Immunity from Sate Jurisdiction

The first 200 words of this essay...

Immunity from Sate Jurisdiction

International law specifies that 'the jurisdiction of a state within its territory is complete and absolute'1. However, it is identified that certain categories of persons and bodies acting in the public interest are entitled to immunities and privileges from the exercise of the State jurisdiction.

In April 1984 WPC Fletcher, a British policewoman was killed, as a result of shots being fired from the Libyan Bureau. The incident created great anger and it was asked by many as was whether the Libyan diplomats were immune from being tried in the United Kingdom courts and the abuse of such privilege granted to diplomatic persons. This also prompted the British Foreign Secretary to review of the Vienna Conventions2, which grants such immunities.

As a result of this the Foreign Affairs Committee3 had compiled a report, following this initial report, the United Kingdom Government produced a White Paper4. The main objective cited in the paper was to reduce the abuse of the diplomatic immunity and the privileges that came with it.

In response to the detailed recommendations made by the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Government stressed that any attempts at trying to make