On May 31, 2000, the People's Republic of China deposited with the Swiss Federal Council a declaration on the applicability of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols I and II to the Special Administrative Region of Macao. Pursuant to this declaration, the Conventions and Protocols are applicable to the Special Administrative Region of Macao from December 20, 1999.
Niue: As evidenced by paragraph 10(1) read together with sub-paragraph 10(3)(b) of New Zealand's 1958 Geneva Conventions Act adopted in anticipation of New Zealand's accessions (2 May 1959) to the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949, Niue's Geneva Conventions Act 1958 (published most recently in Niue Laws 2006, vol. 2, p. 877), bearing in mind the rule as expressed in Article 29 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and following discussions with relevant authorities, the International Committee of the Red Cross considers that the 1959 New Zealand accessions cover the territory of Niue.
On November 22, 1999, the Portuguese Republic has filed with the Swiss Federal Council a statement on the application of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and Additional Protocols I and II in Macau. In accordance with this statement, the Portuguese no longer assumes the rights and obligations of the Conventions and Protocols to Macao with effect from 20 December 1999.
With letters dated 13 June 1997, the British Ambassador to Switzerland deposited the following declaration:
"I am instructed by Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to refer to the [four Geneva Conventions] (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention") which apply to Hong Kong at present. I am also instructed to state that, in accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong signed on 19 December 1984, the Government of the United Kingdom will restore Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China with effect from 1 July 1997. The Government of the United Kingdom will continue to have international responsibility for Hong Kong until that date. Therefore, from that date the Government of the United Kingdom will cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from application of the Convention to Hong Kong."
Declaration made upon ratification:
"The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will apply each of the above-mentioned Conventions in the British Protected States of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the Trucial States to the extent of Her Majesty's powers in relation to those territories."