Diplomatic Immunity Essay

820 Words4 Pages
A diplomat is a person appointed by a country to represent them abroad . They protect their interests as well as negotiate and mediate relations between the two governments. Diplomats generally live in the countries they are trying to communicate with, usually residing in that country’s embassy. These embassies are usually placed close to local government buildings and offices. Diplomats are responsible for many things including: developing commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations between the two countries, providing consular services such as issuing passports, visas, and travel documents, and acting as spokespersons for their home country. In order to carry out their duties properly diplomats and consuls are given diplomatic immunity in their host countries. They cannot be tried or prosecuted under the host countries laws, and can only be expelled back to their home country. If the diplomat commits a criminal or civil crime, the home country has the right to prosecute the individual under its own laws and regulations or can decide to waive the immunity. The concept of diplomatic immunity has a long and complex history that was established at The Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations in 1961. This Convention codifies the rules for the exchange and treatment of diplomats between different countries, and has been adopted by 179 nations worldwide. Under Article 29 diplomats are given immunity from civil and criminal prosecution in their host countries. Article 37 then grants these rights and protections to the families of the diplomats The convention provides immunity to persons according to their rank in a diplomatic mission or consular post. Diplomats are divided into four ranks: ambassadors, envoys, ministers, and charge d’affaires. Administrative and technical staff members of embassies have a lower level of immunity than diplomatic agents
Open Document