Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities

A. Diplomatic Agents:
1. Not obliged to give evidence as a witness
2. Inviolability of the person
3. Inviolability of the private residence
4. Immunity from criminal, civil, and administrative jurisdiction of the receiving state, except in:
a. A real action relating to private immovable property unless he holds it on behalf of the
sending state for the purpose of the mission;
b. An action relating to succession in which the diplomatic agent is acting as a private
person; and
c. An action relating to any professional or commercial activity exercised by the diplomatic
agent in his private capacity.

5. Exemption from social security provisions with respect to services rendered for the sending state
6. Exemption from all dues and taxes
7. Exemption from all personal services and military operations
8. Exemption from all customs duties, taxes and related charges
9. Personal baggage is exempt from inspection
Exception:
a. There are serious grounds for presuming that it contains articles that are neither for the official use of
the diplomatic mission nor for the personal use of the diplomatic or members of his family; or
b. Articles the import or export of which is prohibited by the law or controlled by the quarantine
regulations of the receiving State. In any case, such inspection shall be conducted only in the presence
of the diplomatic agent or his authorized representative

10. The properties, including papers and correspondence, of an Ambassador shall be inviolable

Any writ or process whereby the person of any ambassador or public minister of any foreign State,
authorized and received as such by the President, or any domestic or domestic servant of such
ambassador or minister is arrested or imprisoned, or his goods or chattels are distrained, seized or
attached, shall be deemed void

Privileges and immunities extend to the members of the family of the diplomatic agent provided they
form part of the household and are not nationals of the receiving state.

B. Administrative and Technical Staff: If they, together with the members of their families forming
part of their respective households, are not nationals of or permanent residents in the receiving state,
they shall be entitled to the same privileges and immunities as that of a diplomatic agent, except that
the immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction shall not extend to acts performed outside the
course of their duties.

C. Service Staff: If they are not nationals of or permanent residents in the receiving state, they shall
enjoy immunity in respect of acts performed in the course of their duties as well as exemption from
dues and taxes on the emoluments they receive by reason of their employment

D. Private Servants: If they are not nationals of or permanent residents in the receiving state, they
shall be exempt from dues and taxes on the emoluments they receive by reason of their employment. In
other respects, they may enjoy privileges and immunities only to the extent admitted by the receiving
state. However, the receiving state must exercise its jurisdiction over those persons in such a manner as
not to interfere unduly with the performance of the functions of the mission.

E. Other Persons Privileged: Other members of the staff of the mission and private servants who are
nationals of or permanently residing in the receiving state shall enjoy privilege and immunities only the
extent admitted by the receiving State.