Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties - Comments

Article 4 - Convention is not retroactive

A counterpart to this provision is found in article 28 of the Convention, which declares that

treaties generally are not applicable to situations which arose, or ceased to exist,

before their entry into force.

Under article 19 of the Convention, reservations are admissible in connection with the ratification of, or
accession to, a treaty only if not prohibited, or to the extent expressly permitted, by the treaty, and only
if not incompatible with its objects and purposes.