19 Facts About Diplomatic immunity

1.

Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law by which certain foreign government officials are recognized as having legal immunity from the jurisdiction of another country.

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2.

Diplomatic immunity is one of the oldest and most widespread practices in international relations; most civilizations since antiquity have granted some degree of special status to foreign envoys and messengers.

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3.

British Parliament first guaranteed diplomatic immunity to foreign ambassadors under the Diplomatic Privileges Act in 1709, after Count Andrey Matveyev, a Russian resident in London, was subjected to verbal and physical abuse by British bailiffs.

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4.

Upper class of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, diplomatic immunity was an easy concept to understand.

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5.

In modern times, diplomatic immunity continues to provide a means, albeit imperfect, to safeguard diplomatic personnel from any animosity that might arise between nations.

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6.

The United States tends to be generous when granting diplomatic immunity to visiting diplomats, because a large number of US diplomats work in host countries less protective of individual rights.

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7.

Diplomatic immunity returned to Malaysia in May 2014 with his family while the case was still in hearing.

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8.

Diplomatic immunity subsequently returned to South Sudan, where he was suspended from his duties and is to be investigated.

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9.

For example, a Venezuelan general wanted in the United States on drugs charges was arrested in Aruba only to be released after the Venezuelan government protested his diplomatic immunity and threatened sanctions if Aruba did not release him.

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10.

Diplomatic immunity missions have their own regulations, but many require their staff to pay any fines due for parking violations.

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11.

Makharadze's claim of diplomatic immunity created a national outrage in the United States, particularly given Makharadze's previous record of driving offenses: In April 1996, Makharadze had been charged with speeding in Virginia, and four months later, he was detained by District of Columbia police on suspicion of drunk driving.

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12.

Diplomatic immunity left Singapore for Romania three days after the accident.

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13.

An Interpol Red Notice was issued for his arrest and possible extradition notwithstanding the fact that Romania had not waived his diplomatic immunity and had commenced criminal proceedings against him in Romania.

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14.

The US State Department declared him a diplomat and repeatedly requested immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to which Pakistan is a signatory.

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15.

Diplomatic immunity stayed in his post as ambassador until his death due to another traffic collision in Seoul in 2014.

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16.

Diplomatic immunity owns the cars and a drag racing team, and is a member of Qatar's ruling family.

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17.

The US government has not waived the diplomatic immunity afforded to Sacoolas and has stated she would not return to the UK, despite calls by the UK government to do so.

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18.

The court ruled in prosecution's favor and stated that since the defendant had engaged in commercial activity which was different from her official functions, her diplomatic immunity was subject to waiver and hence the defendant's motion to dismiss the case on the basis of lack of subject matter jurisdiction was denied.

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19.

Diplomatic immunity initially denied taking the devices, but after being confronted with security video, Quintero claimed it was purely accidental, gave the devices back, claimed diplomatic immunity and left New Orleans with the Mexican delegation.

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