International treaties (FOI)

​Request

According to the current 2011 Island Plan and previous Island plans it is claimed that "the Island is subject to more than 350 international treaties, conventions and protocols, which carry legal and moral commitments as well as rights and obligations under international law."

The statement continues to explain that there are some with environmental relevance to the Island but also that "there are other agreements covering social and economic matters, such as Human Rights Law, which will impact indirectly on the planning system and thus need to be taken into account."

I am asking for:

A

Confirmation of the number of international treaties, obligations and protocols that now apply to Jersey.

B

For a comprehensive list of these

C

For a list of those particularly relevant to the Island Plan

D

For a list of those other agreements which will impact indirectly on the planning system and need to be taken into account.

E

I also want to know which States' departments have responsibility for publishing information about these international treaties.

Response

A and B

There are approximately 350 international treaties that extend to the Island. The Ministry for External Relations is currently undertaking a project to detail which treaties have been extended. Those international treaties that have so far been confirmed as extending to Jersey are listed on the Jersey Law website at:

Treaties and Conventions

C

International treaties, obligations and protocols that are particularly relevant to the Island Plan are as follows:

• African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA)

• Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern)

• Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD)

• Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn)

• Agreement on the Conservation of European Bats (EUROBATS)

• Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe (Granada)

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto)

• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

• Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage of Europe (Valletta)

D

Other agreements which will impact indirectly on the planning system and need to be taken into account are as follows:

• Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Convention (ESPOO)

• European Convention on Human Rights

E

The Ministry for External Relations currently has responsibility for publishing information regarding which international treaties have been extended to the Island.