Which term describes immunity from prosecution for diplomats?

• A. Congressional Immunity
• B. Consular Notification
• C. Diplomatic Immunity
• D. Vienna Convention

Answer: (C)

Diplomatic immunity is the protection that diplomats enjoy from host-country prosecution and certain other legal actions. It means officials cannot be prosecuted under the host state’s criminal laws for acts connected to their official duties, and they typically have inviolability of person and premises, along with broad protection from local civil or administrative jurisdiction. This framework is codified internationally by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which sets out how such immunity operates, including how it can be waived or how a diplomat can be declared persona non grata. The host country can ask the sending state to waive immunity or, if necessary, expel the diplomat, but the immunity itself is the key concept protecting diplomats.

The other terms don’t describe this protection: Congressional Immunity relates to members of a legislature, not foreign diplomats; Consular Notification is about informing the home country when a consular officer is detained, not about immunity; and Vienna Convention refers to the treaty that establishes these rules, not the immunity itself.