Belgrade Fire and Diplomatic Convention

The news of an embassy set ablaze in Belgrade reminds us of Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961. It sets forth the law on the inviolability of the mission:

1. The premises of the mission shall be inviolable. The agents of the receiving State may not enter them, except with the consent of the head of the mission.

2. The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity.

3. The premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution. U.N.T.S. Nos. 7310-7312, vol. 500, pp. 95-239

Thu, 16:16:00 21 Feb 2008 / / Embassy Law Link

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