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option and other terms that they may deem appropriate, such conditional extradition or surrender shall be sufficient to discharge the obligation set forth in paragraph 10 of this Article.
 12. If extradition, sought for purposes of enforcing a sentence, is refused because the person sought is a national of the requested State Party, the requested Party shall, if its domestic law so permits and in conformity with the requirements of such law, upon application of the requesting Party, consider the enforcement of the sentence that has been imposed under the domestic law of the requesting Party or the remainder thereof.
 13. Any person regarding whom proceedings are being carried out in connection with any of the offences to which this Article applies shall be guaranteed fair treatment at all stages of the proceedings, including enjoyment of all the rights and guarantees provided by the domestic law of the State Party in the territory of which that person is present.
 14. Nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted as imposing an obligation to extradite if the requested State Party has substantial grounds for believing that the request has been made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing a person on account of that person's sex, race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin or political opinions or that compliance with the request would cause prejudice to that person's position for any one of these reasons.
 15. States Parties may not refuse a request for extradition on the sole ground that the offence is also considered to involve fiscal matters.
 16. Before refusing extradition, the requested State Party shall, where appropriate, consult with the requesting State Party to provide it with ample opportunity to present its opinions and to provide information relevant to its allegation.
 17. States Parties shall seek to conclude bilateral and multilateral agreements or arrangements to carry out or to enhance the effectiveness of extradition.
 Article 17
 Transfer of sentenced persons
 States Parties may consider entering into bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements on the transfer to their territory of persons sentenced to imprisonment or other forms of deprivation of liberty for offences covered by this Convention, in order that they may complete their sentences there.
 Article 18
 Mutual legal assistance
 1. States Parties shall afford one another the widest measure of mutual legal assistance in investigations, prosecutions and judicial proceedings in relation to the offences covered by this Convention as provided for in Article 3 and shall reciprocally extend to one another similar assistance where the requesting State Party has reasonable grounds to suspect that the offence referred to in Article 3(1)(a) or (b), is transnational in nature, including that victims, witnesses, proceeds, instrumentalities or evidence of such offences are located in the requested State Party and that the offence involves an organised criminal group.
 2. Mutual legal assistance shall be afforded to the fullest extent possible under relevant laws, treaties, agreements and arrangements of the requested State Party with respect to investigations, prosecutions and judicial proceedings in relation to the


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offences for which a legal person may be held liable in accordance with Article 10 of this Convention in the requesting State Party.
 3. Mutual legal assistance to be afforded in accordance with this Article may be requested for any of the following purposes:
 (a) taking evidence or statements from persons;
 (b) effecting service of judicial documents;
 (c) executing searches and seizures, and freezing;
 (d) examining objects and sites;
 (e) providing information, evidentiary items and expert evaluations;
 (f) providing originals or certified copies of relevant documents and records, including government, bank, financial, corporate or business records;
 (g) identifying or tracing proceeds of crime, property, instrumentalities or other things for evidentiary purposes;
 (h) facilitating the voluntary appearance of persons in the requesting State Party;
 (i) any other type of assistance that is not contrary to the domestic law of the requested State Party.
 4. Without prejudice to domestic law, the competent authorities of a State Party may, without prior request, transmit information relating to criminal matters to a competent authority in another State Party where they believe that such information could assist the authority in undertaking or successfully concluding inquiries and criminal proceedings or could result in a request formulated by the latter State Party pursuant to this Convention.
 5. The transmission of information pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article shall be without prejudice to inquiries and criminal proceedings in the State of the competent authorities providing the information. The competent authorities receiving the information shall comply with a request that said information remain confidential, even temporarily, or with restrictions on its use. However, this shall not prevent the receiving State Party from disclosing in its proceedings information that is exculpatory to an accused person. In such a case, the receiving State Party shall notify the transmitting State Party prior to the disclosure and, if so requested, consult with the transmitting State Party. If, in an exceptional case, advance notice is not possible, the receiving State Party shall inform the transmitting State Party of the disclosure without delay.
 6. The provisions of this Article shall not affect the obligations under any other treaty, bilateral or multilateral, that governs or will govern, in whole or in part, mutual legal assistance.
 7. Paragraphs 9 to 29 of this Article shall apply to requests made pursuant to this Article if the States Parties in question are not bound by a treaty of mutual legal assistance. If those States Parties are bound by such a treaty, the corresponding provisions of that treaty shall apply unless the States Parties agree to apply paragraphs 9 to 29 of this Article in lieu thereof. States Parties are strongly encouraged to apply these paragraphs if they facilitate cooperation.
 8. States Parties shall not decline to render mutual legal assistance pursuant to this Article on the ground of bank secrecy.
 9. States Parties may decline to render mutual legal assistance pursuant to this Article on the ground of absence of dual criminality. However, the requested State Party may, when

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it deems appropriate, provide assistance, to the extent it decides at its discretion, irrespective of whether the conduct would constitute an offence under the domestic law of the requested State Party.
 10. A person who is being detained or is serving a sentence in the territory of one State Party whose presence in another State Party is requested for purposes of identification, testimony or otherwise providing assistance in obtaining evidence for investigations, prosecutions or judicial proceedings in relation to offences covered by this Convention may be transferred if the following conditions are met:
 (a) the person freely gives his or her informed consent;
 (b) the competent authorities of both States Parties agree, subject to such conditions as those States Parties may deem appropriate.
 11. For the purposes of paragraph 10 of this Article:
 (a) the State Party to which the person is transferred shall have the authority and obligation to keep the person transferred in custody, unless otherwise requested or authorised by the State Party from which the person was transferred;
 (b) the State Party to which the person is transferred shall without delay implement its obligation to return the person to the custody of the State Party from which the person was transferred as agreed beforehand, or as otherwise agreed, by the competent authorities of both States Parties;
 (c) the State Party to which the person is transferred shall not require the State Party from which the person was transferred to initiate extradition proceedings for the return of the person;
 (d) the person transferred shall receive credit for service of the sentence being served in the State from which he or she was transferred for time spent in the custody of the State Party to which he or she was transferred.
 12. Unless the State Party from which a person is to be transferred in accordance with paragraphs 10 and 11 of this Article so agrees, that person, whatever his or her nationality, shall not be prosecuted, detained, punished or subjected to any other restriction of his or her personal liberty in the territory of the State to which that person is transferred in respect of acts, omissions or convictions prior to his or her departure from the territory of the State from which he or she was transferred.
 13. Each State Party shall designate a central authority that shall have the responsibility and power to receive requests for mutual legal assistance and either to execute them or to transmit them to the competent authorities for execution. Where a State Party has a special region or territory with a separate system of mutual legal assistance, it may designate a distinct central authority that shall have the same function for that region or territory. Central authorities shall ensure the speedy and proper execution or transmission of the requests received. Where the central authority transmits the request to a competent authority for execution, it shall encourage the speedy and proper execution of the request by the competent authority. The Secretary-General of


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the United Nations shall be notified of the central authority designated for this purpose at the time each State Party deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of or accession to this Convention. Requests for mutual legal assistance and any communication related thereto shall be transmitted to the central authorities designated by the States Parties. This requirement shall be without prejudice to the right of a State Party to require that such requests and communications be addressed to it through diplomatic channels and, in urgent circumstances, where the States Parties agree, through the International Criminal Police Organisation, if possible.
 14. Requests shall be made in writing or, where possible, by any means capable of producing a written record, in a language acceptable to the requested State Party, under conditions allowing that State Party to establish authenticity. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall be notified of the language or languages acceptable to each State Party at the time it deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of or accession to this Convention. In urgent circumstances and where agreed by the States Parties, requests may be made orally, but shall be confirmed in writing forthwith.
 15. A request for mutual legal assistance shall contain:
 (a) the identity of the authority making the request;
 (b) the subject matter and nature of the investigation, prosecution or judicial proceeding to which the request relates and the name and functions of the authority conducting the investigation, prosecution or judicial proceeding;
 (c) a summary of the relevant facts, except in relation to requests for the purpose of service of judicial documents;
 (d) a description of the assistance sought and details of any particular procedure that the requesting State Party wishes to be followed;
 (e) where possible, the identity, location and nationality of any person concerned; and
 (f) the purpose for which the evidence, information or action is sought.
 16. The requested State Party may request additional information when it appears necessary for the execution of the request in accordance with its domestic law or when it can facilitate such execution.
 17. A request shall be executed in accordance with the domestic law of the requested State Party and, to the extent not contrary to the domestic law of the requested State Party and where possible, in accordance with the procedures specified in the request.
 18. Wherever possible and consistent with fundamental principles of domestic law, when an individual is in the territory of a State Party and has to be heard as a witness or expert by the judicial authorities of another State Party, the first State Party may, at the request of the other, permit the hearing to take place by video conference if it is not possible or desirable for the individual in question to appear in person in the territory of the requesting State Party. States Parties may agree that the hearing shall be conducted by a judicial authority of the requesting State Party and attended by a judicial authority of


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the requested State Party.
 19. The requesting State Party shall not transmit or use information or evidence furnished by the requested State Party for investigations, prosecutions or judicial proceedings other than those stated in the request without the prior consent of the requested State Party. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the requesting State Party from disclosing in its proceedings information or evidence that is exculpatory to an accused person. In the latter case, the requesting State Party shall notify the requested State Party prior to the disclosure and, if so requested, consult with the requested State Party. If, in an exceptional case, advance notice is not possible, the requesting State Party shall inform the requested State Party of the disclosure without delay.
 20. The requesting State Party may require that the requested State Party keep confidential the fact and substance of the request, except to the extent necessary to execute the request. If the requested State Party cannot comply with the requirement of confidentiality, it shall promptly inform the requesting State Party.
 21. Mutual legal assistance may be refused:
 (a) if the request is not made in conformity with the provisions of this Article;
 (b) if the requested State Party considers that execution of the request is likely to prejudice its sovereignty, security, public order or other essential interests;
 (c) if the authorities of the requested State Party would be prohibited by its domestic law from carrying out the action requested with regard to any similar offence, had it been subject to investigation, prosecution or judicial proceedings under their own jurisdiction;
 (d) if it would be contrary to the legal system of the requested State Party relating to mutual legal assistance for the request to be granted.
 22. States Parties may not refuse a request for mutual legal assistance on the sole ground that the offence is also considered to involve fiscal matters.
 23. Reasons shall be given for any refusal of mutual legal assistance.
 24. The requested State Party shall execute the request for mutual legal assistance as soon as possible and shall take as full account as possible of any deadlines suggested by the requesting State Party and for which reasons are given, preferably in the request. The requested State Party shall respond to reasonable requests by the requesting State Party on progress of its handling of the request. The requesting State Party shall promptly inform the requested State Party when the assistance sought is no longer required.
 25. Mutual legal assistance may be postponed by the requested State Party on the ground that it interferes with an ongoing investigation, prosecution or judicial proceeding.
 26. Before refusing a request pursuant to paragraph 21 of this Article or postponing its execution pursuant to paragraph 25 of this Article, the requested State Party shall consult with the requesting State Party to consider whether assistance may be granted subject to such terms and conditions as it deems necessary. If the requesting State Party accepts assistance subject to those conditions, it


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shall comply with the conditions.
 27. Without prejudice to the application of paragraph 12 of this Article, a witness, expert or other person who, at the request of the requesting State Party, consents to give evidence in a proceeding or to assist in an investigation, prosecution or judicial proceeding in the territory of the requesting State Party shall not be prosecuted, detained, punished or subjected to any other restriction of his or her personal liberty in that territory in respect of acts, omissions or convictions prior to his or her departure from the territory of the requested State Party. Such safe conduct shall cease when the witness, expert or other person having had, for a period of 15 consecutive days or for any period agreed upon by the States Parties from the date on which he or she has been officially informed that his or her presence is no longer required by the judicial authorities, an opportunity of leaving, has nevertheless remained voluntarily in the territory of the requesting State Party or, having left it, has returned of his or her own free will.
 28. The ordinary costs of executing a request shall be borne by the requested State Party, unless otherwise agreed by the States Parties concerned. If expenses of a substantial or extraordinary nature are or will be required to fulfil the request, the States Parties shall consult to determine the terms and conditions under which the request will be executed, as well as the manner in which the costs shall be borne.
 29. The requested State Party:
 (a) shall provide to the requesting State Party copies of government records, documents or information in its possession that under its domestic law are available to the general public;
 (b) may, at its discretion, provide to the requesting State Party in whole, in part or subject to such conditions as it deems appropriate, copies of any government records, documents or information in its possession that under its domestic law are not available to the general public.
 30. States Parties shall consider, as may be necessary, the possibility of concluding bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements that would serve the purposes of, give practical effect to or enhance the provisions of this Article.
 Article 19
 Joint investigations
 States Parties shall consider concluding bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements whereby, in relation to matters that are the subject of investigations, prosecutions or judicial proceedings in one or more States, the competent authorities concerned may establish joint investigative bodies. In the absence of such agreements or arrangements, joint investigations may be undertaken by agreement on a case-by-case basis. The States Parties involved shall ensure that the sovereignty of the State Party in whose territory such investigation is to take place is fully respected.
 Article 20
 Special investigative techniques
 1. If permitted by the basic principles of its domestic legal system, each State Party shall, within its possibilities and under the conditions prescribed by its domestic law, take the necessary measures to allow for


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the appropriate use of controlled delivery and, where it deems appropriate, for the use of other special investigative techniques, such as electronic or other forms of surveillance and undercover operations, by its competent authorities in its territory for the purpose of effectively combating organised crime.
 2. For the purpose of investigating the offences covered by this Convention, States Parties are encouraged to conclude, when necessary, appropriate bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements for using such special investigative techniques in the context of cooperation at the international level. Such agreements or arrangements shall be concluded and implemented in full compliance with the principle of sovereign equality of States and shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the terms of those agreements or arrangements.
 3. In the absence of an agreement or arrangement as set forth in paragraph 2 of this Article, decisions to use such special investigative techniques at the international level shall be made on a case-by-case basis and may, when necessary, take into consideration financial arrangements and understandings with respect to the exercise of jurisdiction by the States Parties concerned.
 4. Decisions to use controlled delivery at the international level may, with the consent of the States Parties concerned, include methods such as intercepting and allowing the goods to continue intact or be removed or replaced in whole or in part.
 Article 21
 Transfer of criminal proceedings
 States Parties shall consider the possibility of transferring to one another proceedings for the prosecution of an offence covered by this Convention in cases where such transfer is considered to be in the interests of the proper administration of justice, in particular in cases where several jurisdictions are involved, with a view to concentrating the prosecution.
 Article 22
 Establishment of criminal record
 Each State Party may adopt such legislative or other measures as may be necessary to take into consideration, under such terms as and for the purpose that it deems appropriate, any previous conviction in another State of an alleged offender for the purpose of using such information in criminal proceedings relating to an offence covered by this Convention.
 Article 23
 Criminalisation of obstruction of justice
 Each State Party shall adopt such legislative and other measures as may be necessary to establish as criminal offences, when committed intentionally:
 (a) the use of physical force, threats or intimidation or the promise, offering or giving of an undue advantage to induce false testimony or to interfere in the giving of testimony or the production of evidence in a proceeding in relation to the commission of offences covered by this Convention;
 (b) the use of physical force, threats or intimidation to interfere with the exercise of official duties by a justice or law enforcement official in relation to the commission of offences covered by this Convention. Nothing in this subparagraph shall prejudice the right of States Parties to have legislation that protects other categories of public officials.
 Article 24
 Protection of witnesses
 1. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures within its means


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to provide effective protection from potential retaliation or intimidation for witnesses in criminal proceedings who give testimony concerning offences covered by this Convention and, as appropriate, for their relatives and other persons close to them.
 2. The measures envisaged in paragraph 1 of this Article may include, inter alia , without prejudice to the rights of the defendant, including the right to due process:
 (a) establishing procedures for the physical protection of such persons, such as, to the extent necessary and feasible, relocating them and permitting, where appropriate, non-disclosure or limitations on the disclosure of information concerning the identity and whereabouts of such persons;
 (b) providing evidentiary rules to permit witness testimony to be given in a manner that ensures the safety of the witness, such as permitting testimony to be given through the use of communications technology such as video links or other adequate means.
 3. States Parties shall consider entering into agreements or arrangements with other States for the relocation of persons referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
 4. The provisions of this Article shall also apply to victims in so far as they are witnesses.
 Article 25
 Assistance to and protection of victims
 1. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures within its means to provide assistance and protection to victims of offences covered by this Convention, in particular in cases of threat of retaliation or intimidation.
 2. Each State Party shall establish appropriate procedures to provide access to compensation and restitution for victims of offences covered by this Convention.
 3. Each State Party shall, subject to its domestic law, enable views and concerns of victims to be presented and considered at appropriate stages of criminal proceedings against offenders in a manner not prejudicial to the rights of the defence.
 Article 26
 Measures to enhance cooperation with law enforcement authorities
 1. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to encourage persons who participate or who have participated in organised criminal groups:
 (a) to supply information useful to competent authorities for investigative and evidentiary purposes on such matters as:
 (i) the identity, nature, composition, structure, location or activities of organised criminal groups;
 (ii) links, including international links, with other organised criminal groups;
 (iii) offences that organised criminal groups have committed or may commit;
 (b) to provide factual, concrete help to competent authorities that may contribute to depriving organised criminal groups of their resources or of the proceeds of crime.
 2. Each State Party shall consider providing for the possibility, in appropriate cases, of mitigating punishment of an accused person who provides substantial cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of an offence covered by this Convention.
 3. Each State Party shall consider providing for the possibility, in accordance with fundamental principles of its domestic law, of granting immunity from prosecution to a person who provides substantial cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of an offence covered by this Convention.
 4. Protection of such persons shall be as provided for in Article 24 of this Convention.
 5. Where


