Read Understand Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 Full Text of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961

Read Understand Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 Full Text of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961

Done at Vienna on 18 April  1961. Entered into force on 24 April 1964



The States Parties to the present Convention,
Recalling  that  peoples  of  all  nations  from  ancient  times  have  recognized  the  status  of  diplomatic agents,Having  in  mind  the  purposes  and  principles  of  the  Charter  of  the  United  Nations  concerning  the sovereign  equality  of  States,  the  maintenance  of  international  peace  and  security,  and  the  promotion  of
friendly relations  among nations, Believing  that  an  international  convention  on  diplomatic  intercourse,  privileges  and  immunities
would  contribute  to  the  development  of  friendly  relations  among  nations,  irrespective  of  their  differing constitutional  and social systems,
Realizing  that  the  purpose  of  such  privileges  and  immunities  is  not  to  benefit  individuals  but  to ensure the  efficient performance  of the functions  of diplomatic  missions as representing  States,

Affirming  that  the  rules  of  customary  international  law  should  continue  to  govern  questions  not expressly regulated  by the provisions  of the  present Convention,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

For  the  purpose  of  the  present  Convention,  the  following  expressions  shall  have  the  meanings

hereunder  assigned to them:

(a) The  “head  of  the  mission”  is  the  person  charged  by  the  sending  State  with  the  duty  of  acting  in that capacity;

(b) The  “members  of  the  mission”  are  the  head  of  the  mission  and  the  members  of  the  staff  of  the
mission;

(c) The  “members  of  the  staff  of  the  mission”  are  the  members  of  the  diplomatic  staff,  of  the administrative  and technical  staff and of the service staff  of the mission;

(d) The  “members  of  the  diplomatic  staff”  are  the  members  of  the  staff  of  the  mission  having diplomatic  rank;

(e) A  “diplomatic  agent”  is  the  head  of  the  mission  or  a  member  of  the  diplomatic  staff  of  the mission;

(f) The  “members  of  the  administrative  and  technical  staff”  are  the  members  of  the  staff  of  the mission employed  in the administrative  and technical  service of the mission;

(g) The  “members  of  the  service  staff”  are  the  members  of  the  staff  of  the  mission  in  the  domestic service of the mission;

(h) A  “private  servant”  is  a  person  who  is  in  the  domestic  service  of  a  member  of  the  mission  and who is not an employee of the  sending State;

(i) The  “premises  of  the  mission”  are  the  buildings  or  parts  of  buildings  and  the  land  ancillary thereto,  irrespective  of  ownership,  used  for  the  purposes  of  the  mission  including  the  residence  of  the
head of the mission.

Article 2

The establishment  of  diplomatic  relations  between  States,  and  of permanent  diplomatic  missions, takes place by mutual  consent.

Article 3

1. The functions  of a diplomatic  mission consist, inter  alia, in:

(a) Representing the sending State in the receiving  State;

(b) Protecting  in  the  receiving  State  the  interests  of  the  sending  State  and  of  its  nationals,  within  the limits permitted  by international  law;
(c) Negotiating  with  the Government  of the receiving  State;

(d) Ascertaining  by  all  lawful  means  conditions  and  developments  in  the  receiving  State,  and reporting  thereon to the Government  of the sending State;

(e) Promoting  friendly  relations  between  the  sending  State  and  the  receiving  State,  and  developing their economic,  cultural and scientific  relations.

2. Nothing in the present  Convention  shall  be construed  as preventing  the  performance  of consular functions by a diplomatic  mission.

Article 4

1. The sending  State must  make  certain that  the agreement  of the receiving  State has been given  for the person it proposes to accredit  as head of the mission to that State.

2. The receiving  State  is not obliged to give reasons to the sending State for  a refusal  of agreement.

Article 5

1. The  sending  State  may,  after  it  has  given  due  notification  to  the  receiving  States  concerned, accredit  a  head  of  mission  or  assign  any  member  of  the  diplomatic  staff,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  more
than one State, unless there is express objection  by any of the receiving  States.

2. If  the  sending  State  accredits  a  head  of  mission  to  one  or  more  other  States  it  may  establish  a diplomatic  mission headed  by a chargé  d’affaires  ad interim  in each State  where  the head of mission  has
not his permanent  seat.

3. A  head  of  mission  or  any  member  of  the  diplomatic  staff  of  the  mission  may  act  as representative of the sending  State  to any international  organization.

