Diplomatic Immunity


Definition of Diplomatic Immunity

Diplomatic immunity provides foreign representatives a measure of protection from legal prosecution in the nation in which they work.

Diplomatic immunity reflects the idea that foreign diplomats may not understand all the laws of the countries in which they work and, in the interests of facilitating relationships between countries, foreign diplomats are granted some immunities.



Diplomatic Immunity Explained

In many countries, diplomatic immunity is afforded in varying degrees. Typically, the higher the rank of the foreign diplomat, the stronger the protections that the host country offers.

Diplomatic immunity is an attempt to offset some of the vulnerabilities that a foreign diplomat experiences while residing in, and working in, a host country. Without diplomatic immunity, nations may hesitate to send their representatives to a host country for fear that the diplomat could be held as a political prisoner.





Articles related to Criminal Law