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a person referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article located in one State Party can provide substantial cooperation to the competent authorities of another State Party, the States Parties concerned may consider entering into agreements or arrangements, in accordance with their domestic law, concerning the potential provision by the other State Party of the treatment set forth in paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article.
 Article 27
 Law enforcement cooperation
 1. States Parties shall cooperate closely with one another, consistent with their respective domestic legal and administrative systems, to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement action to combat the offences covered by this Convention. Each State Party shall, in particular, adopt effective measures:
 (a) to enhance and, where necessary, to establish channels of communication between their competent authorities, agencies and services in order to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information concerning all aspects of the offences covered by this Convention, including, if the States Parties concerned deem it appropriate, links with other criminal activities;
 (b) to cooperate with other States Parties in conducting inquiries with respect to offences covered by this Convention concerning:
 (i) the identity, whereabouts and activities of persons suspected of involvement in such offences or the location of other persons concerned;
 (ii) the movement of proceeds of crime or property derived from the commission of such offences;
 (iii) the movement of property, equipment or other instrumentalities used or intended for use in the commission of such offences;
 (c) to provide, when appropriate, necessary items or quantities of substances for analytical or investigative purposes;
 (d) to facilitate effective coordination between their competent authorities, agencies and services and to promote the exchange of personnel and other experts, including, subject to bilateral agreements or arrangements between the States Parties concerned, the posting of liaison officers;
 (e) to exchange information with other States Parties on specific means and methods used by organised criminal groups, including, where applicable, routes and conveyances and the use of false identities, altered or false documents or other means of concealing their activities;
 (f) to exchange information and coordinate administrative and other measures taken as appropriate for the purpose of early identification of the offences covered by this Convention.
 2. With a view to giving effect to this Convention, States Parties shall consider entering into bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements on direct cooperation between their law enforcement agencies and, where such agreements or arrangements already exist, amending them. In the absence of such agreements or arrangements between the States Parties concerned, the Parties may consider this Convention as the basis for mutual law enforcement cooperation in respect of the offences covered by this Convention. Whenever appropriate, States Parties shall make full use of agreements or arrangements, including international or regional organisations, to enhance the cooperation between their law enforcement agencies.
 3. States Parties shall endeavour to cooperate within their means to respond to transnational organised crime committed through the use of modern technology.
 Article 28
 Collection, exchange and analysis of information on the


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nature of organised crime
 1. Each State Party shall consider analysing, in consultation with the scientific and academic communities, trends in organised crime in its territory, the circumstances in which organised crime operates, as well as the professional groups and technologies involved.
 2. States Parties shall consider developing and sharing analytical expertise concerning organised criminal activities with each other and through international and regional organisations. For that purpose, common definitions, standards and methodologies should be developed and applied as appropriate.
 3. Each State Party shall consider monitoring its policies and actual measures to combat organised crime and making assessments of their effectiveness and efficiency.
 Article 29
 Training and technical assistance
 1. Each State Party shall, to the extent necessary, initiate, develop or improve specific training programmes for its law enforcement personnel, including prosecutors, investigating magistrates and customs personnel, and other personnel charged with the prevention, detection and control of the offences covered by this Convention. Such programmes may include secondments and exchanges of staff. Such programmes shall deal, in particular and to the extent permitted by domestic law, with the following:
 (a) methods used in the prevention, detection and control of the offences covered by this Convention;
 (b) routes and techniques used by persons suspected of involvement in offences covered by this Convention, including in transit States, and appropriate countermeasures;
 (c) monitoring of the movement of contraband;
 (d) detection and monitoring of the movements of proceeds of crime, property, equipment or other instrumentalities and methods used for the transfer, concealment or disguise of such proceeds, property, equipment or other instrumentalities, as well as methods used in combating money-laundering and other financial crimes;
 (e) collection of evidence;
 (f) control techniques in free trade zones and free ports;
 (g) modern law enforcement equipment and techniques, including electronic surveillance, controlled deliveries and undercover operations;
 (h) methods used in combating transnational organised crime committed through the use of computers, telecommunications networks or other forms of modern technology; and
 (i) methods used in the protection of victims and witnesses.
 2. States Parties shall assist one another in planning and implementing research and training programmes designed to share expertise in the areas referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and to that end shall also, when appropriate, use regional and international conferences and seminars to promote cooperation and to stimulate discussion on problems of mutual concern, including the special problems and needs of transit States.
 3. States Parties shall promote training and technical assistance that will facilitate extradition and mutual legal assistance. Such training and technical assistance may include language training, secondments and exchanges between personnel in central authorities or agencies with relevant responsibilities.
 4. In the case of existing bilateral and multilateral agreements or arrangements, States Parties shall strengthen, to the extent necessary, efforts to maximise operational and training activities within international and regional organisations and within other relevant bilateral and multilateral agreements or arrangements.
 Article 30
 Other measures: implementation of the Convention through economic development and technical assistance
 1. States Parties shall take


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measures conducive to the optimal implementation of this Convention to the extent possible, through international cooperation, taking into account the negative effects of organised crime on society in general, in particular on sustainable development.
 2. States Parties shall make concrete efforts to the extent possible and in coordination with each other, as well as with international and regional organisations:
 (a) to enhance their cooperation at various levels with developing countries, with a view to strengthening the capacity of the latter to prevent and combat transnational organised crime;
 (b) to enhance financial and material assistance to support the efforts of developing countries to fight transnational organised crime effectively and to help them implement this Convention successfully;
 (c) to provide technical assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to assist them in meeting their needs for the implementation of this Convention. To that end, States Parties shall endeavour to make adequate and regular voluntary contributions to an account specifically designated for that purpose in a United Nations funding mechanism. States Parties may also give special consideration, in accordance with their domestic law and the provisions of this Convention, to contributing to the aforementioned account a percentage of the money or of the corresponding value of proceeds of crime or property confiscated in accordance with the provisions of this Convention;
 (d) to encourage and persuade other States and financial institutions as appropriate to join them in efforts in accordance with this Article, in particular by providing more training programmes and modern equipment to developing countries in order to assist them in achieving the objectives of this Convention.
 3. To the extent possible, these measures shall be without prejudice to existing foreign assistance commitments or to other financial cooperation arrangements at the bilateral, regional or international level.
 4. States Parties may conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements on material and logistical assistance, taking into consideration the financial arrangements necessary for the means of international cooperation provided for by this Convention to be effective and for the prevention, detection and control of transnational organised crime.
 Article 31
 Prevention
 1. States Parties shall endeavour to develop and evaluate national projects and to establish and promote best practices and policies aimed at the prevention of transnational organised crime.
 2. States Parties shall endeavour, in accordance with fundamental principles of their domestic law, to reduce existing or future opportunities for organised criminal groups to participate in lawful markets with proceeds of crime, through appropriate legislative, administrative or other measures. These measures should focus on:
 (a) the strengthening of cooperation between law enforcement agencies or prosecutors and relevant private entities, including industry;
 (b) the promotion of the development of standards and procedures designed to safeguard the integrity of public and relevant private entities, as well as codes of conduct for relevant professions, in particular lawyers, notaries public, tax consultants and accountants;
 (c) the prevention of the misuse by organised criminal groups of tender procedures conducted by public authorities and of subsidies and licences granted by


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public authorities for commercial activity;
 (d) the prevention of the misuse of legal persons by organised criminal groups; such measures could include:
 (i) the establishment of public records on legal and natural persons involved in the establishment, management and funding of legal persons;
 (ii) the introduction of the possibility of disqualifying by court order or any appropriate means for a reasonable period of time persons convicted of offences covered by this Convention from acting as directors of legal persons incorporated within their jurisdiction;
 (iii) the establishment of national records of persons disqualified from acting as directors of legal persons; and
 (iv) the exchange of information contained in the records referred to in subparagraphs (d)(i) and (iii) of this paragraph with the competent authorities of other States Parties.
 3. States Parties shall endeavour to promote the reintegration into society of persons convicted of offences covered by this Convention.
 4. States Parties shall endeavour to evaluate periodically existing relevant legal instruments and administrative practices with a view to detecting their vulnerability to misuse by organised criminal groups.
 5. States Parties shall endeavour to promote public awareness regarding the existence, causes and gravity of and the threat posed by transnational organised crime. Information may be disseminated where appropriate through the mass media and shall include measures to promote public participation in preventing and combating such crime.
 6. Each State Party shall inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the name and address of the authority or authorities that can assist other States Parties in developing measures to prevent transnational organised crime.
 7. States Parties shall, as appropriate, collaborate with each other and relevant international and regional organisations in promoting and developing the measures referred to in this Article. This includes participation in international projects aimed at the prevention of transnational organised crime, for example by alleviating the circumstances that render socially marginalised groups vulnerable to the action of transnational organised crime.
 Article 32
 Conference of the Parties to the Convention
 1. A Conference of the Parties to the Convention is hereby established to improve the capacity of States Parties to combat transnational organised crime and to promote and review the implementation of this Convention.
 2. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall convene the Conference of the Parties not later than one year following the entry into force of this Convention. The Conference of the Parties shall adopt rules of procedure and rules governing the activities set forth in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article (including rules concerning payment of expenses incurred in carrying out those activities).
 3. The Conference of the Parties shall agree upon mechanisms for achieving the objectives mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article, including:
 (a) facilitating activities by States Parties under Articles 29, 30 and 31 of this Convention, including by encouraging the mobilisation of voluntary contributions;
 (b) facilitating the exchange of information among States Parties on patterns and trends in transnational organised crime and on successful practices for combating it;
 (c) cooperating with relevant international


