Diplomatic Couriers

Subject(s):

Diplomatic immunity — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations

This chapter analyses Articles 27.5, 27.6, and 27.7 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The three sections mainly centre on matters regarding the functions diplomatic couriers. According to Article 27.5, the diplomatic courier, who shall be provided with an official document indicating his status and the number of packages constituting the diplomatic bag, shall be protected by the receiving State in the performance of his functions. He shall enjoy personal inviolability and shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention. Article 27.6 on the other hand states that the sending State or the mission may designate diplomatic couriers ad hoc. If this happens, then the provisions of Article 27.5 shall also apply. Lastly, Article 27.7 states that a diplomatic bag may be entrusted to the captain of a commercial aircraft and that he shall be provided with an official document indicating the number of packages constituting the bag but he shall not be considered to be a diplomatic courier.