Article 6
Two  or  more  States  may  accredit  the  same  person  as  head  of  mission  to  another  State,  unless objection is offered  by the receiving  State.

Article 7

Subject  to  the  provisions  of  articles  5,  8,  9  and  11,  the  sending  State  may  freely  appoint  the members of the staff  of the mission. In the case of military,  naval or air attachés,  the receiving  State may require their  names to be submitted  beforehand,  for  its approval.

Article 8

1. Members  of  the  diplomatic  staff  of  the  mission  should  in  principle  be  of  the  nationality  of  the sending State.

2. Members  of  the  diplomatic  staff  of  the  mission  may  not  be  appointed  from  among  persons having  the  nationality  of  the  receiving  State,  except  with  the  consent  of  that  State  which  may  be withdrawn  at any time.

3. The receiving  State  may  reserve the  same  right  with  regard  to nationals  of  a third  State who  are not also nationals of the sending State.

Article 9

1. The  receiving  State  may  at  any  time  and  without  having  to  explain  its  decision,  notify  the sending  State  that  the  head  of  the  mission  or  any  member  of  the  diplomatic  staff  of  the  mission  is persona  non  grata  or  that  any  other  member  of  the  staff  of  the  mission  is  not  acceptable.  In  any  such case, the sending  State shall,  as appropriate,  either  recall the  person  concerned  or terminate  his  functions
with the mission. A person  may be declared non grata or not  acceptable before  arriving in the territory  of
the receiving  State.

2. If the  sending  State  refuses  or fails  within  a reasonable  period  to carry  out  its  obligations  under
paragraph  1  of  this  article,  the  receiving  State  may  refuse  to  recognize  the  person  concerned  as  a
member  of the mission.
Article 10

1. The  Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs  of  the  receiving  State,  or  such  other  ministry  as  may  be agreed, shall be notified of:

(a) The  appointment  of  members  of  the  mission,  their  arrival  and  their  final  departure  or  the termination  of their functions  with  the mission;

(b) The  arrival  and  final  departure  of  a  person  belonging  to  the  family  of  a  member  of  the  mission and,  where  appropriate,  the  fact  that  a  person  becomes  or  ceases  to  be  a  member  of  the  family  of  a
member  of the mission;

(c) The  arrival  and  final  departure  of  private  servants  in  the  employ  of  persons  referred  to  in subparagraph  (a)  of  this  paragraph  and,  where  appropriate,  the  fact  that  they  are  leaving  the  employ  of
such persons;

(d) The  engagement  and  discharge  of  persons  resident  in  the  receiving  State  as  members  of  the mission or private servants entitled to privileges  and  immunities.

2. Where possible, prior  notification  of arrival  and final  departure  shall also be given.

Article 11

1. In  the  absence  of  specific  agreement  as  to  the  size  of  the  mission,  the  receiving  State  may require  that  the  size  of  a  mission  be  kept  within  limits  considered  by  it  to  be  reasonable  and  normal,
having  regard  to  circumstances  and  conditions  in  the  receiving  State  and  to  the  needs  of  the  particular mission.

2. The  receiving  State  may  equally,  within  similar  bounds  and  on  a  non-discriminatory  basis,refuse to accept officials  of a particular  category.

Article 12
The  sending  State  may  not,  without  the  prior  express  consent  of  the  receiving  State,  establish offices  forming  part  of  the  mission  in  localities  other  than  those  in  which  the  mission  itself  is
established.

Article 13

1. The  head  of  the  mission  is  considered  as  having  taken  up  his  functions  in  the  receiving  State either  when  he  has  presented  his  credentials  or  when  he  has  notified  his  arrival  and  a  true  copy  of  his
credentials  has  been  presented  to  the  Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs  of  the  receiving  State,  or  such  other ministry  as may  be agreed,  in  accordance  with  the  practice  prevailing  in  the  receiving  State  which  shall be applied in a uniform  manner.

2. The order  of presentation  of credentials  or of a true copy  thereof  will  be determined  by  the date and time of the arrival of the head  of the mission.

Article 14

1. Heads of mission are divided  into three classes, namely:

(a) That  of  ambassadors  or  nuncios  accredited  to  Heads  of  State,  and  other  heads  of  mission  of equivalent rank;

(b) That of envoys, ministers  and internuncios  accredited  to Heads  of State;

(c) That of chargés d’affaires  accredited  to Ministers  for Foreign  Affairs.

