Indiplomacy, apersona non grata (PNG)[a] is a foreigndiplomat that is asked by the host country to be recalled to their home country. If the person is not recalled as requested, the host state may refuse to recognize the person concerned as a member of the diplomatic mission (including the removal ofdiplomatic immunity). A host country may declare any member of a diplomatic staffpersona non grata at any time without any explanation.
Under Article 9 of theVienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a receiving state may "at any time and without having to explain its decision" declare any member of a diplomatic staffpersona non grata.[1] A person so declared is considered unacceptable and is usually recalled to their home nation. If not recalled, the receiving state "may refuse to recognize the person concerned as a member of the mission".[2] A person can be declaredpersona non grata before even entering the country.[1]
With the protection of mission staff from prosecution for violating civil andcriminal laws, depending on rank, under Articles 41 and 42 of the Vienna Convention, they are bound to respect national laws and regulations. Breaches of these articles can lead to erring staff being declaredpersona non grata. The sanction is also used to expel diplomats suspected ofespionage, described as "activities incompatible with diplomatic status",[3][4] or criminal acts such asdrug trafficking.
The declaration may also be a symbolic indication of displeasure.[5] So-called "tit for tat" exchanges have occurred (whereby countries involved in a dispute each expel diplomats of the other country), notably during theCold War. A notable occurrence outside of the Cold War was an exchange between the United States and Ecuador in 2011; the Ecuadorian government expelled the United States ambassador in response to theUnited States diplomatic cables leak, and the United States responded by expelling the Ecuadorian ambassador.[6]
People other than diplomats can be declaredpersona non grata by a country.[1]
In non-diplomatic usage, referring to someone aspersona non grata is to say that the person is not popular or accepted by others.[7]
In the Philippines, local legislatures of provinces, towns, and cities can declare certain people or groups, including non-diplomats and Filipino citizens, aspersona non grata to express a negative sentiment toward the certain person through anon-binding resolution. This could be in response to the person breaking local ordinance or laws.[8] This has also happened in Spain.[9]
^"Spain-Russia spy row leads to diplomats' expulsion".BBC News. 6 March 2012.Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved23 May 2019.The Spanish foreign ministry spokesman said the two Russians had been expelled "for activities incompatible with their status as diplomats" - the diplomatic term for spying.
^Cavell, Anna (14 November 2012)."'Persona non grata' in South Sudan".Al Jazeera.Archived from the original on 26 February 2016. Retrieved23 May 2019."Persona non grata" (PNG), is the most serious form of censure a government can take against a person with diplomatic immunity and often used by governments as symbolic expressions of displeasure.
