Draft Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Netherlands: Amendment to Article 7

A/CONF.2/33

In view of the fact that the meaning of the words "domicile" and "residence" under Anglo-Saxon law is completely different from that continental law understands by these terms, it is proposed to redraft Article 7 as follows:

"1. The personal status of a refugee shall be governed by the law of the country of his habitual residence or, if he has no habitual residence, by the law of the country of his residence.

"2. Rights dependent on personal status, more particularly rights attaching to marriage, previously acquired by a refugee, shall be respected by a Contracting State, subject to compliance, if this be necessary, with the formalities prescribed by the law of the country of his habitual residence or, if he has no habitual residence, by the law of the country of his residence."