2. Except as concerns  precedence  and  etiquette,  there  shall  be no  differentiation  between  heads  of mission by reason of their class.

Article 15

The class to which the heads of their  missions are to be assigned shall be agreed between States.

Article 16
1. Heads  of  mission  shall  take  precedence  in  their  respective  classes  in  the  order  of  the  date  and time of taking up their functions  in accordance  with article 13.

2. Alterations  in  the  credentials  of  a  head  of  mission  not  involving  any  change  of  class  shall  not affect his precedence.

3. This  article  is  without  prejudice  to  any  practice  accepted  by  the  receiving  State  regarding  the precedence of the  representative  of the Holy See.

Article 17

The precedence of the  members of the diplomatic  staff  of the mission shall be notified  by the head of the mission to the Ministry  for  Foreign Affairs  or such other ministry  as may  be agreed.

Article 18

The procedure  to  be observed  in each  State  for  the reception  of  heads  of mission  shall be uniform in respect  of each class.


Article 19
1. If  the  post  of  head  of  the  mission  is  vacant,  or  if  the  head  of  the  mission  is  unable  to  perform his  functions  a  chargé  d’affaires  ad  interim  shall  act  provisionally  as  head  of  the  mission.  The  name  of
the  chargé  d’affaires  ad  interim  shall  be  notified,  either  by  the  head  of  the  mission  or,  in  case  he  is unable  to  do  so,  by  the  Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs  of  the  sending  State  to  the  Ministry  for  Foreign
Affairs  of the receiving  State or such other ministry as may be agreed.

2. In  cases  where  no  member  of  the  diplomatic  staff  of  the  mission  is  present  in  the  receiving State, a member  of the administrative  and  technical staff  may, with  the  consent of the receiving  State,  be
designated  by the sending State to be in charge of the  current administrative  affairs  of the mission.

Article 20
The mission  and  its  head  shall  have  the  right  to  use  the  flag  and  emblem  of  the  sending  State  on the  premises  of  the  mission,  including  the  residence  of  the  head  of  the  mission,  and  on  his  means  of
transport.

Article 21

1. The  receiving  State  shall  either  facilitate  the  acquisition  on  its  territory,  in  accordance  with  its laws,  by  the  sending  State  of  premises  necessary  for  its  mission  or  assist  the  latter  in  obtaining accommodation  in some other way.

2. It  shall  also,  where  necessary,  assist  missions  in  obtaining  suitable  accommodation  for  their members.

Article 22

1. The premises  of the mission shall be inviolable.  The agents of the receiving  State  may  not enter them, except with  the consent of the head of the mission.

2. The  receiving  State  is  under  a special  duty  to  take  all  appropriate  steps  to  protect  the  premises of  the  mission  against  any  intrusion  or  damage  and  to  prevent  any  disturbance  of  the  peace  of  the
mission or impairment  of its dignity.

3. The  premises  of  the  mission,  their  furnishings  and  other  property  thereon  and  the  means  of transport  of the mission shall be immune from  search, requisition,  attachment  or execution.

Article 23

1. The  sending  State  and  the  head  of  the  mission  shall  be  exempt  from  all  national,  regional  or municipal  dues and  taxes in  respect  of the  premises  of  the  mission,  whether  owned  or  leased, other  than
such as represent  payment for specific services rendered.

2. The  exemption  from  taxation  referred  to  in  this  article  shall  not  apply  to  such  dues  and  taxes
payable under the law of the receiving  State  by persons contracting  with  the sending  State or the head  of the mission.

Article 24

The archives and  documents  of the mission  shall be inviolable  at any time  and  wherever  they  may be.

Article 25

The receiving State shall accord full facilities  for the performance  of  the functions  of the mission.

Article 26

Subject  to  its  laws  and  regulations  concerning  zones  entry  into  which  is  prohibited  or  regulated for  reasons  of  national  security,  the  receiving  State  shall  ensure  to  all  members  of  the  mission  freedom
of movement  and travel in its territory.

Article 27

1. The  receiving  State  shall  permit  and  protect  free  communication  on  the  part  of  the  mission  for all  official  purposes.  In  communicating  with  the  Government  and  the  other  missions  and  consulates  of
the  sending  State,  wherever  situated,  the  mission  may  employ  all  appropriate  means,  including diplomatic  couriers  and messages in code  or cipher.  However,  the mission  may install  and use a wireless
transmitter  only with the consent of the receiving  State.

