Diplomatic Crime: Drugs, Killings, Thefts, Rapes, Slavery & Other Outrageous Crimes

Argues that diplomatic immunity protects a substantial number of criminals from the laws of their host country, discusses whether such immunity is necessary, and suggests possible solutions

By international agreement, diplomats and their families are immune from prosecution for both civil and criminal offenses in their host countries. In some nations, their underlings, all the way down to maids and chauffeurs, also have immunity; the United States is one of the most latitudinarian nations in this regard. Concentrating on the U.S. and Britain, journalist Ashman and his lawyer wife compile an appalling number of case histories in which those with immunity abuse it to perpetratewithout consequencerape, shoplifting, smuggling and drunken driving. In some particularly shocking instances, diplomatic officials guilty of vehicular homicide have gone unpunished. The documentation of these abuses is thorough and horrifying. Unfortunately, the authors have no better solution to offer than a plea for an international conference to rewrite the rules governing diplomatic immunity.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.