Diplomatic immunity

Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law by which certain foreign government officials are accorded immunity from the jurisdiction of the host country's courts while they are in that country. This immunity is granted to ensure that diplomats can perform their duties without fear of harassment or legal repercussions from the host country. The concept is codified in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which has been ratified by the vast majority of countries. In Hebrew, diplomatic immunity is known as חסינות דיפלומטית (Khasinut Diplomtit). Other relevant translations include Español: Inmunidad diplomática, Français: Immunité diplomatique, Deutsch: Diplomatische Immunität, and Italiano: Immunità diplomatica. Diplomatic immunity typically covers the ambassador, their staff, and their family members, and it extends to both civil and criminal proceedings. However, this immunity does not grant diplomats the right to break the law with impunity; rather, it ensures that legal disputes are handled through diplomatic channels rather than local courts. In cases of serious crimes, the sending country may waive immunity or the diplomat may be declared persona non grata and expelled from the host country.