Speech #900316977

The United States would be able to withdraw its accession to the Protocol at any time by a notification addressed to the Secretary General. Withdrawal would take effect one year from the date of such notification. As concerns refugees rights within Contracting States. the general approach of the Protocol is to provide that refugees in each acceding country are to be accorded due process of law and. as specified. are to be treated without discrimination either as compared with other refugees. with other aliens or with nations. Among the most significant matters in which refugees would be guaranteed treatment comparable to that accorded other aliens are selfemployment (Article 18 of the Convention). the practice of liberal professions (Article 19). housing. to the extent regulated by laws or regulations or controlled by public authorities (Article 21). public education above the elementary level (Article 22. paragraph 2). and freedom of movement (Article 26) within the territory of the Contracting State. Refugees are to receive treatment equivalent to the most favorable treatment accorded to nationals of a foreign country (most favored nation treatment) as regards the right to participate in trade unions and other nonpolitical and nonprofitmaking associations (Article 15) and the right to engage in wageearning employment (Article 17. paragraph 1). The Protocol provides for refugees to receive treatment comparable to that given nationals in such matters as freedom in the practice of religion and in the religious education of their children (Article 4). free access to courts (Article 16). the protection of industrial property and of artistic. literary and scientific copyrights (Article 14). elementary education (Article 22. paragraph 1). public relief and assistance (Article 23). workmens compensation and other benefits under labor and social security laws (Article 24). and the imposition of taxes. duties and other charges by Contracting States (Article 29). Most of these are rights and benefits comparable to those normally provided to nonrefugee aliens in treaties of friendship. commerce and navigation and other treaties. There is also provision (Article 28) for the issuance of a refugee travel document to facilitate travel abroad with the right of return within specified time limits. United States accession to the Protocol would not impinge adversely upon the laws of this country. By virtue of Article VI of the Protocol. the United States would assume obligations only in respect of matters that come within the legislative jurisdiction of the Federal Government.