2. The  official  correspondence  of  the  mission  shall  be  inviolable.  Official  correspondence  means all correspondence  relating  to the mission and its functions.

3. The diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained.

4. The packages constituting  the  diplomatic  bag  must bear visible external  marks of their  character and may contain only diplomatic  documents  or articles intended for official  use.

5. The  diplomatic  courier,  who  shall  be  provided  with  an  official  document  indicating  his  status and the  number  of  packages constituting  the  diplomatic  bag,  shall  be protected  by  the  receiving  State  in
the performance  of  his  functions.  He  shall  enjoy  person  inviolability  and  shall  not  be liable  to  any form of arrest or detention.

6. The  sending  State  or  the  mission  may  designate  diplomatic  couriers  ad  hoc.  In  such  cases  the provisions  of  paragraph  5  of  this  article  shall  also  apply,  except  that  the  immunities  therein  mentioned
shall cease to apply when such  a courier  has delivered  to the consignee the diplomatic  bag in his charge.

7. A diplomatic  bag  may  be entrusted  to  the  captain  of  a commercial  aircraft  scheduled  to  land  at an  authorized  port  of  entry.  He  shall  be  provided  with  an  official  document  indicating  the  number  of  packages constituting  the  bag  but  he shall not be considered  to be a diplomatic  courier.  The mission  may send one of its  members  to  take  possession  of the diplomatic  bag  directly  and  freely  from  the  captain of
the aircraft.

Article 28

The fees and charges  levied by the mission in  the course of its official  duties shall be exempt from all dues and  taxes.

Article 29

The  person  of  a  diplomatic  agent  shall  be inviolable.  He  shall  not  be  liable  to  any  form  of  arrest or  detention.  The  receiving  State  shall  treat  him  with  due  respect  and  shall  take  all  appropriate  steps  to
prevent any attack on his person, freedom  or dignity.

Article 30

1. The private  residence  of  a diplomatic  agent  shall enjoy  the  same  inviolability  and  protection  as the premises of the mission.
2. His  papers,  correspondence  and,  except  as  provided  in  paragraph  3  of  article  31,  his  property,shall likewise enjoy inviolability.

Article 31
1. A  diplomatic  agent  shall  enjoy  immunity  from  the  criminal  jurisdiction  of  the  receiving  State.He shall also enjoy immunity  from  its  civil and administrative  jurisdiction,  except  in the case of:

(a) A real action relating to private  immovable  property  situated in the territory  of  the receiving  State,unless he holds it on behalf  of the sending State for the purposes of the mission;

(b) An  action  relating  to  succession  in  which  the  diplomatic  agent  is  involved  as  executor,administrator,  heir or legatee as a private  person and not  on behalf of the sending State;

(c) An action relating  to any  professional  or commercial  activity  exercised  by the  diplomatic  agent  in the receiving  State outside his official  functions.

2. A diplomatic  agent is not obliged  to give evidence as a witness.

3. No  measures  of  execution  may  be  taken  in  respect  of  a  diplomatic  agent  except  in  the  cases coming  under  subparagraphs  (a),  (b)  and  (c)  of  paragraph  1  of  this  article,  and  provided  that  the measures concerned  can be taken without  infringing  the inviolability  of his person or of his residence.

4. The immunity  of a diplomatic  agent from  the jurisdiction  of the receiving  State does  not exempt him from  the jurisdiction  of the sending State.

Article 32

1. The  immunity  from  jurisdiction  of  diplomatic  agents  and  of  persons  enjoying  immunity  under article 37 may be waived  by the sending State.

2. Waiver must always be express.

3. The  initiation  of  proceedings  by  a  diplomatic  agent  or  by  a  person  enjoying  immunity  from jurisdiction  under  article  37  shall  preclude  him  from  invoking  immunity  from  jurisdiction  in  respect  of
any counterclaim  directly connected  with  the principal  claim.
4. Waiver of immunity  from  jurisdiction  in  respect  of civil  or  administrative  proceedings  shall  not be held  to imply  waiver  of  immunity  in  respect  of  the  execution  of  the  judgement,  for  which  a  separate waiver shall be necessary.

Article 33

1. Subject  to  the  provisions  of  paragraph  3  of  this  article,  a diplomatic  agent  shall  with  respect  to services rendered  for  the  sending State  be exempt  from  social  security  provisions  which  may  be in force
in the receiving  State.

