Practice question
A State signs a treaty subject to ratification. Ratification has not occurred, and the treaty is not in force for it. The State has not made clear an intention not to become a party. It argues that it may deliberately defeat the treaty's object and purpose because signature creates no possible obligation. Under VCLT Article 18(a), which is correct?
- It must refrain from acts defeating the treaty's object and purpose during the stated period, without being treated as bound to perform every treaty provision.
- It is already obliged to perform every provision as though the treaty were in force.
- Signature has no possible legal significance.
- It must ratify every signed treaty.
- Every domestic law is suspended immediately.
Legal references
- Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969), Articles 2, 18, 26–27, 31–32, 34: https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/1_1_1969.pdf
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