Diplomatic Immunity

helimachoptor

Hi guys just a question, What immunity (if any) do dimplomats from other countries have here?

i.e. do they get speeding tickets, will they get charged for theft, assault or murder fi they commit such a crime?

hada

diplomats by their very nature, are complete diplomatic immunity from prosecution by the state in which they are working in.

for example, a good friend of mine used to work in the dept. of foreign affairs and had to, as most do in that line of business, attend dinner parties twice a week or so. Of course, the various diplomats around dublin would attend and have a tipple or two and eventually drive home.

Therefore, quite often, a member of the gardai on duty would see the obvious signs of a drunk driver on the road. However on seeing the sticker that all diplomats carry on their cars, the only course of action they could do was try to cautiously persuade the later to realise he was over the limit. However, if the diplomat believed he was OK to drive, then the gardai could do little but let him drive off.


Funnily enough, a recent survey was carried out on the types of crimes committed by diplomats and their families (who have immunity also). And what was found to be the most common?? Theft on behalf of the diplomats spouses!! The reasoning given for this was that there supposedly is fierce competition among all the diplomat's spouses to have the latest fashions etc at these dinner parties and functions, hence they resort to theft of clothes, jewellery etc!


on a side note, there are some reported cases whereby diplomats have been prosecuted, but this has only been in cases of gross violence, degradation on behalf of the diplomat to a national, whereby both relevant states agree that prosecution of the diplomat is in the public interest. See the case (from memory) of the south American diplomat (Brazil/Argentina??..) who was considerably over the legal limit and ended up killing a young teenage girl in a horrific road traffic accident.

hope that clears things up for you!

helimachoptor

Thanks!

mountainyman

A similar case was that of the American ambassador who killed a young boy while driving.
He left Ireland.

In many countries DPL cars are clamped and ticketed etc.

IRISH RAIL

In Israel ( esp Tel Aviv ) dp cars are all over the place if a soilder gets into one he can be charged with treason.

remember the greek ? diplomats son who attacked a girl here think he was greek.
most of the time they end up resigning when something serious happens.
but they can be expelled from the country they may be immune from prosecution here but they have to abide by there own countrys laws.

helimachoptor

IRISH RAIL wrote: »

In Israel ( esp Tel Aviv ) dp cars are all over the place if a soilder gets into one he can be charged with treason.

Are the considered an extension of the embassy i.e. if you get into a German embassy car are you now on German "soil"?

monaghanbiffo

If i could direct you to Leathal Weapon 2 starring Mel Gibson.

This film gives a detailed account of the legalities in and around Diplomatic Immunity

The Diplomat in question being from Sou Ifrika

helimachoptor

monaghanbiffo wrote: »

If i could direct you to Leathal Weapon 2 starring Mel Gibson.

This film gives a detailed account of the legalities in and around Diplomatic Immunity

The Diplomat in question being from Sou Ifrika

Thats what made me think of this question!:D

ast

I never really liked the plot of Leathal Weapon 2 the guy would have been a consular official so he would not have had diplomatic immunity. Sort of spoiled the film for me.

IRISH RAIL

helimachoptor wrote: »

Are the considered an extension of the embassy i.e. if you get into a German embassy car are you now on German "soil"?

Not sure anyone even tought of that though it does make an interesting point if a car is covered by that rule

no its more because of who would be in the car say the "trade seceratry for france " would really be the dgse station chief trying to seduce you.

mountainyman

The guy was Maltese he had an intellectual disability and the incident was bizarre to say the least. It was alleged that he had attacked someone.

Victor

helimachoptor wrote: »

Are the considered an extension of the embassy i.e. if you get into a German embassy car are you now on German "soil"?

Not "soil" as such, but any vehicle with someone with DI it is considered an extension of the embassey, if that person so wishes.

Diplomatic cars are not covered if there is nobody in them - hence they can get clamped and towed.

Immunity can apply well beyond the ambassador and family.

Its all covered by the Vienna Convention.

Trojan911

helimachoptor wrote: »

Hi guys just a question, What immunity (if any) do dimplomats from other countries have here?

i.e. do they get speeding tickets, will they get charged for theft, assault or murder fi they commit such a crime?

Yvonne Fletcher was shot and died from gunshot wounds whilst policing a demonstration in London....Read on

Our man in Havana

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7281145

helimachoptor

Trojan911 wrote: »

Yvonne Fletcher was shot and died from gunshot wounds whilst policing a demonstration in London....Read on

Thanks, that makes interesting reading.

helimachoptor

Bond-007 wrote: »

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7281145

I knew about that but again it makes interesting reading!

On the plus side I like the UN building!