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and regional organisations and non-governmental organisations;
 (d) reviewing periodically the implementation of this Convention;
 (e) making recommendations to improve this Convention and its implementation.
 4. For the purpose of paragraphs 3 (d) and (e) of this Article, the Conference of the Parties shall acquire the necessary knowledge of the measures taken by States Parties in implementing this Convention and the difficulties encountered by them in doing so through information provided by them and through such supplemental review mechanisms as may be established by the Conference of the Parties.
 5. Each State Party shall provide the Conference of the Parties with information on its programmes, plans and practices, as well as legislative and administrative measures to implement this Convention, as required by the Conference of the Parties.
 Article 33
 Secretariat
 1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide the necessary secretariat services to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention.
 2. The secretariat shall:
 (a) assist the Conference of the Parties in carrying out the activities set forth in Article 32 of this Convention and make arrangements and provide the necessary services for the sessions of the Conference of the Parties;
 (b) upon request, assist States Parties in providing information to the Conference of the Parties as envisaged in Article 32(5), of this Convention; and
 (c) ensure the necessary coordination with the secretariats of relevant international and regional organisations.
 Article 34
 Implementation of the Convention
 1. Each State Party shall take the necessary measures, including legislative and administrative measures, in accordance with fundamental principles of its domestic law, to ensure the implementation of its obligations under this Convention.
 2. The offences established in accordance with Articles 5, 6, 8 and 23 of this Convention shall be established in the domestic law of each State Party independently of the transnational nature or the involvement of an organised criminal group as described in Article 3(1), of this Convention, except to the extent that Article 5 of this Convention would require the involvement of an organised criminal group.
 3. Each State Party may adopt more strict or severe measures than those provided for by this Convention for preventing and combating transnational organised crime.
 Article 35
 Settlement of disputes
 l. States Parties shall endeavour to settle disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention through negotiation.
 2. Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention 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 organisation 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 Convention, declare that it does not


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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 36
 Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession
 1. This Convention 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 Convention shall also be open for signature by regional economic integration organisations provided that at least one Member State of such organisation has signed this Convention in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.
 3. This Convention 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 organisation 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 organisation shall declare the extent of its competence with respect to the matters governed by this Convention. Such organisation shall also inform the depositary of any relevant modification in the extent of its competence.
 4. This Convention is open for accession by any State or any regional economic integration organisation of which at least one Member State is a Party to this Convention. Instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the time of its accession, a regional economic integration organisation shall declare the extent of its competence with respect to matters governed by this Convention. Such organisation shall also inform the depositary of any relevant modification in the extent of its competence.
 Article 37
 Relation with protocols
 1. This Convention may be supplemented by one or more protocols.
 2. In order to become a Party to a protocol, a State or a regional economic integration organisation must also be a Party to this Convention.
 3. A State Party to this Convention is not bound by a protocol unless it becomes a Party to the protocol in accordance with the provisions thereof.
 4. Any protocol to this Convention shall be interpreted together with this Convention, taking into account the purpose of that protocol.
 Article 38
 Entry into force
 1. This Convention shall enter into force on the 19th day after the date of deposit of the 40th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. For the purpose of this paragraph, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organisation shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by Member States of such organisation.
 2. For each State or regional economic integration organisation ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Convention after the deposit of the 40th instrument


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of such action, this Convention shall enter into force on the 30th day after the date of deposit by such State or organisation of the relevant instrument.
 Article 39
 Amendment
 1. After the expiry of five years from the entry into force of this Convention, a State Party 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 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 present and voting at the meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
 2. Regional economic integration organisations, 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 Convention. Such organisations 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 90 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 Convention and any earlier amendments that they have ratified, accepted or approved.
 Article 40
 Denunciation
 1. A State Party may denounce this Convention 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 organisation shall cease to be a Party to this Convention when all of its Member States have denounced it.
 3. Denunciation of this Convention in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article shall entail the denunciation of any protocols thereto.
 Article 41
 Depositary and languages
 1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated depositary of this Convention.
 2. The original of this Convention, 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 authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Convention.
 Convention des Nations unies contre la criminalité transnationale organisée
 Article premier
 Objet
 L'objet de la présente convention est de promouvoir la coopération


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afin de prévenir et de combattre plus efficacement la criminalité transnationale organisée.
 Article 2
 Terminologie
 Aux fins de la présente convention:
 a) l'expression «groupe criminel organisé» désigne un groupe structuré de trois personnes ou plus existant depuis un certain temps et agissant de concert dans le but de commettre une ou plusieurs infractions graves ou infractions établies conformément à la présente convention, pour en tirer, directement ou indirectement, un avantage financier ou un autre avantage matériel;
 b) l'expression «infraction grave» désigne un acte constituant une infraction passible d'une peine privative de liberté dont le maximum ne doit pas être inférieur à quatre ans ou d'une peine plus lourde;
 c) l'expression «groupe structuré» désigne un groupe qui ne s'est pas constitué au hasard pour commettre immédiatement une infraction et qui n'a pas nécessairement de rôles formellement définis pour ses membres, de continuité dans sa composition ou de structure élaborée;
 d) le terme «biens» désigne tous les types d'avoirs, corporels ou incorporels, meubles ou immeubles, tangibles ou intangibles, ainsi que les actes juridiques ou documents attestant la propriété de ces avoirs ou les droits y relatifs;
 e) l'expression «produit du crime» désigne tout bien provenant directement ou indirectement de la commission d'une infraction ou obtenu directement ou indirectement en la commettant;
 f) les termes «gel» ou «saisie» désignent l'interdiction temporaire du transfert, de la conversion, de la disposition ou du mouvement de biens, ou le fait d'assumer temporairement la garde ou le contrôle de biens sur décision d'un tribunal ou d'une autre autorité compétente;
 g) le terme «confiscation» désigne la dépossession permanente de biens sur décision d'un tribunal ou d'une autre autorité compétente;
 h) l'expression «infraction principale» désigne toute infraction à la suite de laquelle un produit est généré, qui est susceptible de devenir l'objet d'une infraction définie à l'article 6 de la présente convention;
 i) l'expression «livraison surveillée» désigne la méthode consistant à permettre le passage par le territoire d'un ou de plusieurs États d'expéditions illicites ou suspectées de l'être, au su et sous le contrôle des autorités compétentes de ces États, en vue d'enquêter sur une infraction et d'identifier les personnes impliquées dans sa commission;
 j) l'expression «organisation régionale d'intégration économique» désigne toute organisation constituée par des États souverains d'une région donnée, à laquelle ses États membres ont transféré des compétences en ce qui concerne les questions régies par la présente convention et qui a été dûment mandatée, conformément à ses procédures internes, pour signer, ratifier, accepter, approuver ladite convention ou y adhérer; les références dans la présente convention aux «États parties» sont applicables à ces organisations dans la limite de leur compétence.
 Article 3
 Champ d'application
 1. La présente convention s'applique, sauf disposition contraire, à la prévention, aux enquêtes et aux poursuites concernant:
 a) les infractions établies conformément aux articles 5, 6, 8 et 23 de la présente convention, et
 b) les infractions graves telles que définies à l'article 2 de la présente convention;
 lorsque ces infractions sont de nature transnationale et qu'un groupe criminel organisé y est impliqué.


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2. Aux fins du paragraphe 1, une infraction est de nature transnationale si:
 a) elle est commise dans plus d'un État;
 b) elle est commise dans un État mais qu'une partie substantielle de sa préparation, de sa planification, de sa conduite ou de son contrôle a lieu dans un autre État;
 c) elle est commise dans un État mais implique un groupe criminel organisé qui se livre à des activités criminelles dans plus d'un État, ou
 d) elle est commise dans un État mais a des effets substantiels dans un autre État.
 Article 4
 Protection de la souveraineté
 1. Les États parties exécutent leurs obligations au titre de la présente convention d'une manière compatible avec les principes de l'égalité souveraine et de l'intégrité territoriale des États et avec celui de la non-intervention dans les affaires intérieures d'autres États.
 2. Aucune disposition de la présente convention n'habilite un État partie à exercer sur le territoire d'un autre État une compétence et des fonctions qui sont exclusivement réservées aux autorités de cet autre État par son droit interne.
 Article 5
 Incrimination de la participation à un groupe criminel organisé
 1. Chaque État partie adopte les mesures législatives et autres nécessaires pour conférer le caractère d'infraction pénale, lorsque commis intentionnellement:
 a) à l'un ou l'autre des actes suivants, ou aux deux, en tant qu'infractions pénales distinctes de celles impliquant une tentative d'activité criminelle ou sa consommation:
 i) au fait de s'entendre avec une ou plusieurs personnes en vue de commettre une infraction grave à une fin liée directement ou indirectement à l'obtention d'un avantage financier ou autre avantage matériel et, lorsque le droit interne l'exige, impliquant un acte commis par un des participants en vertu de cette entente ou impliquant un groupe criminel organisé;
 ii) à la participation active d'une personne ayant connaissance, soit du but et de l'activité criminelle générale d'un groupe criminel organisé, soit de son intention de commettre les infractions en question:
 a. aux activités criminelles du groupe criminel organisé;
 b. à d'autres activités du groupe criminel organisé lorsque cette personne sait que sa participation contribuera à la réalisation du but criminel susmentionné;
 b) au fait d'organiser, de diriger, de faciliter, d'encourager ou de favoriser au moyen d'une aide ou de conseils la commission d'une infraction grave impliquant un groupe criminel organisé.
 2. La connaissance, l'intention, le but, la motivation ou l'entente visés au paragraphe 1 peuvent être déduits de circonstances factuelles objectives.
 3. Les États parties dont le droit interne subordonne l'établissement des infractions visées au paragraphe 1, point a) i), à l'implication d'un groupe criminel organisé veillent à ce que leur droit interne couvre toutes les infractions graves impliquant des groupes criminels organisés. Ces États parties, de même que les États parties dont le droit interne subordonne l'établissement des infractions visées au paragraphe 1, point a) i), à la commission d'un acte en vertu de l'entente, portent cette information à la connaissance du secrétaire général de l'Organisation des Nations unies au moment où ils signent la présente convention


