Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. A diplomat's immunity to prosecution and/or litigation under local law.
WordNet
n. exemption from taxation or normal processes of law that is offered to diplomatic personnel in a foreign country
Wikipedia
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity that ensures diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws, although they can still be expelled. Modern diplomatic immunity was codified as international law in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) which has been ratified by all but a handful of nations, though the concept and custom of such immunity have a much longer history dating back thousands of years. Many principles of diplomatic immunity are now considered to be customary law. Diplomatic immunity as an institution developed to allow for the maintenance of government relations, including during periods of difficulties and armed conflict. When receiving diplomats, who formally represent the sovereign, the receiving head of state grants certain privileges and immunities to ensure they may effectively carry out their duties, on the understanding that these are provided on a reciprocal basis.
Originally, these privileges and immunities were granted on a bilateral, ad hoc basis, which led to misunderstandings and conflict, pressure on weaker states, and an inability for other states to judge which party was at fault. An international agreement known as the Vienna Conventions codified the rules and agreements, providing standards and privileges to all states.
It is possible for the official's home country to waive immunity; this tends to happen only when the individual has committed a serious crime, unconnected with their diplomatic role (as opposed to, say, allegations of spying), or has witnessed such a crime. However, many countries refuse to waive immunity as a matter of course; individuals have no authority to waive their own immunity (except perhaps in cases of defection). Alternatively, the home country may prosecute the individual. If immunity is waived by a government so that a diplomat (or their family members) can be prosecuted, it must be because there is a case to answer and it is in the public interest to prosecute them. For instance, in 2002, a Colombian diplomat in London was prosecuted for manslaughter, once diplomatic immunity was waived by the Colombian government.
Diplomatic Immunity was a weekly political analysis and debate television show on TVOntario, which ran until 2006. Issues discussed reflected contemporary concerns; recently, these included terrorism, Middle East affairs, and US politics, though potentially any issue of international significance was considered.
It was hosted by Steve Paikin, and featured regular guests and invited analysts. Regular guests included:
- Janice Stein, Director of the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto.
- Patrick Martin, a columnist and editor at the Globe and Mail
- Richard Gwyn, a columnist at the Toronto Star
- Lewis MacKenzie, a retired Major-General of the Canadian Forces
- Eric Margolis, a columnist at the Toronto Sun and the Huffington Post
Invited analysts were typically experts in the field of discussion; they were sourced from academia, politics and the business community alike.
The show aired on Friday nights at 11PM, and Sundays at 3PM and 11PM. It was cancelled at the same time as the nightly newsmagazine Studio 2. The new series The Agenda incorporated elements of both shows.
Diplomatic Immunity is a 2002 science fiction novel by Lois McMaster Bujold, part of the Vorkosigan Saga. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2003.
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity for diplomats working outside their home countries.
Diplomatic immunity may also refer to:
- Diplomatic Immunity (TV series), a Canadian news magazine series
- Diplomatic Immunity (New Zealand TV series), a New Zealand TV comedy about a fictional consulate
- Diplomatic Immunity (novel), a novel by Lois McMaster Bujold
- Diplomatic Immunity (album), an album by The Diplomats
- Diplomatic Immunity (film), a 1991 movie
Diplomatic Immunity is a New Zealand comedy that follows the misadventures at the consulate of The Most Royal Kingdom of Fe'ausi and a fallen New Zealand Foreign Affairs high-flier who has been sent in to straighten out the consulate staff. The show screened in New Zealand on TV1, every Tuesday night at 10:00.
Diplomatic Immunity is the debut album by The Diplomats, released on March 25, 2003. After the release of group leader Cam'ron's third album, Come Home With Me, the quartet teamed up to release their first collaborative effort. The album features the lead singles "Dipset Anthem", "I Really Mean It", "Ground Zero", and "Bout It Bout It...Part III" (featuring Master P).
In addition to Master P, the album features appearances from Monique Chandler, Shaniqua Williams, Toya, Freeway, and DMX. The album also features Diplomat rapper Hell Rell, who was incarcerated at the time of the album's release. The album debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 selling 92,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA. In 2012 Complex named the album one of the classic albums of the last decade.
Usage examples of "diplomatic immunity".
If I had any idea what a circus this would become, I would have insisted on diplomatic immunity, rather than clear my name, our name, their name.
This diplomatic immunity also allows us to keep track of where the Gringg go.
If it suited their purpose to kidnap or imprison Small, he could not claim diplomatic immunity as officially he was not there.
If the man was an official from the Indian consulate, he would flaunt his diplomatic immunity—.