 Ratifications of the convention Parties Non-parties | |
| Signed | 18 April 1961 |
|---|---|
| Location | Vienna |
| Effective | 24 April 1964 |
| Condition | Ratification by 22 states |
| Signatories | 61[1] |
| Parties | 193[1] (as of June 2021) |
| Depositary | UN Secretary-General |
| Languages | Chinese,English,French,Russian andSpanish |
| Full text | |
 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations atWikisource | |
TheVienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an internationaltreaty that defines a framework fordiplomatic relations betweenindependent countries.[2] Its aim is to facilitate "the development of friendly relations" among governments through a uniform set of practices and principles;[3] most notably, it codifies the longstanding custom ofdiplomatic immunity, in whichdiplomatic missions are granted privileges that enablediplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country. The Vienna Convention is a cornerstone of moderninternational relations andinternational law and is almost universallyratified and observed;[1] it is considered one of the most successful legal instruments drafted under theUnited Nations.[4]
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Throughout the history ofsovereign states,diplomats have enjoyed a special status. The principle ofdiplomatic immunity dates back to ancient times, when Greek and Roman governments granted special status to envoys. This basic concept has endured and continued to evolve over the centuries, remaining an important element of foreign relations up to the present day.[5] 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 codifydiplomatic immunity intodiplomatic law occurred with theCongress 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 theInternational Law Commission. The treaty was adopted on 18 April 1961, by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held inVienna,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. One notable aspect which arose from the 1961 treaty was the establishment of theHoly See's diplomatic immunity status with other nations.[6]
Two years later, theUnited Nations adopted a closely related treaty, theVienna Convention on Consular Relations.
The Vienna Convention is an extensive document, containing 53 articles. The following is a basic overview of its key provisions.[7]
The same year the treaty was adopted, twoprotocols were added as amendments; countries mayratify the main treaty without necessarily ratifying these optional agreements.
As of June 2021[update], there are 193 state parties to the Vienna Convention, including allUN member states—with the exceptions ofPalau andSouth Sudan—and theUN observer states of theHoly See andState of Palestine.[1] TheRepublic of China signed and ratified the convention on 18 April 1961 and 19 December 1969, respectively, prior to theUN granting China's seat to thePeople's Republic of China. There are no states that have signed the treaty but not ratified it.
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