Agreement between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the International Organization
for Migration on the Legal Status, the Privileges and Immunities of the Organization
in the Netherlands
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (hereinafter called the Government),
on the one hand, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) (hereinafter
called the Organization), on the other hand,
Bearing in mind that Article 27 of the Constitution of the Organization confers juridical
personality on the Organization and such legal capacity as may be necessary for the
exercise of its functions and the fulfilment of its purpose, and that the Organization
and its staff should enjoy privileges and immunities as provided for in Article 28
of the Constitution,
Have agreed on the following provisions:
Article 1
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
Article 2
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Organization shall possess juridical personality. It shall have the capacity:
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a. to contract;
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b. to acquire and dispose of immovable and movable property;
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c. to receive and disburse private and public funds;
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d. to institute legal proceedings.
Article 3
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The archives of the Organization shall be inviolable. The term "archives" includes
all records, correspondence, documents, manuscripts, photographs, films and recordings
belonging to or held by the Organization.
Article 4
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The premises of the Mission of the Organization shall be inviolable subject to the
provisions of Article 16 of this Agreement. Any person authorized to enter any place
under any legal provision or on the strength of the law as described in the said Article
16 shall not exercise that authority in respect of the premises of the Mission of
the Organization unless permission to do so has been given by or on behalf of the
Chief of Mission. Such permission shall be assumed in case of fire or other disaster
requiring prompt protective action. In the other cases, the Chief of Mission or the
person acting on his behalf shall give permission if it is possible to do so without
prejudicing the interests of the Organization.
Article 5
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
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2 The Organization's property and assets wherever situated shall be immune from any
form of requisition, confiscation, expropriation and sequestration.
They shall also be immune from any form of administrative or provisional judicial
constraint, except insofar as may be temporarily necessary in connection with the
prevention of, and investigation into, accidents involving motor vehicles belonging
to, or operated on behalf of the Organization.
Article 6
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
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1 Within the scope of its official activities, the Organization and its assets, income
and other property shall be exempt from all direct taxes. Direct taxes include income
tax, capital tax, corporation tax and direct taxes levied by local authorities.
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3 The Organization shall be accorded a refund of value added tax paid on the supply
of goods or services of considerable value - with the exception of motor vehicles
- necessary for the official activities of the Organization.
In this connection, it is envisaged that claims for refund will be made only in respect
of goods or services supplied on a recurring basis or involving considerable expenditure
such as the furnishing of the premises of the Mission of the Organization. The Organization
shall be accorded a refund of the excise duty element included in the price of spirits
and hydrocarbons such as fuel oils and motor fuels purchased by the Organization and
necessary for its official activities.
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7 No exemption shall be granted under the preceding sections, in respect of goods purchased
or imported, or services provided, for the personal benefit of the staffmembers of
the Organization.
Article 7
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Organization may receive and hold any kind of funds, currency, cash or securities.
It may dispose of them freely for any purpose in accordance with its official activities
and hold accounts in any currency to the extent required to meet its obligations.
Article 8
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
Article 9
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The circulation of publications and other information material sent by or to the Organization
shall not be restricted in any way.
Article 10
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Director General and the Deputy Director General of the Organization shall enjoy
in the Netherlands the privileges and immunities to which a diplomatic agent is entitled,
unless in either case he is a Netherlands national. In the latter case, he shall enjoy
the privileges and immunities of Article 11 a and b.
Article 11
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The staff members of the Organization:
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a. shall have (even after they have left the service of the Organization) immunity from
jurisdiction in respect of acts done by them in the exercise of their functions, including
words written or spoken. This immunity shall not, however, apply in the case of a
motor traffic offence committed by a staff member nor in the case of damage caused
by a motor vehicle belonging to or driven by him;
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b. shall enjoy inviolability for all their official papers and documents.
Article 12
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
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1 The Chief of Mission shall be exempt from Netherlands income tax on his salary and
emoluments paid by the Organization. In the case of disability to function or absence
for more than three months the exemption shall apply to the deputy Chief of Mission.
In the event that the Organization operated a system for the payment of pensions and
annuities to its former Chief of Mission and his deputy and their dependents, the
provisions of this section shall not apply to such pensions and annuities.