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ou déposent leurs instruments de ratification, d'acceptation ou d'approbation ou d'adhésion.
 Article 6
 Incrimination du blanchiment du produit du crime
 1. Chaque État partie adopte, conformément aux principes fondamentaux de son droit interne, les mesures législatives et autres nécessaires pour conférer le caractère d'infraction pénale, lorsque l'acte a été commis intentionnellement:
 a) i) à la conversion ou au transfert de biens dont celui qui s'y livre sait qu'ils sont le produit du crime, dans le but de dissimuler ou de déguiser l'origine illicite desdits biens ou d'aider toute personne qui est impliquée dans la commission de l'infraction principale à échapper aux conséquences juridiques de ses actes;
 ii) à la dissimulation ou au déguisement de la nature véritable, de l'origine, de l'emplacement, de la disposition, du mouvement ou de la propriété de biens ou de droits y relatifs dont l'auteur sait qu'ils sont le produit du crime;
 b) et, sous réserve des concepts fondamentaux de son système juridique:
 i) à l'acquisition, à la détention ou à l'utilisation de biens dont celui qui les acquiert, les détient ou les utilise sait, au moment où il les reçoit, qu'ils sont le produit du crime;
 ii) à la participation à l'une des infractions établies conformément au présent article ou à toute autre association, entente, tentative ou complicité par fourniture d'une assistance, d'une aide ou de conseils en vue de sa commission.
 2. Aux fins de l'application du paragraphe 1:
 a) chaque État partie s'efforce d'appliquer le paragraphe 1 à l'éventail le plus large d'infractions principales;
 b) chaque État partie inclut dans les infractions principales toutes les infractions graves telles que définies à l'article 2 de la présente convention et les infractions établies conformément à ses articles 5, 8 et 23. S'agissant des États parties dont la législation contient une liste d'infractions principales spécifiques, ceux-ci incluent dans cette liste, au minimum, un éventail complet d'infractions liées à des groupes criminels organisés;
 c) aux fins du point b) , les infractions principales incluent les infractions commises à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur du territoire relevant de la compétence de l'État partie en question. Toutefois, une infraction commise à l'extérieur du territoire relevant de la compétence d'un État partie ne constitue une infraction principale que lorsque l'acte correspondant est une infraction pénale en vertu du droit interne de l'État où il a été commis et constituerait une infraction pénale en vertu du droit interne de l'État partie appliquant le présent article s'il avait été commis sur son territoire;
 d) chaque État partie remet au secrétaire général de l'Organisation des Nations unies une copie de ses lois qui donnent effet au présent article, ainsi qu'une copie de toute modification ultérieurement apportée à ces lois ou une description de ces lois et modifications ultérieures;
 e) lorsque les principes fondamentaux du droit interne d'un État partie l'exigent, il peut être disposé que les infractions énoncées au paragraphe 1 ne s'appliquent pas aux personnes qui ont commis l'infraction principale;
 f) la connaissance, l'intention ou la motivation, en tant qu'éléments constitutifs d'une infraction


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énoncée au paragraphe 1, peuvent être déduites de circonstances factuelles objectives.
 Article 7
 Mesures de lutte contre le blanchiment d'argent
 1. Chaque État partie:
 a) institue un régime interne complet de réglementation et de contrôle des banques et institutions financières non bancaires, ainsi que, le cas échéant, des autres entités particulièrement exposées au blanchiment d'argent, dans les limites de sa compétence, afin de prévenir et de détecter toutes formes de blanchiment d'argent, lequel régime met l'accent sur les exigences en matière d'identification des clients, d'enregistrement des opérations et de déclaration des opérations suspectes;
 b) s'assure, sans préjudice des articles 18 et 27 de la présente convention, que les autorités administratives, de réglementation, de détection et de répression et autres, chargées de la lutte contre le blanchiment d'argent (y compris, quand son droit interne le prévoit, les autorités judiciaires) sont en mesure de coopérer et d'échanger des informations aux niveaux national et international, dans les conditions définies par son droit interne et, à cette fin, envisage la création d'un service de renseignement financier qui fera office de centre national de collecte, d'analyse et de diffusion d'informations concernant d'éventuelles opérations de blanchiment d'argent.
 2. Les États parties envisagent de mettre en oeuvre des mesures réalisables de détection et de surveillance du mouvement transfrontière d'espèces et de titres négociables appropriés, sous réserve de garanties permettant d'assurer une utilisation correcte des informations et sans entraver d'aucune façon la circulation des capitaux licites. Il peut être notamment fait obligation aux particuliers et aux entreprises de signaler les transferts transfrontières de quantités importantes d'espèces et de titres négociables appropriés.
 3. Lorsqu'ils instituent un régime interne de réglementation et de contrôle aux termes du présent article, et sans préjudice de tout autre article de la présente convention, les États parties sont invités à prendre pour lignes directrices les initiatives pertinentes prises par les organisations régionales, interrégionales et multilatérales pour lutter contre le blanchiment d'argent.
 4. Les États parties s'efforcent de développer et de promouvoir la coopération mondiale, régionale, sous-régionale et bilatérale entre les autorités judiciaires, les services de détection et de répression et les autorités de réglementation financière en vue de lutter contre le blanchiment d'argent.
 Article 8
 Incrimination de la corruption
 1. Chaque État partie adopte les mesures législatives et autres nécessaires pour conférer le caractère d'infraction pénale, lorsque les actes ont été commis intentionnellement:
 a) au fait de promettre, d'offrir ou d'accorder à un agent public, directement ou indirectement, un avantage indu, pour lui-même ou pour une autre personne ou entité, afin qu'il accomplisse ou s'abstienne d'accomplir un acte dans l'exercice de ses fonctions officielles;
 b) au fait pour un agent public de solliciter ou d'accepter, directement ou indirectement, un avantage indu pour lui-même ou pour une autre personne ou entité, afin d'accomplir ou de s'abstenir d'accomplir un acte dans l'exercice de ses fonctions officielles.
 2. Chaque État partie envisage d'adopter les mesures législatives et autres nécessaires pour conférer le caractère d'infraction pénale aux actes visés au paragraphe 1, impliquant un agent public étranger ou


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un fonctionnaire international. De même, chaque État partie envisage de conférer le caractère d'infraction pénale à d'autres formes de corruption.
 3. Chaque État partie adopte également les mesures nécessaires pour conférer le caractère d'infraction pénale au fait de se rendre complice d'une infraction établie conformément au présent article.
 4. Aux fins du paragraphe 1 et de l'article 9 de la présente convention, le terme «agent public» désigne un agent public ou une personne assurant un service public, tel que ce terme est défini dans le droit interne et appliqué dans le droit pénal de l'État partie où la personne en question exerce cette fonction.
 Article 9
 Mesures contre la corruption
 1. Outre les mesures énoncées à l'article 8 de la présente convention, chaque État partie, selon qu'il convient et conformément à son système juridique, adopte des mesures efficaces d'ordre législatif, administratif ou autre pour promouvoir l'intégrité et prévenir, détecter et punir la corruption des agents publics.
 2. Chaque État partie prend des mesures pour s'assurer que ses autorités agissent efficacement en matière de prévention, de détection et de répression de la corruption des agents publics, y compris en leur donnant une indépendance suffisante pour empêcher toute influence inappropriée sur leurs actions.
 Article 10
 Responsabilité des personnes morales
 1. Chaque État partie adopte les mesures nécessaires, conformément à ses principes juridiques, pour établir la responsabilité des personnes morales qui participent à des infractions graves impliquant un groupe criminel organisé et qui commettent les infractions établies conformément aux articles 5, 6, 8 et 23 de la présente convention.
 2. Sous réserve des principes juridiques de l'État partie, la responsabilité des personnes morales peut être pénale, civile ou administrative.
 3. Cette responsabilité est sans préjudice de la responsabilité pénale des personnes physiques qui ont commis les infractions.
 4. Chaque État partie veille, en particulier, à ce que les personnes morales tenues responsables conformément au présent article fassent l'objet de sanctions efficaces, proportionnées et dissuasives de nature pénale ou non pénale, y compris de sanctions pécuniaires.
 Article 11
 Poursuites judiciaires, jugement et sanctions
 1. Chaque État partie rend la commission d'une infraction établie conformément aux articles 5, 6, 8 et 23 de la présente convention passible de sanctions qui tiennent compte de la gravité de cette infraction.
 2. Chaque État partie s'efforce de faire en sorte que tout pouvoir judiciaire discrétionnaire conféré par son droit interne et afférent aux poursuites judiciaires engagées contre des individus pour des infractions visées par la présente convention soit exercé de façon à optimiser l'efficacité des mesures de détection et de répression de ces infractions, compte dûment tenu de la nécessité d'exercer un effet dissuasif en ce qui concerne leur commission.
 3. S'agissant d'infractions établies conformément aux articles 5, 6, 8 et 23 de la présente convention, chaque État partie prend les mesures appropriées conformément à son droit interne et compte dûment tenu des droits de la défense, pour faire en sorte que les conditions auxquelles sont subordonnées les décisions de mise en liberté dans l'attente du jugement ou


