Index to International law applicable to Namibia – current to 1 January 2023 
The NAMLEX APPENDIX includes the following multilateral agreements:
- International agreements binding on Namibia: These international agreements are fully binding on Namibia because they have been signed and ratified or acceded to by Namibia (or otherwise accepted) and are in force internationally.
- International agreements which will become binding on Namibia as soon as they come into force internationally: These are international agreements which have already been ratified or acceded to (or otherwise accepted) by Namibia, but have not yet satisfied the conditions of the international agreement for coming into force (often a minimum number of parties). While these agreements are not yet binding on Namibia, Namibia has taken all the necessary steps to express its consent to be bound to their terms as soon as they enter into force internationally.
These treaties are indicated with an asterisk (*). - International agreements signed but not yet ratified by Namibia: These are not binding on Namibia, regardless of whether or not they are in force internationally. They are listed here because signature of an international agreement indicates an intention to become a party to the agreement at some future point and prohibits acts in contravention of the object and purpose of the treaty.
These treaties are indicated with a double-asterisk (**). - Pre-independence treaties that appear to be binding on Namibia: The positon of pre-independence treaties is discussed in detail in the accompanying Background Information document. Additional information on the date from which such treaties bind Namibia, or the method by which Namibia has become, or continues to be, a party to them, is provided in the “Notes” in each such treaty entry.
These treaties are indicated by a cross (†).
The NAMLEX APPENDIX does NOT include;
-
- bilateral agreements;
- binding international law instruments that are not agreements (such as United Nations Security Council Resolutions); or
- non-binding international documents (such as memoranda of understanding).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Namlex Appendix and its updates were conceived, co-ordinated and edited by Dianne Hubbard of the Legal Assistance Centre.
The Legal Assistance Centre gratefully acknowledges the work of Felix Lüth and Laura Halonen, the primary authors of the original version of the Appendix, who generously provided their expertise on a volunteer basis.
The supplementary information on amendments was added by Dianne Hubbard for the 2020 update. We also thank Klaus Striewe, who supplemented and updated information on a volunteer basis, assisted by Felicitas Rachinger, Lauren Taiclet, Jasmijn de Zeeuw and Hannah Wirtz, for the 2020 update.
The additions for the 2022 update were drafted by Klaus Striewe and Lea-Theresa Voss, and edited by Dianne Hubbard.
BACKGROUND
This background document contains general information on the various ways in which treaties have become binding on Namibia, both before and after independence.
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