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The principle of diplomatic immunity dates from Antiquity, when the Greek government extended special status to foreign envoys. Basically, it allows representatives of foreign governments to work and operate under the laws of their home country while abroad. Does this mean that all foreign diplomats carry a permanent "Get Out of Jail Free" card? Definitely not. According to the official U.S. Department of State web site, "The purpose of these privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient and effective performance of their official missions on behalf of their governments. Most of these privileges and immunities are not absolute..." Law enforcement can pursue diplomats who break the law, with the perpetrators
usually deported to their home country for prosecution. As this transcript from a conference speech delivered by Mr. Clay Hays, a member of the State Department makes clear, the point of diplomatic immunity is expediency, not privilege: "The underlying concept is that foreign representatives can carry out their duties effectively only if they are accorded a certain degree of insulation from the application of standard law enforcement practices of the host country." If you'd like to learn more about the legal intricacies of diplomatic immunity, you can download more information from the State Department. And if you're considering a career in diplomacy,
you'd better start boning up for the Foreign Service Exam.
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