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de la procédure d'appel tiennent compte de la nécessité d'assurer la présence du défendeur lors de la procédure pénale ultérieure.
 4. Chaque État partie s'assure que ses tribunaux ou autres autorités compétentes ont à l'esprit la gravité des infractions visées par la présente convention lorsqu'ils envisagent l'éventualité d'une libération anticipée ou conditionnelle de personnes reconnues coupables de ces infractions.
 5. Lorsqu'il y a lieu, chaque État partie détermine, dans le cadre de son droit interne, une période de prescription prolongée au cours de laquelle des poursuites peuvent être engagées du chef d'une des infractions visées par la présente convention, cette période étant plus longue lorsque l'auteur présumé de l'infraction s'est soustrait à la justice.
 6. Aucune disposition de la présente convention ne porte atteinte au principe selon lequel la définition des infractions établies conformément à celle-ci et des moyens juridiques de défense applicables ainsi que d'autres principes juridiques régissant la légalité des incriminations relève exclusivement du droit interne d'un État partie et selon lequel lesdites infractions sont poursuivies et punies conformément au droit de cet État partie.
 Article 12
 Confiscation et saisie
 1. Les États parties adoptent, dans toute la mesure possible dans le cadre de leurs systèmes juridiques nationaux, les mesures nécessaires pour permettre la confiscation:
 a) du produit du crime provenant d'infractions visées par la présente convention ou de biens dont la valeur correspond à celle de ce produit;
 b) des biens, des matériels et autres instruments utilisés ou destinés à être utilisés pour les infractions visées par la présente convention.
 2. Les États parties adoptent les mesures nécessaires pour permettre l'identification, la localisation, le gel ou la saisie de tout ce qui est mentionné au paragraphe 1 aux fins de confiscation éventuelle.
 3. Si le produit du crime a été transformé ou converti, en partie ou en totalité, en d'autres biens, ces derniers peuvent faire l'objet des mesures visées au présent article en lieu et place dudit produit.
 4. Si le produit du crime a été mêlé à des biens acquis légitimement, ces biens, sans préjudice de tous pouvoirs de gel ou de saisie, peuvent être confisqués à concurrence de la valeur estimée du produit qui y a été mêlé.
 5. Les revenus ou autres avantages tirés du produit du crime, des biens en lesquels le produit a été transformé ou converti ou des biens auxquels il a été mêlé peuvent aussi faire l'objet des mesures visées au présent article, de la même manière et dans la même mesure que le produit du crime.
 6. Aux fins du présent article et de l'article 13 de la présente convention, chaque État partie habilite ses tribunaux ou autres autorités compétentes à ordonner la production ou la saisie de documents bancaires, financiers ou commerciaux. Les États parties ne peuvent invoquer le secret bancaire pour refuser de donner effet aux dispositions du présent paragraphe.
 7. Les États parties peuvent envisager d'exiger que l'auteur d'une infraction établisse l'origine licite du produit présumé du crime ou d'autres biens pouvant faire l'objet d'une confiscation,


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dans la mesure où cette exigence est conforme aux principes de leur droit interne et à la nature de la procédure judiciaire et des autres procédures.
 8. L'interprétation des dispositions du présent article ne doit en aucun cas porter atteinte aux droits des tiers de bonne foi.
 9. Aucune disposition du présent article ne porte atteinte au principe selon lequel les mesures qui y sont visées sont définies et exécutées conformément au droit interne de chaque État partie et selon les dispositions dudit droit.
 Article 13
 Coopération internationale aux fins de confiscation
 1. Dans toute la mesure possible dans le cadre de son système juridique national, un État partie qui a reçu d'un autre État partie ayant compétence pour connaître d'une infraction visée par la présente convention une demande de confiscation du produit du crime, des biens, des matériels ou autres instruments visés au paragraphe 1 de l'article 12 de la présente convention, qui sont situés sur son territoire:
 a) transmet la demande à ses autorités compétentes en vue de faire prononcer une décision de confiscation et, si celle-ci intervient, la faire exécuter, ou
 b) transmet à ses autorités compétentes, afin qu'elle soit exécutée dans les limites de la demande, la décision de confiscation prise par un tribunal situé sur le territoire de l'État partie requérant conformément au paragraphe 1 de l'article 12 de la présente convention, pour ce qui est du produit du crime, des biens, des matériels ou autres instruments visés au paragraphe 1 de l'article 12 situés sur le territoire de l'État partie requis.
 2. Lorsqu'une demande est faite par un autre État partie qui a compétence pour connaître d'une infraction visée par la présente convention, l'État partie requis prend des mesures pour identifier, localiser et geler ou saisir le produit du crime, les biens, les matériels ou les autres instruments visés au paragraphe 1 de l'article 12 de la présente convention, en vue d'une éventuelle confiscation à ordonner soit par l'État partie requérant, soit comme suite à une demande formulée en vertu du paragraphe 1 du présent article, par l'État partie requis.
 3. Les dispositions de l'article 18 de la présente convention s'appliquent mutatis mutandis au présent article. Outre les informations visées à l'article 18, paragraphe 15, les demandes faites conformément au présent article contiennent:
 a) lorsque la demande relève du paragraphe 1, point a), une description des biens à confisquer et un exposé des faits sur lesquels se fonde l'État partie requérant qui permettent à l'État partie requis de faire prononcer une décision de confiscation dans le cadre de son droit interne;
 b) Lorsque la demande relève du paragraphe 1, point b) , une copie légalement admissible de la décision de confiscation rendue par l'État partie requérant sur laquelle la demande est fondée, un exposé des faits et des informations indiquant dans quelles limites il est demandé d'exécuter la décision;
 c) lorsque la demande relève du paragraphe 2, un exposé des faits sur lesquels se fonde l'État partie requérant et une description des mesures demandées.


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4. Les décisions ou mesures prévues aux paragraphes 1 et 2 sont prises par l'État partie requis conformément à son droit interne et selon les dispositions dudit droit, et conformément à ses règles de procédure ou à tout traité, accord ou arrangement bilatéral ou multilatéral le liant à l'État partie requérant.
 5. Chaque État partie remet au secrétaire général de l'Organisation des Nations unies une copie de ses lois et règlements qui donnent effet au présent article ainsi qu'une copie de toute modification ultérieurement apportée à ces lois et règlements ou une description de ces lois, règlements et modifications ultérieures.
 6. Si un État partie décide de subordonner l'adoption des mesures visées aux paragraphes 1 et 2 à l'existence d'un traité en la matière, il considère la présente convention comme une base conventionnelle nécessaire et suffisante.
 7. Un État partie peut refuser de donner suite à une demande de coopération en vertu du présent article dans le cas où l'infraction à laquelle elle se rapporte n'est pas une infraction visée par la présente convention.
 8. L'interprétation des dispositions du présent article ne doit en aucun cas porter atteinte aux droits des tiers de bonne foi.
 9. Les États parties envisagent de conclure des traités, accords ou arrangements bilatéraux ou multilatéraux afin de renforcer l'efficacité de la coopération internationale instaurée aux fins du présent article.
 Article 14
 Disposition du produit du crime ou des biens confisqués
 1. Un État partie qui confisque le produit du crime ou des biens en application de l'article 12 ou de l'article 13, paragraphe 1, de la présente convention en dispose conformément à son droit interne et à ses procédures administratives.
 2. Lorsque les États parties agissent à la demande d'un autre État partie en application de l'article 13 de la présente convention, ils doivent, dans la mesure où leur droit interne le leur permet et si la demande leur en est faite, envisager à titre prioritaire de restituer le produit du crime ou les biens confisqués à l'État partie requérant, afin que ce dernier puisse indemniser les victimes de l'infraction ou restituer ce produit du crime ou ces biens à leurs propriétaires légitimes.
 3. Lorsqu'un État partie agit à la demande d'un autre État partie en application des articles 12 et 13 de la présente convention, il peut envisager spécialement de conclure des accords ou arrangements prévoyant:
 a) de verser la valeur de ce produit ou de ces biens, ou les fonds provenant de leur vente, ou une partie de ceux-ci, au compte établi en application de l'article 30, paragraphe 2, point c), de la présente convention et à des organismes intergouvernementaux spécialisés dans la lutte contre la criminalité organisée;
 b) de partager avec d'autres États parties, systématiquement ou au cas par cas, ce produit ou ces biens, ou les fonds provenant de leur vente, conformément à son droit interne ou à ses procédures administratives.
 Article 15
 Compétence
 1. Chaque État partie adopte les mesures nécessaires pour établir sa compétence à l'égard des infractions établies


