Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity with an Emphasis on the Torture Case in the American Judicial System

Raeeskazemi, Farnaz

doi:10.30473/clk.2024.70092.3227

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	Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity with an Emphasis on the Torture Case in the American Judicial System
دوفصلنامه علمی دانش حقوق مدنی
Article 6, Volume 12, Issue 24, January 2024, Pages 69-80 PDF (873.45 K)
Document Type: Scientific Research
DOI: 10.30473/clk.2024.70092.3227
Author
Farnaz Raeeskazemi^*
Ph.D. of International Law, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Diplomatic immunity is a type of legal immunity according to which political agents and envoys of states will not be prosecuted. In otherwords, two countries are committed to each other not to prosecute each other's diplomats and senior government officials. Karamba was a Zimbabwean diplomat in the United States who was accused of beating or torturing his son violently. But he was not punished due to his immunity. This article aims to examine the problems of diplomatic and consular representatives abuse and their impunity, and especially the need to compensate the victims. which has plagued human societies today. Article 32 of the 1961 Vienna Convention provides only one exception for prosecuting diplomats, which is related to waiver of immunity. What is the solution to assert the rights of the victims of widespread crimes committed by diplomats and prevent them from abusing their diplomatic immunity to escape punishment and pay damages to these victims? This research tries to answer this question with a descriptive-analytical method. In addition to explain the Karamba case, the purpose of this article is to provide solutions to prevent diplomats with immunity to commit crimes. The results of this research is to show that paying attention to the effective factors about of immunity abuse is an effective way to prevent and deal with such violations.
Keywords
Crimes; Diplomatic Abuse; Diplomatic Protection; International Relations; United States of America Jurisprudence

References
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Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity with an Emphasis on the Torture Case in the American Judicial System

Amending the Vienna Convention, Comment, Diplomatic Immunity. (1987). "A Proposal for Amending the Viena Convention to Deter Violet Criminal Acts". Boston University International Law Journal, Vol. 5, pp.177,203-04.

Asher, Ben. (2000). Human Rights meet diplomatic immunities: problems and possiblesolutions. Harvard Law\ School, SJD Candidate, Harvard Law School; LL.M November, Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA M. Juris; Publisher: Oxford; LL. B.

Caplan. (1987). Crash of Envoy’s Car Focuses Attention on International Law, Legal- Times.

Comment. (1980). "Compensation for” Victims” of Diplomatic lmmunity in the United States: A Claims Fund Proposal". Fordham International Law Journal, Vol. 4, pp. 135, 149-59.

Comment. (1981). "The Effect of the Diplomatic Relations Act". California Western International Law Journal, Vol. 11, pp.354, 357 [hereinafter The Effect of the Diplomatic Relations Act].

Crimes and Criminal Procedure. (1982 & Supp. IV 1986), 18 U.S.C. § 16.

Dewar. (1987). Senate Votes Immunity Deterrent, Wash. Post, Oct. 9.

Diplomatic Immunity Abuse Prevention Act. (daily ed. Oct. 8, (1987)). reprinted in 133 Congressional Record. S13,795, S 13,795-97.

Diplomatic Relations Act of (1978). $§ 2-6, 22 U.S.C. §$ 254a-254e (1982 & Supp. IV 1986).

Diplomatic Relations Act of (1978). § 6(b), 22 U.S.C. § 254e (1982 & Supp.

IV 1986).

Exec. (1987). Order No. 12,101, 43 Fed. Reg. 54,195 (1978), amended by Exec. Order No. 12,608, 52 Fed. Reg. 34,617.

Hickey, James E. Fisch. Jr. & Annette. (1990). "The Case to Preserve Criminal Jurisdiction Immunity Accorded Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Personnel in the United States". Hastings Law Journal, Vol. 41, pp. 362-67.

I. Benison, Audrey. (2001). "International Criminal Tribunals. Is There a Substantive Limitation on the Treaty Power?". Stanford Journal of International Law , Vol. 37, pp. 75, 86.

Jahangiri, Nabi Alah. (2018). "Diplomatic immunity from the point of view of jurisprudence". Journal: Ma'aref Qur'an and Etrat, fourth year, No. 8, pp. 223-199. ]In Persian[

.Kamen. (1988). Supreme Court Lifts Stay. U.S. to Return Boy to Zimbabwe, Wash.Post, Jan. 16.

Lynton. (1987). Envoy’s Car Slams into 4 Vehitles. Wash. Post, Feb. 14.

Office of Protocol and Office of Foreign Emissions. (1987). U.S. Department of State, Pub. No. 9533.

U.S. Constitution. (1978). art. I I, § 3; (stating that the President “shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers”); The Diplomatic Relations Act of 1978, § 4, 22, U.S.C. § 254c (1982 & Supp. IV 1986).

Uhlig. (1988). Court Won ‘t Bar Return of Boy in Abuse Case to Zimbabwe, N.Y. Times, Jan. 1.

Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. (1963). Optional Protocol Concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, Apr. 24; 21 U.S.T. 325, 326, 596 U.N.T.S. 487.

Vienna Convention On Diplomatic Relations. (1961). Apr. 18, 23 U.S.T. 3227, T.I.A.S. No. 7502, 500 U.N.T.S. 95. [hereinafter Vienna Convention On Diplomatic Relations].

Weiser & Knight. (1984). crime by those with diplomatic immunity Rises, Wash Post, Jan.9.