b. To exchange information and consider effective administrative measures for the purpose of protecting the persons to whom Article 2 of this convention refers. c. To guarantee to every person deprived of his freedom through the application of this convention every right to defend himself. d. To endeavor to have the criminal acts contemplated in this convention included in their penal laws, if not already so included. e. To comply most expeditiously with the requests for extradition concerning the criminals acts contemplated in this convention. ARTICLE 9 This convention shall remain open for signature by the member states of the Organization of American States, as well as by any other state that is a member of the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies, or any state that is a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, or any other state that may be invited by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States to sign it. ARTICLE 10 This convention shall be ratified by the signatory stages in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures. ARTICLE 11 The original instrument of this convention, the English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish texts of which are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States, which shall send certified copies to the signatory governments for purposes of ratification. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited in the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States, which shall notify the signatory governments of such deposit. ARTICLE 12 This convention shall enter into force among the states that ratify it when they deposit their respective instruments of ratification. ARTICLE 13 This convention shall remain in force indefinitely, but any of the contracting states may denounce it. The denunciation shall be transmitted to the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States which shall notify the other contracting states thereof. One year following the denunciation, the convention shall cease to be in force for the denouncing state, but shall continue to be in force for the other contracting states. STATEMENT OF PANAMA The Delegation of Panama states for the record that nothing in this convention shall be interpreted to the effect that the right of asylum implies the right to request asylum from the United States authorities in the Panama Canal Zone, or that there is recognition of the right of the United States to grant asylum or political refuge in that part of the territory of the Republic of Panama that constitutes the Canal Zone. In WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned plenipotentiaries, having presented their full powers, which have been found to be in due and proper form, sign this convention on behalf of their respective governments, at the city of Washington this second day of February of the year one thousand nine hundred seventy-one. B. REGIONAL INTEGRATION 1. Organization of Central American States (ODECA) a. Description (ORGANIZACIÓN DE ESTADOS CENTRO AMERICANOS-ODECA ) OFICINA CENTROAMERICANA, PINO ALTO, PASEO ESCALÓN, SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR Founded in 1951 by the Charter of San Salvador, ODECA seeks to re-establish the unity of Central America. A new Charter became effective in 1965. 1. To strengthen the bonds which unite the states of Central America. 2. To establish mutual consultation in order to guarantee and maintain fraternal relations. 3. To forestall and prevent misunderstandings and to ensure the peaceful settlement of disputes. 4. To offer mutual assistance and to seek common solutions to common problems. 5. To promote economic, social and cultural development through joint action. ORGANIZATION THE MEETING OF HEADS OF GOVERNMENT The Heads of Government of the five member states in conference form the supreme organ of the Organization of Central American States. THE CONFERENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTERS The Conference of Foreign Ministers is the principal organ of the Organization. Meetings, at which each member state has one vote, normally take place every year; extraordinary meetings may be held at the request of not less than three members. It's function is to initiate proposals, to consider recommendations and proposals made by the Economic Council and to elect the Secretary-General. It may also convene meetings of other Ministers to discuss particular problems which call for collective study and planning. 83-877 0-72-17 THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL The Executive Council is composed of the Foreign Ministers of the five republics or their appointed representatives. Its function is to direct and co-ordinate the policy of the Organization, and to elect the Secretary-General. It is a permanent body, meeting at least once a week. The President is elected annually. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL The Legislative Council is composed to three members of each of the Legislative Assemblies of the member states. Its function is to advise on legislative matters; it is also to study the possibilities of uniform legislation in the Central American Republics. Meetings are held once a year; extraordinary meetings may be convened by the Executive Council at the request of at least two member states. CENTRAL AMERICAN COURT OF JUSTICE Composed of the Presidents of the Supreme Courts of each member state. Meetings are held whenever necessary, or when convened by the Executive Council. THE ECONOMIC COUNCIL The Economic Council is composed of the Ministers of Economy of the member countries and meets at least once a year. Its functions are the planning, co-ordination and execution of Central American economic integration. All Central American integration organizations will form part of the Council. CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL COUNCIL Formed by the Ministers of Education of the member states or their representatives. THE DEFENCE COUNCIL Composed of the Ministers of Defence of member states. Advises on regional defence and joint security of members. THE CENTRAL AMERICAN BUREAU The General Secretariat has its seat in San Salvador. Its functions are to co-ordinate the work of the organs of ODECA, to assist them and to prepare and distribute information. The Secretary-General is elected for a non-renewable period of four years by the Executive Council. PUBLICATIONS Boletin Informativo de la ODECA (monthly). Memoria (every two years). Reports on activities of ODECA. NOTE. Reproduced with permission of The Europa Yearbook-1972. Vol. I. Europa Publications Limited, 1972. b. Charter of the Organization of Central American States (ODECA) CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES [Translation] The Governments of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, WHEREAS: It is necessary to provide the five States with a more effective instrument by establishing organs which assure their economic and social progress, eliminate the barriers which divide them, improve constantly the living conditions of their peoples, guarantee the stability and expansion of industry, and strengthen Central American solidarity, THEREFORE: The above mentioned Governments decide to replace the Charter signed on October 14, 1951, in San Salvador, Republic of El Salvador, by the following CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES: PURPOSES Article 1. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are an economic-political community which aspires to the integration of Central America. For this purpose the Organization of Central American States (ODECA) has been established. ORGANS Article 2. To achieve the purposes of the Organization of Central American States, the following Organs are established: (a) The Meeting of Heads of State; (b) The Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs; (c) The Executive Council; (d) The Legislative Council; (e) The Central American Court of Justice; PRINCIPAL ORGAN Article 3. The Meeting of Heads of State is the Supreme Organ of the Organization. The Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs is the Principal Organ. The Executive Council is the Permanent Organ of the Organization. Its seat shall be in the city of San Salvador. Article 4. The Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs shall meet ordinarily once each year, and extraordinarily whenever at least three of them deem it necessary. |