2. The  exemption  provided  for  in  paragraph  1  of  this  article  shall  also  apply  to  private  servants who are in the  sole employ of a diplomatic  agent, on condition:

(a) That they are not nationals of or permanently  resident in the receiving  State; and (b) That they  are covered  by the  social security provisions  which  may be in force  in the  sending State or a third State.

3. A diplomatic  agent who  employs persons to whom  the exemption  provided for  in paragraph  2 of this  article  does  not  apply  shall  observe  the  obligations  which  the  social  security  provisions  of  the receiving State impose upon employers.

4. The  exemption  provided  for  in  paragraphs  1  and  2  of  this  article  shall  not  preclude  voluntary participation  in  the  social  security  system  of  the  receiving  State  provided  that  such  participation  is
permitted  by that State.

5. The  provisions  of  this  article  shall  not  affect  bilateral  or  multilateral  agreements  concerning social  security  concluded  previously  and  shall  not  prevent  the  conclusion  of  such  agreements  in  the future.

Article 34

A diplomatic  agent shall  be exempt  from  all  dues  and  taxes, personal  or  real, national,  regional  or municipal,  except:

(a) Indirect taxes of a kind which  are normally incorporated  in the price of goods or services;

(b) Dues  and  taxes  on  private  immovable  property  situated  in  the  territory  of  the  receiving  State,unless he holds it on behalf of the sending State for the purposes of the mission;

(c) Estate, succession  or  inheritance  duties  levied  by  the  receiving  State,  subject  to  the  provisions  of paragraph  4 of article 39;

(d) Dues  and  taxes  on  private  income  having  its  source  in  the  receiving  State  and  capital  taxes  on investments made in commercial  undertakings  in  the receiving  State;

(e) Charges  levied for specific services rendered;

(f) Registration,  court  or  record  fees,  mortgage  dues  and  stamp  duty,  with  respect  to  immovable property, subject  to the provisions  of article  23.

Article 35

The  receiving  State  shall  exempt  diplomatic  agents  from  all  personal  services,  from  all  public service  of  any  kind  whatsoever,  and  from  military  obligations  such  as  those  connected  with requisitioning,  military  contributions  and billeting.

Article 36

1. The receiving  State  shall,  in accordance  with  such laws  and  regulations  as it may  adopt,  permit entry  of  and  grant  exemption  from  all  customs  duties,  taxes,  and  related  charges  other  than  charges  for
storage, cartage and similar services, on:

(a) Articles for the official  use of the  mission;

(b) Articles  for  the  personal  use  of  a  diplomatic  agent  or  members  of  his  family  forming  part  of  his household,  including  articles  intended  for his establishment.
2. The  personal  baggage  of  a  diplomatic  agent  shall  be  exempt  from  inspection,  unless  there  are serious  grounds  for  presuming  that  it  contains  articles  not  covered  by  the  exemptions  mentioned  in
paragraph  1 of this article, or articles the  import  or export  of which is prohibited  by the law  or controlled by  the  quarantine  regulations  of  the  receiving  State.  Such  inspection  shall  be  conducted  only  in  the
presence of the diplomatic  agent or of his authorized  representative.

Article 37

1. The members  of the family  of a diplomatic  agent  forming  part  of his household  shall, if they are not nationals of the receiving  State,  enjoy  the privileges  and immunities  specified  in articles 29 to 36.

2. Members  of  the  administrative  and  technical  staff  of  the  mission,  together  with  members  of their  families  forming  part  of  their  respective  households,  shall,  if  they  are  not  nationals  of  or permanently  resident  in the  receiving  State,  enjoy  the  privileges  and  immunities  specified  in  articles  29 to 35, except  that the immunity  from  civil  and administrative  jurisdiction  of the  receiving  State  specified
in  paragraph  1  of  article  31  shall  not  extend  to  acts  performed  outside  the  course  of  their  duties.  They shall  also  enjoy  the  privileges  specified  in  article  36,  paragraph  1,  in  respect  of  articles  imported  at  the
time of first installation.

3. Members  of the  service  staff  of  the mission  who  are not  nationals  of  or permanently  resident  in the  receiving  State  shall  enjoy  immunity  in  respect  of  acts  performed  in  the  course  of  their  duties, exemption  from  dues  and  taxes  on  the  emoluments  they  receive  by  reason  of  their  employment  and  the exemption  contained  in article 33.

