Diplomats use immunity rule to flout law

Press, 26 August 1980, Page 8

Diplomats use immunity rule to flout law

NZPA .' • ' • ■ London The British House of. Commons Foreign Affairs Committee is . planning ; to investigate the abuse-of diplomatic immunity in Britain. ' Theis committee chairman (Mr Anthony Kershaw) told the “Observer’’ newspaper: “I expect the committee to look at the abusesAyhich are now creeping- - system during the next year. “Some countries like Iran are ignoring almost all the rules. ,' ;.?A:<■'■' “We are virtually .certain that, drugs and guns , are being brought into this country under diplomatic protection. “I. should like to get the United Nations to apply sanctions against those countries which break the rules.” In notable incidents this

year diplomats or their families have claimed diplomatic immunity in cases ranging from drug smuggling to burglary, and a fatal car accident. There is also an allegation that the guns used in the Iranian Embassy siege were supplied by Iraqi diplomats, and that Libyan and Iraqi diplomats have used diplomatic bags to bring weapons into Britain.

The latest diplomatic dodge seems to be using immunity to try to. avoid paying estate agents’ fees. Last year 284 people claimed diplomatic immunity from offences ranging from assaulting a policeman to shoplifting. The alleged offences included one of gross indecency, one of indecent assault, one of incest, and two of drugs possession.

The majority — 215 — were for driving offences, excluding parking. This year 120 people.; suspected of criminal offences have claimed diplomatic immunity. Only 17 have left the country.,- ' ' ' The Foreign Office says the numbers sent home are small because few “of the offences are serious.

It also emphasises the importance of some sort of diplomatic immunity, a concept which goes back to the ancient Greeks and which is based on’ the need to allow envoys from a foreign country to work freely without harassment:

The arrangements ' were laid down by the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic privileges -and immunities which was agreed by the 150 nations.