Assistance in obtaining Accommodation

Subject(s):

Consular relations — Diplomatic immunity — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations

This chapter considers Article 21 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which deals with the assistance of the receiving State in giving accommodation to the members of the diplomatic mission of the sending State. The Article states that the receiving State shall either facilitate the acquisition of the premises necessary for its mission or assist members of the mission of the sending State in obtaining accommodation in some other way. Also, under the Article, the receiving State shall assist missions in obtaining suitable accommodation for their members where necessary. In essence, Article 21 ensures that diplomatic mission is not barred from acquiring premises adequate for its purposes in the receiving State. The chapter looks into domestic laws of sovereign States that also regulate the accommodation of foreign diplomats, such as the Foreign Missions Act enacted in the United States and the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987 in the United Kingdom.