Book II Diplomatic and Consular Relations, 11 Terrorism and Diplomacy

Subject(s):

Consular relations — Diplomatic missions — Diplomatic relations — Diplomatic privileges — Diplomatic protection — Terrorism — Governments

This chapter discusses terrorism in the context of diplomacy. As far as diplomacy is concerned, attacks on diplomatic and consular missions and on diplomats are attacks on institutions which on the one hand enjoy inviolability under international law but on the other offer attractive targets simply because of their representative character. There can be no a priori definition of procedure to be applied if such attacks take place, although experience shows that capitulation leads only to an escalation in terrorist demands. The only way to work out any guidance on best practice is by taking examples and deducing from them such general advice as one can. Hence the chapter provides some case examples of destructive attacks on missions, the challenges on diplomacy with regards to terrorism, the suppression of terrorism, negotiations, and others.