Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Ratifications of the convention   Parties   Non-parties
Signed	18 April 1961
Location	Vienna
Effective	24 April 1964
Condition	Ratification by 22 states
Signatories	60
Parties	191 (as of February 2017)
Depositary	UN Secretary-General
Languages	Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries. It specifies the privileges of a diplomatic mission that enable diplomats to perform their function without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country. This forms the legal basis for diplomatic immunity. Its articles are considered a cornerstone of modern international relations. As of February 2017, it has been ratified by 191 states.

Throughout the history of sovereign states, diplomats have enjoyed a special status. Their function to negotiate agreements between states demands certain special privileges. An envoy from another nation is traditionally treated as a guest, their communications with their home nation treated as confidential, and their freedom from coercion and subjugation by the host nation treated as essential.

The first attempt to codify diplomatic immunity into diplomatic law occurred with the Congress of Vienna in 1815. This was followed much later by the Convention regarding Diplomatic Officers (Havana, 1928).

The present treaty on the treatment of diplomats was the outcome of a draft by the International Law Commission. The treaty was adopted on 18 April 1961, by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria, and first implemented on 24 April 1964. The same Conference also adopted the Optional Protocol concerning Acquisition of Nationality, the Optional Protocol concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, the Final Act and four resolutions annexed to that Act.

Two years later, the United Nations adopted a closely related treaty, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The treaty is an extensive document, containing 53 articles. Following is a basic overview of its key provisions.

In the same year that the treaty was adopted, two amendment were added. Countries may ratify the main treaty without necessarily ratifying these optional agreements.

As of February 2017, there are 191 state parties to the convention including all UN member states except Palau, the Solomon Islands, South Sudan and Vanuatu. Included as state parties are the Holy See and State of Palestine, two UN observer states. The Republic of China signed and ratified the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations on 18 April 1961 and 19 December 1969 respectively prior to the UN granting China's seat to the People's Republic of China. There are no states that have signed the treaty but have not ratified it.