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2 In case the Organization decides to appoint as staff members, persons who are not
residents of the Netherlands, the Organization may consult with the Government on
the taxation of the salaries of such staff members.
Article 13
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
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1 The Organization and the staff members as indicated in Article 12, section 1, to whom
the Organization's social security scheme applies, shall be exempted from all compulsory
contributions to the Netherlands social security regulations. Consequently they shall
not be covered against the risks described in the Netherlands social security regulations.
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2 The provisions of section 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the spouse, children and
other relatives belonging to the household of the persons referred to in section 1,
unless they are employed or self-employed in the Netherlands or receive Netherlands
social security benefit.
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3 In case the Organization decides to appoint as staff members, persons who are not
residents of the Netherlands, the Organization may consult with the Government on
the social security status of such staff members.
Article 14
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The staff members of the Organization who do not hold the Netherlands nationality
and who are not permanent residents of the Netherlands:
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a. shall enjoy exemption from all measures restricting immigration and from aliens registration
formalities. Members of their families forming part of their household shall enjoy
the same facilities;
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b. shall not require a work permit;
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c. shall be exempt from all obligations in respect of military service;
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d. shall be given, together with their spouses and relatives dependent on them, the same
repatriation facilities in time of international crisis as officials of comparable
rank of diplomatic missions;
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e. shall, in accordance with the regulations in force, have relief from import duties
and taxes (except payments for services) in respect of their furniture and personal
effects, including one motor vehicle, at the time of first taking up their post in
the Netherlands and the right on the termination of their function in the Netherlands
to export with relief from duties and taxes their furniture and personal effects,
subject, in both cases, to the conditions agreed with the Government.
Article 15
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
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3 The Council of the Organization may waive the immunities of the Director General and
the Deputy Director General. If their immunities are not waived the Council shall,
at the instance of the Government, give serious consideration to submitting the dispute
concerned to an international arbitration tribunal.
Article 16
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Organization shall cooperate at all times with the appropriate authorities in
order to facilitate the proper administration of justice, to ensure the observance
of police regulations and regulations concerning the handling of inflammable material,
public health, labour inspection and other similar national legislation, and to prevent
any abuse of the privileges and immunities and facilities provided for in this Agreement.
The right of the Government to take all precautionary measures in the interests of
its security shall not be prejudiced by any provision in this Agreement.
Article 17
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
Where the Organization enters into contracts (other than contracts concluded in accordance
with staff regulations) the Organization shall include an arbitration clause whereby
any disputes arising out of the interpretation or execution of the contract may at
the request of either party be submitted to private arbitration.
Article 18
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Organization shall, at the instance of the Government, submit to an international
arbitration tribunal any dispute (other than a dispute concerning the interpretation
or application of the Constitution of the Organization or any succeeding Constitution):
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a. arising out of damage caused by the Organization;
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b. involving any other non-contractual responsibility of the Organization;
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c. involving a staff member who can claim immunity from jurisdiction under this Agreement,
if this immunity is not waived.
Article 19
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
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2 The personal identity card which shall be issued by the Organization, stating names,
date and place of birth, nationality, number of passport (aliens only) and bearing
photograph and signature, shall be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Article 20
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
Any dispute between the Government and the Organization concerning the interpretation
or application of this Agreement which is not settled by negotiation shall be submitted
for decision to a tribunal of three arbitrators of whom the first shall be appointed
by the Government, the second by the Organization, and a presiding arbitrator by the
President of the International Court of Justice, unless in any specific case the Parties
agree to resort to a different mode of settlement. Unless the Government and the Organization
decide otherwise, the tribunal shall determine its own procedure. The tribunal shall
reach its decision by a majority of votes. Such decision shall be final and binding
on the Parties to the dispute.
Article 21
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of its signature.
Article 22
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The provisions of this Agreement can be modified or revised at any time by mutual
consent of the Parties. Negotiations thereto shall be conducted at the request of
either Party.
Article 23
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
The Agreement shall cease to be in force twelve months after either of the Parties
shall have given notice in writing to the other of its decision to terminate the Agreement.
Article 24
[Regeling vervallen per 01-06-2012]
With respect to the Kingdom of the Netherlands this Agreement shall apply to the part
of the Kingdom in Europe only.