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conformément aux articles 5, 6, 8 et 23 de la présente convention dans les cas suivants:
 a) lorsque l'infraction est commise sur son territoire, ou
 b) lorsque l'infraction est commise à bord d'un navire qui bat son pavillon ou à bord d'un aéronef immatriculé conformément à son droit interne au moment où ladite infraction est commise.
 2. Sous réserve de l'article 4 de la présente convention, un État partie peut également établir sa compétence à l'égard de l'une quelconque de ces infractions dans les cas suivants:
 a) lorsque l'infraction est commise à l'encontre d'un de ses ressortissants;
 b) lorsque l'infraction est commise par un de ses ressortissants ou par une personne apatride résidant habituellement sur son territoire, ou
 c) lorsque l'infraction est:
 i) une de celles établies conformément à l'article 5, paragraphe 1, de la présente convention et est commise hors de son territoire en vue de la commission, sur son territoire, d'une infraction grave;
 ii) une de celles établies conformément à l'article 6, paragraphe 1, point b) ii), de la présente convention et est commise hors de son territoire en vue de la commission, sur son territoire, d'une infraction établie conformément à l'article 6, paragraphe 1, points a) i) ou a) ii), ou b) i), de la présente convention.
 3. Aux fins de l'article 16, paragraphe 10, de la présente convention, chaque État partie adopte les mesures nécessaires pour établir sa compétence à l'égard des infractions visées par la présente convention lorsque l'auteur présumé se trouve sur son territoire et qu'il n'extrade pas cette personne au seul motif qu'elle est l'un de ses ressortissants.
 4. Chaque État partie peut également adopter les mesures nécessaires pour établir sa compétence à l'égard des infractions visées par la présente convention lorsque l'auteur présumé se trouve sur son territoire et qu'il ne l'extrade pas.
 5. Si un État partie qui exerce sa compétence en vertu du paragraphe 1 ou 2 a été avisé, ou a appris de toute autre façon, qu'un ou plusieurs autres États parties mènent une enquête ou ont engagé des poursuites ou une procédure judiciaire concernant le même acte, les autorités compétentes de ces États parties se consultent, selon qu'il convient, pour coordonner leurs actions.
 6. Sans préjudice des normes du droit international général, la présente convention n'exclut pas l'exercice de toute compétence pénale établie par un État partie conformément à son droit interne.
 Article 16
 Extradition
 1. Le présent article s'applique aux infractions visées par la présente convention ou dans les cas où un groupe criminel organisé est impliqué dans une infraction visée à l'article 3, paragraphe 1, point a) ou b), et que la personne faisant l'objet de la demande d'extradition se trouve sur le territoire de l'État partie requis, à condition que l'infraction pour laquelle l'extradition est demandée soit punissable par le droit interne de l'État partie requérant et de l'État partie requis.
 2. Si la demande d'extradition porte sur plusieurs infractions graves distinctes, dont certaines ne sont pas visées par le présent article, l'État partie requis


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peut appliquer également cet article à ces dernières infractions.
 3. Chacune des infractions auxquelles s'applique le présent article est de plein droit incluse dans tout traité d'extradition en vigueur entre les États parties en tant qu'infraction dont l'auteur peut être extradé. Les États parties s'engagent à inclure ces infractions en tant qu'infractions dont l'auteur peut être extradé dans tout traité d'extradition qu'ils concluront entre eux.
 4. Si un État partie qui subordonne l'extradition à l'existence d'un traité reçoit une demande d'extradition d'un État partie avec lequel il n'a pas conclu pareil traité, il peut considérer la présente convention comme la base légale de l'extradition pour les infractions auxquelles le présent article s'applique.
 5. Les États parties qui subordonnent l'extradition à l'existence d'un traité:
 a) au moment du dépôt de leur instrument de ratification, d'acceptation, d'approbation ou d'adhésion à la présente convention, indiquent au secrétaire général de l'Organisation des Nations unies s'ils considèrent la présente convention comme la base légale pour coopérer en matière d'extradition avec d'autres États parties, et
 b) s'ils ne considèrent par la présente convention comme la base légale pour coopérer en matière d'extradition, s'efforcent, s'il y a lieu, de conclure des traités d'extradition avec d'autres États parties afin d'appliquer le présent article.
 6. Les États parties qui ne subordonnent pas l'extradition à l'existence d'un traité reconnaissent entre eux aux infractions auxquelles le présent article s'applique le caractère d'infraction dont l'auteur peut être extradé.
 7. L'extradition est subordonnée aux conditions prévues par le droit interne de l'État partie requis ou par les traités d'extradition applicables, y compris, notamment, aux conditions concernant la peine minimale requise pour extrader et aux motifs pour lesquels l'État partie requis peut refuser l'extradition.
 8. Les États parties s'efforcent, sous réserve de leur droit interne, d'accélérer les procédures d'extradition et de simplifier les exigences en matière de preuve y relatives en ce qui concerne les infractions auxquelles s'applique le présent article.
 9. Sous réserve des dispositions de son droit interne et des traités d'extradition qu'il a conclus, l'État partie requis peut, à la demande de l'État partie requérant et s'il estime que les circonstances le justifient et qu'il y a urgence, placer en détention une personne présente sur son territoire dont l'extradition est demandée ou prendre à son égard toutes autres mesures appropriées pour assurer sa présence lors de la procédure d'extradition.
 10. Un État partie sur le territoire duquel se trouve l'auteur présumé de l'infraction, s'il n'extrade pas cette personne au titre d'une infraction à laquelle s'applique le présent article au seul motif qu'elle est l'un de ses ressortissants, est tenu, à la demande de l'État partie requérant l'extradition, de soumettre l'affaire sans retard excessif à ses autorités compétentes aux fins de poursuites. Lesdites autorités prennent leur décision et mènent les poursuites de la même manière que pour toute autre infraction grave en vertu du droit interne de cet État partie. Les États parties intéressés coopèrent entre eux, notamment en matière de procédure et de preuve, afin d'assurer l'efficacité des poursuites.
 11. Lorsqu'un


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État partie, en vertu de son droit interne, n'est autorisé à extrader ou remettre de toute autre manière l'un de ses ressortissants que si cette personne est ensuite renvoyée dans cet État partie pour purger la peine prononcée à l'issue du procès ou de la procédure à l'origine de la demande d'extradition ou de remise, et lorsque cet État partie et l'État partie requérant s'accordent sur cette option et d'autres conditions qu'ils peuvent juger appropriées, cette extradition ou remise conditionnelle est suffisante aux fins de l'exécution de l'obligation énoncée au paragraphe 10.
 12. Si l'extradition, demandée aux fins d'exécution d'une peine, est refusée parce que la personne faisant l'objet de cette demande est un ressortissant de l'État partie requis, celui-ci, si son droit interne le lui permet, en conformité avec les prescriptions de ce droit et à la demande de l'État partie requérant, envisage de faire exécuter lui-même la peine qui a été prononcée conformément au droit interne de l'État partie requérant, ou le reliquat de cette peine.
 13. Toute personne faisant l'objet de poursuites en raison de l'une quelconque des infractions auxquelles le présent article s'applique se voit garantir un traitement équitable à tous les stades de la procédure, y compris la jouissance de tous les droits et de toutes les garanties prévus par le droit interne de l'État partie sur le territoire duquel elle se trouve.
 14. Aucune disposition de la présente convention ne doit être interprétée comme faisant obligation à l'État partie requis d'extrader s'il a de sérieuses raisons de penser que la demande a été présentée aux fins de poursuivre ou de punir une personne en raison de son sexe, de sa race, de sa religion, de sa nationalité, de son origine ethnique ou de ses opinions politiques, ou que donner suite à cette demande causerait un préjudice à cette personne pour l'une quelconque de ces raisons.
 15. Les États parties ne peuvent refuser une demande d'extradition au seul motif que l'infraction est considérée comme touchant aussi à des questions fiscales.
 16. Avant de refuser l'extradition, l'État partie requis consulte, le cas échéant, l'État partie requérant afin de lui donner toute possibilité de présenter ses opinions et de donner des informations à l'appui de ses allégations.
 17. Les États parties s'efforcent de conclure des accords ou arrangements bilatéraux et multilatéraux pour permettre l'extradition ou pour en accroître l'efficacité.
 Article 17
 Transfert des personnes condamnées
 Les États parties peuvent envisager de conclure des accords ou arrangements bilatéraux ou multilatéraux relatifs au transfert sur leur territoire de personnes condamnées à des peines d'emprisonnement ou autres peines privatives de liberté du fait d'infractions visées par la présente convention afin qu'elles puissent y purger le reste de leur peine.
 Article 18
 Entraide judiciaire
 1. Les États parties s'accordent mutuellement l'entraide judiciaire la plus large possible lors des enquêtes, poursuites et procédures judiciaires concernant les infractions visées par la présente convention, comme prévu à l'article 3, et s'accordent réciproquement une entraide similaire lorsque l'État partie requérant a des motifs raisonnables de


