diplomatic immunity

American  

noun

1. exemption from taxation, searches, arrest, etc., enjoyed by diplomatic officials and their dependent families under international law, and usually on a reciprocal basis.

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diplomatic immunity British  

noun

1. the immunity from local jurisdiction and exemption from taxation in the country to which they are accredited afforded to diplomats

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diplomatic immunity Cultural  

1. Exemption of diplomats — ambassadors and other representatives of a foreign nation — from the laws of the nation to which they are assigned.

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Foreign representatives have sometimes gone unpunished for serious crimes after claiming diplomatic immunity. The main purpose of diplomatic immunity, however, is to protect diplomats from harassment or arrest by their host government.

Etymology

Origin of diplomatic immunity

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The investigating panel said Batuk had "persistently" declined to appear before the committee and instead "invoked claims of diplomatic immunity".

From BBC

Dame Anne's report explained that she was a US State Department employee, but had diplomatic immunity at the time because she was the wife of a US intelligence officer.

From BBC

Anne Sacoolas was not drug tested and was allowed to leave the scene before flying back to the US under diplomatic immunity.

From BBC

Sacoolas left the country after the incident, with the US claiming she had diplomatic immunity from prosecution.

From BBC

She left the country after the incident, with the US claiming she had diplomatic immunity from prosecution.

From BBC