Members of their immediate family are also affected.ĭiplomats who represent their country abroad are immune from prosecution under diplomatic immunity. A host country can also force a recall if they suspect someone is being dishonest.Ī Diplomatic Agent, for example, is a high-ranking embassy official (ambassadors for example) who serves as a point of contact for their host country’s officials on behalf of their home country. Diplomats are typically subject to sanctions at home. In most cases, countries are hesitant to take this step. In practice, foreign governments generally do not waive diplomatic immunity when their representative is charged with a serious crime unrelated to their diplomatic duties or is compelled to testify as a witness.Ī diplomat’s immunity may be revoked by the host country and he or she may be charged with a crime. Debt collection is the most serious form of abuse of diplomatic immunity, not petty crime.

The host country will not prosecute diplomats for criminal charges or most civil suits, in addition to their immunity from criminal prosecution. Diplomatic immunity protects the location of a diplomatic mission from search and seizure. There’s a field day at the tabloids with fugitive ambassadors who claim immunity. In addition, diplomatic immunity does not protect diplomats from civil lawsuits, and they can be sued in court just like anyone else. For example, if a diplomat is suspected of a crime, the police may investigate and even arrest the diplomat. However, there are limits to diplomatic immunity, and police can ignore it in certain circumstances.

In diplomatic immunity, diplomats are given certain legal protections so that they can do their jobs without fear of arrest or other legal action.

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