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soupçonner que l'infraction visée à l'article 3, paragraphe 1, point a) ou b), est de nature transnationale, y compris quand les victimes, les témoins, le produit, les instruments ou les éléments de preuve de ces infractions se trouvent dans l'État partie requis et qu'un groupe criminel organisé y est impliqué.
 2. L'entraide judiciaire la plus large possible est accordée, autant que les lois, traités, accords et arrangements pertinents de l'État partie requis le permettent, lors des enquêtes, poursuites et procédures judiciaires concernant des infractions dont une personne morale peut être tenue responsable dans l'État partie requérant, conformément à l'article 10 de la présente convention.
 3. L'entraide judiciaire qui est accordée en application du présent article peut être demandée aux fins suivantes:
 a) recueillir des témoignages ou des dépositions;
 b) signifier des actes judiciaires;
 c) effectuer des perquisitions et des saisies, ainsi que des gels;
 d) examiner des objets et visiter des lieux;
 e) fournir des informations, des pièces à conviction et des estimations d'experts;
 f) fournir des originaux ou des copies certifiées conformes de documents et dossiers pertinents, y compris des documents administratifs, bancaires, financiers ou commerciaux et des documents de sociétés;
 g) identifier ou localiser des produits du crime, des biens, des instruments ou d'autres choses afin de recueillir des éléments de preuve;
 h) faciliter la comparution volontaire de personnes dans l'État partie requérant;
 i) fournir tout autre type d'assistance compatible avec le droit interne de l'État partie requis.
 4. Sans préjudice de son droit interne, les autorités compétentes d'un État partie peuvent, sans demande préalable, communiquer des informations concernant des affaires pénales à une autorité compétente d'un autre État partie, si elles pensent que ces informations pourraient l'aider à entreprendre ou à conclure des enquêtes et des poursuites pénales, ou amener ce dernier État partie à formuler une demande en vertu de la présente convention.
 5. La communication d'informations conformément au paragraphe 4 se fait sans préjudice des enquêtes et poursuites pénales dans l'État dont les autorités compétentes fournissent les informations. Les autorités compétentes qui reçoivent ces informations accèdent à toute demande tendant à ce que lesdites informations restent confidentielles, même temporairement, ou à ce que leur utilisation soit assortie de restrictions. Toutefois, cela n'empêche pas l'État partie qui reçoit les informations de révéler, lors de la procédure judiciaire, des informations à la décharge d'un prévenu. Dans ce dernier cas, l'État partie qui reçoit les informations avise l'État partie qui les communique avant la révélation et, s'il lui en est fait la demande, consulte ce dernier. Si, dans un cas exceptionnel, une notification préalable n'est pas possible, l'État partie qui reçoit les informations informe sans retard de la révélation l'État partie qui les communique.
 6. Les dispositions du présent article n'affectent en rien les obligations découlant de tout autre traité bilatéral ou multilatéral régissant ou devant régir, entièrement ou partiellement, l'entraide judiciaire.
 7. Les paragraphes 9 à 29 sont applicables aux demandes faites conformément au présent article si les États parties en question ne sont pas liés par


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un traité d'entraide judiciaire. Si lesdits États parties sont liés par un tel traité, les dispositions correspondantes de ce traité sont applicables, à moins que les États parties ne conviennent d'appliquer à leur place les dispositions des paragraphes 9 à 29. Les États parties sont vivement encouragés à appliquer ces paragraphes s'ils facilitent la coopération.
 8. Les États parties ne peuvent invoquer le secret bancaire pour refuser l'entraide judiciaire prévue au présent article.
 9. Les États parties peuvent invoquer l'absence de double incrimination pour refuser de donner suite à une demande d'entraide judiciaire prévue au présent article. L'État partie requis peut néanmoins, lorsqu'il le juge approprié, fournir cette assistance, dans la mesure où il le décide à son gré, indépendamment du fait que l'acte constitue ou non une infraction conformément au droit interne de l'État partie requis.
 10. Toute personne détenue ou purgeant une peine sur le territoire d'un État partie, dont la présence est requise dans un autre État partie à des fins d'identification ou de témoignage ou pour qu'elle apporte de toute autre manière son concours à l'obtention de preuves dans le cadre d'enquêtes, de poursuites ou de procédures judiciaires relatives aux infractions visées par la présente convention, peut faire l'objet d'un transfert si les conditions ci-après sont réunies:
 a) ladite personne y consent librement et en toute connaissance de cause;
 b) les autorités compétentes des deux États parties concernés y consentent, sous réserve des conditions que ces États parties peuvent juger appropriées.
 11. Aux fins du paragraphe 10:
 a) l'État partie vers lequel le transfert est effectué a le pouvoir et l'obligation de garder l'intéressé en détention, sauf demande ou autorisation contraire de la part de l'État partie à partir duquel la personne a été transférée;
 b) l'État partie vers lequel le transfert est effectué s'acquitte sans retard de l'obligation de remettre l'intéressé à la garde de l'État partie à partir duquel le transfert a été effectué, conformément à ce qui aura été convenu au préalable ou à ce que les autorités compétentes des deux États parties auront autrement décidé;
 c) l'État partie vers lequel le transfert est effectué ne peut exiger de l'État partie à partir duquel le transfert est effectué qu'il engage une procédure d'extradition pour que l'intéressé lui soit remis;
 d) il est tenu compte de la période que l'intéressé a passée en détention dans l'État partie vers lequel il a été transféré aux fins du décompte de la peine à purger dans l'État partie à partir duquel il a été transféré.
 12. À moins que l'État partie à partir duquel une personne doit être transférée en vertu des paragraphes 10 et 11 ne donne son accord, ladite personne, quelle que soit sa nationalité, ne sera pas poursuivie, détenue, punie ou soumise à d'autres restrictions à sa liberté de mouvement sur le territoire de l'État partie vers lequel elle est transférée à raison d'actes, d'omissions ou de condamnations antérieurs à son départ du territoire de l'État partie à partir duquel elle a été transférée.


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13. Chaque État partie désigne une autorité centrale qui a la responsabilité et le pouvoir de recevoir les demandes d'entraide judiciaire et, soit de les exécuter, soit de les transmettre aux autorités compétentes pour exécution. Si un État partie a une région ou un territoire spécial doté d'un système d'entraide judiciaire différent, il peut désigner une autorité centrale distincte qui aura la même fonction pour ladite région ou ledit territoire. Les autorités centrales assurent l'exécution ou la transmission rapide et en bonne et due forme des demandes reçues. Si l'autorité centrale transmet la demande à une autorité compétente pour exécution, elle encourage l'exécution rapide et en bonne et due forme de la demande par l'autorité compétente. L'autorité centrale désignée à cette fin fait l'objet d'une notification adressée au secrétaire général de l'Organisation des Nations unies au moment où chaque État partie dépose ses instruments de ratification, d'acceptation ou d'approbation ou d'adhésion à la présente convention. Les demandes d'entraide judiciaire et toute communication y relative sont transmises aux autorités centrales désignées par les États parties. La présente disposition s'entend sans préjudice du droit de tout État partie d'exiger que ces demandes et communications lui soient adressées par voie diplomatique et, en cas d'urgence, si les États parties en conviennent, par l'intermédiaire de l'Organisation internationale de police criminelle, si cela est possible.
 14. Les demandes sont adressées par écrit ou, si possible, par tout autre moyen pouvant produire un document écrit, dans une langue acceptable pour l'État partie requis, dans des conditions permettant audit État partie d'en établir l'authenticité. La ou les langues acceptables pour chaque État partie sont notifiées au secrétaire général de l'Organisation des Nations unies au moment où ledit État partie dépose ses instruments de ratification, d'acceptation ou d'approbation ou d'adhésion à la présente convention. En cas d'urgence et si les États parties en conviennent, les demandes peuvent être faites oralement, mais doivent être confirmées sans délai par écrit.
 15. Une demande d'entraide judiciaire doit contenir les renseignements suivants:
 a) la désignation de l'autorité dont émane la demande;
 b) l'objet et la nature de l'enquête, des poursuites ou de la procédure judiciaire auxquelles se rapporte la demande, ainsi que le nom et les fonctions de l'autorité qui en est chargée;
 c) un résumé des faits pertinents, sauf pour les demandes adressées aux fins de la signification d'actes judiciaires;
 d) une description de l'assistance requise et le détail de toute procédure particulière que l'État partie requérant souhaite voir appliquée;
 e) si possible, l'identité, l'adresse et la nationalité de toute personne visée, et
 f) le but dans lequel le témoignage, les informations ou les mesures sont demandés.
 16. L'État partie requis peut demander un complément d'information lorsque cela apparaît nécessaire pour exécuter la demande conformément à son droit interne ou lorsque cela peut faciliter l'exécution de la demande.
 17. Toute demande est exécutée conformément au droit interne de l'État partie requis et, dans la mesure où cela ne contrevient pas au droit interne de l'État partie requis et lorsque cela est