends to engage in any of the following, notify this intention to the competent authority.
2. This notification shall specify: (a)) home (room) the animal species covered in this Act apply or;
(b) the responsible person and personal) knowledge;
(c)) or use the used space and equipment description.
3. The above activities may be carried out only: (a) if the person responsible is) the necessary knowledge and skills gained through vocational training, or a large enough experience home (room) and (b)) if the transaction space and equipment used complies with article 4 requirements.
4. on the basis of the notification submitted in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1, the competent authority shall determine whether the conditions set out in paragraph 3 are met. If these conditions are not met adequately, it proposes to take measures and, if required for animal welfare reasons, prohibits the start-up or continuation.
5. In accordance with national law, the competent authority shall supervise whether those conditions are met.
Article 9 – advertising, entertainment, exhibitions, competitions and similar measures 1. House (rooms) animals shall not be used for advertising, entertainment, exhibitions, competitions and similar activities, if (a) the Organizer are not relevant) circumstances to handling House (rooms), animals would be appropriate for article 4, paragraph 2, and (b)) are hazards home (room) the animal health and welfare.
2. The House (room) animals must not be given any substances, treatment or use of the device in question to raise or lower his natural performance level a) competitions or b) at any other time when it presents a risk to the health and welfare of the animal.
Article 10 – surgical operations 1. Surgical operations in the House (room) to change the appearance of the animal or other treatment not related purposes is prohibited, in particular a) tail trim;
b) cropping ears;
(c)) devokalizācij;
(d))-amputation and fangs tear.
2. Exceptions to these prohibitions is permitted only in the following cases: (a)) If a veterinarian considers that no medical procedure is to take veterinary reasons or certain animals;
(b)) to prevent reproduction.
3. operations associated with significant damage to animal pain, only carried out by a veterinarian or under the supervision of the official veterinarian, using anesthesia.
Operations that do not require anesthesia, can make a person recognized as competent under national law.
Article 11-1 of the Killing House (rooms) to kill the animals must only be a veterinarian or other competent person, except in cases of emergency, to end the suffering of the animal, if it is not possible to quickly get a veterinarian or other competent person, or in other exceptional circumstances laid down in national legislation. Killing the animal, must act to create as little physical and mental suffering, as it can under the circumstances. Except in exceptional cases, to kill the animals, choose one of the following techniques: a) causes immediate loss of consciousness and death, or (b)) causes profound general anesthesia, then take action, the inevitable death.

Before the destruction of the body of the animal for killing a person in charge make sure that the animal is dead.
2. it is prohibited to use the following methods: (a) killing) noslīcināšan or other noslāpēšan methods, provided they do not cause point "b" above the intended results;
(b)) any poisonous substance or the use of the medicinal product, where dose and use the control to trigger the results referred to in paragraph 1;
(c)) with the killing electric power assistance, if one has not triggered an immediate loss of consciousness.
Chapter III-additional measures for stray animals article 12 – cuts if a Member State considers that the number of animals stray it creates problems, it may take appropriate legal and/or administrative measures to reduce the number by using the techniques that animals pose the least possible pain, suffering or distress.
(a)) these measures shall be subject to observance of the following requirements: (i) the animals captured by them) pose a possible physical and mental suffering, ii) captured the animals or killing in accordance with the principles set out in this Convention.
(b)) Member States have to consider: (i)) to ensure the identification of dogs and cats when using techniques that do not cause or almost no long-term pain, suffering or distress, such as tetovēj and entering a number and the name and address of the owner in the register, (ii)) to reduce dog and cat unplanned growth, promoting the animal sterilization, III) promoted to stray dog or cat Finder on the find notify to the competent authority.
Article 13 – exceptions to capture, keeping and killing of the principles of the Convention on stray animal capture, keeping and killing may be waived only if this is necessary for disease control national program implementation.
Chapter IV – information and education article 14-information and educational programs, Member States undertake to promote informative and educational programmes to promote the development with the House (rooms), animals for breeding, training, marketing and accommodation related organizations and individuals in the awareness and knowledge of the rules and principles of this Convention. These programmes focus in particular should focus on the following topics: (a) the understanding that home) (room) animal training for commercial or competitive purposes by persons with appropriate knowledge and skills;
(b) understanding, i)) that it is not desirable to give to the House (rooms), animals for persons under the age of sixteen, without parents or other persons having parental responsibility, explicit consent, ii) that it is not desirable to give to the House (rooms), animals as prizes, awards or bonuses, III) that it is not desirable to grow unplanned House (rooms), animals (c)) on the possible negative effects of the wild animal health and welfare, if they are generated or introduced as House (rooms), animals , d) about the risks of the House (rooms), animals, increasing the irresponsible unwanted and abandoned animals.
