Summary Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 legal.un.org
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One Line
The 1961 Vienna Convention sets the legal guidelines for diplomatic relations, including definitions and addressing multiple aspects.
Slides
Slide Presentation (14 slides)
Key Points
- The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations establishes the legal framework for diplomatic relations between states.
- The convention defines key terms such as "head of the mission," "members of the mission," and "diplomatic agent."
- It outlines the functions of a diplomatic mission, including representing the sending state, protecting its interests and nationals, negotiating with the receiving state, and promoting friendly relations.
- Diplomatic privileges and immunities are intended to ensure the efficient performance of diplomatic missions, not to benefit individuals.
- Mutual consent between states is required for the establishment of diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic missions.
Summaries
18 word summary
The 1961 Vienna Convention establishes the legal framework for diplomatic relations, defining key terms and addressing various aspects.
78 word summary
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, signed in 1961, establishes the legal framework for diplomatic relations between states. It defines key terms and outlines the functions of a diplomatic mission. Diplomatic privileges and immunities ensure efficient mission performance, not individual benefits. The convention addresses various aspects such as establishment of relations, multiple accreditations, privileges for agents and families, protection of premises, use of flags and official correspondence, broken diplomatic relations, non-discrimination, and signatures, ratification, and accession by states.
174 word summary
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, signed in 1961, establishes the legal framework for diplomatic relations between states. It defines key terms and outlines the functions of a diplomatic mission. Diplomatic privileges and immunities are intended to ensure the efficient performance of missions and are not meant to benefit individuals. The establishment of diplomatic relations and permanent missions requires mutual consent between states. A sending state may accredit a head of mission or a member of the diplomatic staff to multiple states, unless any of the receiving states objects. Diplomatic agents and their families enjoy various privileges and immunities, including inviolability and immunity from jurisdiction. The receiving state must facilitate the acquisition of premises for the mission and protect them. The convention also addresses the use of flags, official correspondence, and the protection of mission premises in case of broken diplomatic relations. The convention prohibits discrimination between states but allows for restrictive application of provisions to the receiving state's mission in the sending state. The convention provides for signatures, ratification, and accession by states.
551 word summary
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, signed in 1961, establishes the legal framework for diplomatic relations between states. It defines key terms such as “head of the mission,” “members of the mission,” and “diplomatic agent.” The convention outlines the functions of a diplomatic mission, including representing the sending state, protecting its interests and nationals, negotiating with the receiving state, and promoting friendly relations.
Diplomatic privileges and immunities are intended to ensure the efficient performance of diplomatic missions and are not meant to benefit individuals. Customary international law should govern matters not explicitly addressed in the convention.
The establishment of diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic missions requires mutual consent between states. The sending state must obtain the agreement of the receiving state for the appointment of a head of mission. The receiving state is not obliged to provide reasons for refusing this agreement.
A sending state may accredit a head of mission or a member of the diplomatic staff to multiple states, unless any of the receiving states objects. In such cases, a diplomatic mission headed by a charge d'affaires ad interim may be established in the states where the head of mission does not have a permanent seat. A head of mission or any member of the diplomatic staff may also act as a representative to an international organization.
Diplomatic agents and their families enjoy various privileges and immunities. The head of the mission and members of the diplomatic staff have inviolability and immunity from jurisdiction, exemption from taxes and dues, freedom of movement and travel within the receiving state. The premises of the mission, including the residence of the head of mission, are inviolable and protected by the receiving state.
Diplomatic agents are exempt from social security provisions in the receiving state but may voluntarily participate if permitted. They are also exempt from most taxes but not certain specific taxes. The receiving state must exempt diplomatic agents from personal services, public service, and military obligations.
The receiving state must facilitate the acquisition of premises for the mission and protect the premises from intrusion or damage. It must also ensure the inviolability of archives and documents and accord full facilities for the mission to perform its functions.
Diplomatic agents have the right to use the flag and emblem of the sending state on mission premises and means of transport. They have the right to communicate freely for official purposes and may employ diplomatic couriers and messages in code or cipher. The official correspondence of the mission is inviolable, and the diplomatic bag is immune from search or detention.
The receiving state must respect and protect the premises of the mission in case of broken diplomatic relations or temporary or permanent recall of a mission. The sending state may entrust the custody of the premises to a third state and may also entrust the protection of its interests to a third state.
The convention prohibits discrimination between states but allows for restrictive application of provisions to the receiving state's mission in the sending state. States may also extend more favorable treatment to each other by custom or agreement.
The convention provides for signatures, ratification, and accession by states. It enters into force after the deposit of a sufficient number of instruments of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
694 word summary
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, signed in 1961, establishes the legal framework for diplomatic relations between states. It recognizes the status of diplomatic agents and aims to promote friendly relations among nations. The convention defines key terms such as "head of the mission," "members of the mission," and "diplomatic agent." It also outlines the functions of a diplomatic mission, which include representing the sending state, protecting its interests and nationals, negotiating with the receiving state, and promoting friendly relations.
The convention emphasizes that diplomatic privileges and immunities are not intended to benefit individuals but rather to ensure the efficient performance of diplomatic missions. It affirms that customary international law should govern matters not explicitly addressed in the convention.
The establishment of diplomatic relations and permanent diplomatic missions requires mutual consent between states. The sending state must obtain the agreement of the receiving state for the appointment of a head of mission. The receiving state is not obliged to provide reasons for refusing this agreement.
A sending state may accredit a head of mission or a member of the diplomatic staff to multiple states, unless any of the receiving states objects. In such cases, a diplomatic mission headed by a charge d'affaires ad interim may be established in the states where the head of mission does not have a permanent seat. A head of mission or any member of the diplomatic staff may also act as a representative to an international organization.
Multiple states can accredit the same person as head of mission to another state, unless the receiving state objects. The sending state has the freedom to appoint members of the staff of the mission, but the receiving state may require advance approval for military, naval, or air attaches.
Diplomatic agents and their families enjoy various privileges and immunities. The head of the mission and members of the diplomatic staff have inviolability and immunity from jurisdiction, as well as exemption from taxes and dues. They also have freedom of movement and travel within the receiving state. The premises of the mission, including the residence of the head of mission, are inviolable and protected by the receiving state.
Diplomatic agents are exempt from social security provisions in the receiving state, but they may voluntarily participate in the social security system if permitted by that state. They are also exempt from national, regional, and municipal taxes, except for certain specific taxes. The receiving state must exempt diplomatic agents from personal services, public service, and military obligations.
The receiving state must facilitate the acquisition of premises for the mission or assist in obtaining suitable accommodation. It must protect the premises of the mission from intrusion or damage and ensure the inviolability of archives and documents. The receiving state should accord full facilities for the mission to perform its functions.
Diplomatic agents have the right to use the flag and emblem of the sending state on mission premises and means of transport. They also have the right to communicate freely for official purposes and may employ diplomatic couriers and messages in code or cipher. The official correspondence of the mission is inviolable, and the diplomatic bag is immune from search or detention.
The receiving state must respect and protect the premises of the mission in case of broken diplomatic relations or temporary or permanent recall of a mission. The sending state may entrust the custody of the premises to a third state and may also entrust the protection of its interests to a third state.
In the application of the convention, the receiving state must not discriminate between states. However, discrimination is not considered to occur if it is based on a restrictive application of provisions to the receiving state's mission in the sending state or if states extend more favorable treatment to each other by custom or agreement.
The convention provides for signatures, ratification, and accession by states. It enters into force after the deposit of a sufficient number of instruments of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Secretary-General informs all states of signatures, ratifications, accessions, and the date of entry into force.
In conclusion, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations