The diplomatic corps is a collection of employees accredited in a foreign country. Their quantitative composition depends on the nature of relations between countries. Let us consider in detail what constitutes the diplomatic corps.
General information
The concept of " diplomatic corps " can be considered in a narrow and broad sense. In the first case, we mean the aggregate of a limited number of employees. In particular, the heads of diplomatic missions , temporary and permanent charge d'affaires, envoys and ambassadors are meant. In a broad sense, the composition of this association includes not only direct employees, but also their relatives. Moreover, the diplomatic staff includes not only ambassadors, attorneys, but also other employees, including those who support their activities. For example, the latter include naval and air attaches, their assistants, specialists in culture, scientific and technical cooperation, agriculture and so on. As for relatives, there are some nuances. The diplomatic corps includes husbands and wives, sons under 18 years of age and unmarried daughters, regardless of age.
Status specifics
The diplomatic corps is not a political organization or legal entity. This association provides a solution to many ceremonial and protocol issues. The tasks of the corps include the timely receipt of information about the internal political life of the host state, maintaining contacts in official circles, as well as relations between missions. There are no international standards defining its status, regulating functions and powers.
Top post
The corps is headed by the Doyen, or foreman. He does not have the authority to give orders to other employees. However, at all times, this post was considered very honorable. The foreman becomes the head of the diplomatic mission, who takes up duties earlier than colleagues. In this case, only a certain employee is appointed to this post. It must be a diplomatic representative of the highest class - the papal nuncio or the ambassador.
Authority Features
From time to time, Doyen holds consultative meetings on various issues with the heads of diplomatic missions. They can be of a ceremonial or protocol nature. Meetings are informal and are usually organized during lunch or breakfast. Often, the foreman speaks on behalf of the corps on the occasion of celebrations in the host state, expresses condolences or congratulations to officials. He also has the right to take measures to protect the interests of the representative office as a whole or of its individual members, if it detects an infringement of privileges or immunities. At the same time, the duayen cannot make demarches or make statements of a political nature either on behalf of the corps or on his behalf. Otherwise, any member of the mission may express disapproval of such actions as not meeting the position of the represented state.
Posts
The embassy is attended by service and administrative workers. It should be noted that not all employees act as foreign diplomats . Relevant posts have developed within the framework of established international practice. In addition to the ambassador and adviser, following him in descending order of seniority, there are posts:
- Senior Advisor.
- Advisor.
- First, second, third secretary.
- Attache.
- Assistant Secretary.
The latter does not have a diplomatic passport, but is endowed with immunity. From this position, many young employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs begin their careers. It is worth saying that in many countries this position is generally absent. Meanwhile, in Soviet times, lower posts were also envisaged - the on-duty referent, the referent-translator. Today they are canceled. For translation, as a rule, they involve one of the junior employees.
Diplomatic rank
He is a cool rank. It is appropriated to persons who hold posts in diplomatic missions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consular posts. Diplomatic ranks are provided in most states. However, today there are countries in which the same system of ranks is applied to the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consulates and diplomatic missions as for employees of other government agencies. A diplomatic rank does not necessarily coincide with a post.
Nuances
In any representative office there is a large number of technical, support staff. Its structure, in particular, includes highly skilled workers, security guards, employees of the household, cooks, drivers, and so on. In addition to them, there are people present at the embassies who provide encrypted data transmission. Thus, diplomats (employees with diplomatic passports) account for no more than a third of all employees.
Diplomatic car numbers
Registration marks of transport of diplomatic missions are carried out according to certain rules. They have a red background on which white characters are applied. Basic information is contained in the first three digits, as well as the next letter (s). The code indicates belonging to a specific state. The letter prefix is decrypted as follows:
- CD - the vehicle is registered with the ambassador or another person with the rank of head of the diplomatic mission.
- D - the mark is issued at the TS, which belongs to the consular post, representative office, international organization or its employee. Moreover, the employee has diplomatic status.
- T - the vehicle belongs to an employee of the diplomatic mission, an international organization, a consular post, performing administrative and technical tasks.
Privileges and Immunity
The diplomatic service implies a number of special rights and advantages. They are provided to the diplomatic mission as a whole, the head and staff. Privileges and immunities were formed on the basis of customs during the development of international relations. The diplomatic service also implies a great responsibility of employees. Interaction with your government is done through diplomatic couriers and encrypted dispatches. The mail of the diplomatic mission is not subject to detention and opening.
In the event of a breakdown of relations between countries, temporary recall of ambassadors, armed conflicts, the host state is obliged to ensure the protection of the premises of embassies along with archives and property. 3
Denmark, in which consulates, embassies, diplomatic representations are located, are the property of the state from which they work. The premises are inviolable for the authorities of the host country. The Vienna Convention allows the use of symbols on buildings. It is allowed to raise the flag on holidays and other days established in the Regulation on the work of the diplomatic mission.
In addition to general privileges, personal ones are also provided. Diplomats have immunity. They cannot be detained or arrested. In the host country, diplomats are immune from administrative and criminal liability. However, this does not exempt them from the jurisdiction of their state. Accordingly, at home, a person who committed an offense during diplomatic work can be held accountable under domestic law. Privileges and immunities apply to relatives of diplomatic representatives.
Additionally
Some reserved privileges apply to staff. It is worth saying that one cannot refuse the benefits of one's own free will. Privileges and immunities are necessary for the effective implementation of the functions of diplomatic missions, acting as bodies acting in the interests of the native state.