Chapter v – multilateral consultations article 15 – multilateral consultations 1. Member States shall hold multilateral consultations within the Council of Europe five years after the entry into force of this Convention and every five years thereafter, or in all cases, if requested by a majority of the representatives of the Member States, to consider how the Convention is applied, and whether it is advisable to revise or expand any of its provisions. These consultations shall take place at meetings convened by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
2. Each Member State shall have the right to appoint a representative to participate in these consultations. Any Member State of the Council of Europe, which is not a Contracting Party to the Convention, has the right to delegate an observer in these consultations.
3. After each consultation, the Member States shall submit to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe a report on the progress of the consultation and the functioning of the Convention, including, where necessary, proposals for the 15 to 23 of the Convention, the amendment to article.
4. Subject to the provisions of this Convention, the Member States shall lay down the rules of procedure of the Conference.
Chapter VI-amendments article 16 – amendments 1.1 to 14 All the amendments, proposed by a Member State or the Committee of Ministers, shall notify the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, and he sent them to the Member States of the Council of Europe, all parties and all States invited to accede to the Convention in accordance with the provisions of article 19.
2. Any amendment proposed in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the multilateral consultation, in which the Member States may adopt by a two-thirds majority, not earlier than two months after they were sent by the Secretary-General. The text adopted shall be forwarded to the Member States.
3. An amendment shall enter into force twelve months after the adoption of a multilateral consultation, where no Member State has disagreed.
Chapter VII – final provisions article 17 – signature, ratification, acceptance and approval of this Convention shall be open for signature by the Member States of the Council of Europe. To be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. The instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.
Article 18-entry into force 1. The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date on which four Member States of the Council of Europe have agreed to recognize the Convention as binding in accordance with the provisions of article 17.
2. In respect of a signatory, which agrees with the Convention bound by it, it shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.
Article 19 – accession of third countries 1. After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may invite any non-Member State of the Council to accede to this Convention, on the acting by majority vote, as provided for in the Statute of the Council of Europe, article 20 d, and unanimously adopted by the representatives of the Contracting States in the Committee of Ministers.
2. Any State which accedes to the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the day on which the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe instrument of accession is deposited.
Article 20 – territorial application clause 1. Any State may, when signing this Convention or when submitting a document of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which the Convention applies.
2. any Member State later with a declaration addressed to the Secretary General may extend the application of this Convention in other areas indicated in the Declaration. In these areas, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the day on which the Secretary-General that Declaration.
3. the Declaration, sent in accordance with paragraph 1 and 2, regarding in the designated areas may at any time be withdrawn by a notification addressed to the Secretary General. Withdrawal shall take effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the day on which the Secretary-General receives this message.
Article 21 – reservations 1 any State at the time of signature or of its deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession deposit of the moment can be determined, that it has the right to one or more of the reservation in respect of article 6 and article 10, paragraph 1, "a" section. Other reservations.
2. Any Member State which has made a reservation under the preceding paragraph may wholly or partly withdraw it by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Withdrawal shall take effect on the day on which the Secretary-General receives this message.
3. A Member State which has made a reservation in respect of the provisions of this Convention may not claim to apply the relevant provisions of another Member State; However, it can, if its reservation is partial or conditional, claim the application of the relevant provisions, in so far as it has itself accepted it.
Article 22 – denunciation 1 any Member State may at any time denounce this Convention by sending an appropriate notification to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.
2. The denunciation shall take effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of six months after the day on which the Secretary-General receives this message.
Article 23 – notifications the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the Member States of the Council of Europe and any State which has acceded to the Convention or has received such invitation, on (a) the signing of the Convention);
b) each instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession depositing;
(c)) date of entry into force of the Convention in accordance with the 18, 19 and 20 of article;
(d) any other Act), notification or communication relating to this Convention.
In witness whereof, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this Convention.
Signed in Strasbourg, 13 November 1987, in English and French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each Member State of the Council of Europe and any State which has been invited to accede to this Convention.