Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Ratifications of the convention
Signed	18 April 1961
Location	Vienna
Effective	24 April 1964
Condition	Ratification by 22 states
Signatories	60
Parties	189 (as of June 2013)
Depositary	UN Secretary-General
Languages	Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries. It specifies the privileges of a diplomatic mission that enable diplomats to perform their function without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country. This forms the legal basis for diplomatic immunity. Its articles are considered a cornerstone of modern international relations. As of June 2013, it has been ratified by 189 states. The 1961 UN Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations marked its 50th anniversary in April 2011.

History

Throughout the history of sovereign nations, diplomats have enjoyed a special status. Their function to negotiate agreements between states demands certain special privileges. An envoy from another nation is traditionally treated as a guest, their communications with their home nation treated as confidential, and their freedom from coercion and subjugation by the host nation treated as essential.

The first attempt to codify diplomatic immunity into diplomatic law occurred with the Congress of Vienna in 1815. This was followed much later by the Convention regarding Diplomatic Officers (Havana, 1928).

The present treaty on the treatment of diplomats was the outcome of a draft by the International Law Commission. The treaty was adopted on 18 April 1961, by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria, and first implemented on 24 April 1964. The same Conference also adopted the Optional Protocol concerning Acquisition of Nationality, the Optional Protocol concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, the Final Act and four resolutions annexed to that Act.

Two years later, the United Nations adopted a closely related treaty, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Summary of provisions

The treaty is an extensive document, containing 53 articles. Following is a basic overview of its key provisions. For a comprehensive enumeration of all articles, consult the original text.

• Article 9. The host nation may at any time and for any reason declare a particular member of the diplomatic staff to be persona non grata. The sending state must recall this person within a reasonable period of time, or otherwise this person may lose their diplomatic immunity.
• Article 22. The premises of a diplomatic mission, such as an embassy, are inviolate and must not be entered by the host country except by permission of the head of the mission. Furthermore, the host country must protect the mission from intrusion or damage. The host country must never search the premises, nor seize its documents or property. Article 30 extends this provision to the private residence of the diplomats.
• Article 27. The host country must permit and protect free communication between the diplomats of the mission and their home country. A diplomatic bag must never be opened even on suspicion of abuse. A diplomatic courier must never be arrested or detained.
• Article 29. Diplomats must not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. They are immune from civil or criminal prosecution, though the sending country may waive this right under Article 32. Under Article 34, they are exempt from most taxes, and under Article 36 they are exempt from most customs duties.
• Article 31.1c Actions not covered by diplomatic immunity: professional activity outside diplomat's official functions.
• Article 37. The family members of a diplomat that are living in the host country enjoy most of the same protections as the diplomats themselves.

Optional protocols

In the same year that the treaty was adopted, two amendment protocols were added. Countries may ratify the main treaty without necessarily ratifying these optional agreements.

• Concerning acquisition of nationality. The head of the mission, the staff of the mission, and their families, shall not acquire the nationality of the receiving country.
• Concerning compulsory settlement of disputes. Disputes arising from the interpretation of this treaty may be brought before the International Court of Justice.

State parties to the convention

  States ratified the convention

As of June 2013, there are 189 state parties to the convention. The states which have neither signed nor ratified the convention are: Antigua and Barbuda, Cook Islands, Niue, Republic of Palau, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Republic of Vanuatu and the states with limited recognition. There are no states that have signed the treaty but have not ratified it.

See also

• Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963)
• Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (1969)
• Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or Between International Organizations (1986)
• Vienna Conventions for a list of other conventions
• Diplomatic immunity
• Embassy
• Consulate

External links

• Original text related to this article
• Diplomatic Relations Protocols
• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 50th Anniversary Website Created by the 2011 VCDR 50th Anniversary Project
• Introductory note by Eileen Denza, procedural history note and audiovisual material on the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in the Historic Archives of the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law
• Lecture by Eileen Denza entitled Diplomatic and Consular Law – Topical Issues in the Lecture Series of the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law
• Lecture by John Dugard entitled Diplomatic Protection in the Lecture Series of the United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law