The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is the 1961 multilateral treaty that codifies the modern law of diplomatic relations, setting out the privileges and immunities granted to diplomatic missions and their staff so that states can maintain relations even during periods of tension or conflict. It establishes the inviolability of diplomatic premises and diplomatic agents and largely exempts accredited diplomats from the host country's criminal jurisdiction. It is a separate instrument from the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which governs how treaties generally are made and interpreted rather than diplomatic conduct specifically.
Facts
Key ProvisionAdopted on 18 April 1961 and in force from 1964, it codifies the customary international law of diplomatic relations: the inviolability of diplomatic mission premises, archives and correspondence, the inviolability of the diplomatic bag, and the immunity of diplomatic agents from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving state and, with defined exceptions, from its civil and administrative jurisdiction as well. It also obliges the receiving state, even amid severed relations or armed conflict, to respect and protect mission premises and to grant diplomatic staff the facilities needed to leave the country, and it remains the primary legal basis for diplomatic immunity worldwide. 1 Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
The Law of Treaties convention codifies the general rules of treaty-making and interpretation that govern the Diplomatic Relations convention as a treaty in its own right.
Influenced
The 1961 Convention codified the pre-existing customary international law of diplomatic immunity into binding, widely ratified treaty law.
Shaped
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) is the codifying instrument, with Article 31 the operative text on immunity from criminal jurisdiction.
Sources
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.