Topic:
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Thien Truong-Phan
Country: Germany
Committee: LEGAL
Topic: Limits of Diplomatic Immunity
Delegate: Thien Truong-Phan
School: Williamston High School
Diplomatic immunity is when diplomats from foreign countries are exempted from certain laws when they are working in a country. It is meant to protect diplomats and allow them to carry out their work swiftly and securely. Diplomatic immunity can vary from person to person, mostly based on the power they hold, such as high ranking officials or ambassadors. Corruption in governments can lead to abuse in power, and diplomatic immunity in some cases allows for crimes to go unwarranted. Diplomatic immunity has caused some issues recently. Though diplomatic immunity is very important for the safety and job of the diplomat, we as a committee must look into this deeply and see if some things need to be changed.
Germany has protection for its diplomats, their families, and their personal servants. Section 18 and 19 of the German Courts Constitution Act state that diplomats, family members, and private workers have complete diplomatic immunity. This means that they are completely exempt from German Jurisdiction. If a diplomat were to commit a minor crime within the country, not much would be done other than informing the country that the diplomat is from, and let them decide what happens to the diplomat. In more severe cases and crimes, Germany will notify the country the diplomat is from and try to make them either reprimand them or take them out of the country.
Germany wants to move forward and cut down on problems that may occur if this problem is not solved. Though there has not been any severe cases of diplomatic immunity being abused in Germany, Germany will not wait until it does. Germany looks forward to working with its allies and any other countries that can find agreeable stances with Germany. Germany especially looks forward to working with the US and other NATO countries such as France and the UK.