4. Private  servants  of  members  of  the  mission  shall,  if  they  are  not  nationals  of  or  permanently resident in the receiving  State,  be exempt  from dues and taxes on the  emoluments  they  receive by  reason
of  their  employment.  In  other  respects,  they  may  enjoy  privileges  and  immunities  only  to  the  extent admitted  by  the  receiving  State.  However,  the  receiving  State  must  exercise  its  jurisdiction  over  those
persons in  such a manner as not to interfere  unduly  with the performance  of the functions  of the mission.

Article 38

1. Except insofar  as additional  privileges  and  immunities  may  be granted  by the receiving  State,  a diplomatic  agent  who  is  a  national  of  or  permanently  resident  in  that  State  shall  enjoy  only  immunity
from jurisdiction,  and inviolability,  in respect of official acts performed  in the exercise of his functions.

2. Other  members  of  the  staff  of  the  mission  and  private  servants  who  are  nationals  of  or permanently  resident  in  the  receiving  State  shall  enjoy  privileges  and  immunities  only  to  the  extent admitted  by  the  receiving  State.  However,  the  receiving  State  must  exercise  its  jurisdiction  over  those persons in  such a manner as not to interfere  unduly  with the performance  of the functions  of the mission.

Article 39

1. Every person  entitled  to  privileges  and  immunities  shall  enjoy  them  from  the  moment  he  enters the  territory  of  the  receiving  State  on  proceeding  to  take  up  his  post  or,  if  already  in  its  territory,  from
the moment  when  his  appointment  is  notified  to  the  Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs  or  such  other  ministry as may be agreed.

2. When  the  functions  of  a  person  enjoying  privileges  and  immunities  have  come  to  an  end,  such privileges  and  immunities  shall  normally  cease  at  the  moment  when  he leaves  the  country,  or  on  expiry
of a reasonable  period  in  which  to do so, but  shall subsist  until  that  time,  even  in case  of armed  conflict.

However,  with  respect  to  acts  performed  by  such  a  person  in  the  exercise  of  his  functions  as a  member of the mission, immunity shall continue  to subsist.

3. In  case  of  the  death  of  a  member  of  the  mission,  the  members  of  his  family  shall  continue  to enjoy  the  privileges  and  immunities  to  which  they  are  entitled  until  the  expiry  of  a reasonable  period  in
which to leave the country.

4. In the event of the death of a member of the mission not  a national  of or permanently  resident  in
the  receiving  State  or  a  member  of  his  family  forming  part  of  his  household,  the  receiving  State  shall permit  the  withdrawal  of  the  movable  property  of  the  deceased,  with  the  exception  of  any  property
acquired  in  the  country  the  export  of  which  was  prohibited  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Estate,  succession and  inheritance  duties  shall  not  be  levied  on  movable  property  the  presence  of  which  in  the  receiving
State was due solely to the presence there of the deceased as a member of  the mission or as a member  of the family  of a member of the mission.

Article 40

1. If a diplomatic  agent  passes through  or is in the territory  of a third  State, which  has granted  him a passport  visa  if such  visa  was  necessary,  while  proceeding  to  take  up or  to  return  to  his  post,  or  when
returning  to his  own  country,  the  third  State  shall  accord him  inviolability  and  such other  immunities  as may  be  required  to  ensure  his  transit  or  return.  The  same  shall  apply  in  the  case of  any  members  of his family  enjoying  privileges  or  immunities  who  are  accompanying  the  diplomatic  agent,  or  travelling separately to join him or to return  to their country.

2. In  circumstances  similar  to  those  specified  in  paragraph  1  of  this  article,  third  States  shall  not hinder  the  passage  of  members  of  the  administrative  and  technical  or  service  staff  of  a  mission,  and  of
members of their families,  through  their  territories.

3. Third  States  shall  accord  to  official  correspondence  and  other  official  communications  in transit,  including  messages  in  code  or  cipher,  the  same  freedom  and  protection  as  is  accorded  by  the
receiving  State.  They  shall  accord  to diplomatic  couriers,  who  have been  granted  a passport  visa if  such visa  was necessary,  and  diplomatic  bags  in transit,  the same  inviolability  and  protection  as the  receiving
State is bound to accord.

4. The obligations  of  third  States  under  paragraphs  1, 2 and  3 of  this  article  shall  also  apply  to the persons  mentioned  respectively  in  those  paragraphs,  and  to  official  communications  and  diplomatic
bags, whose presence in the  territory  of the  third State is due to force  majeure.

Article 41

1. Without  prejudice  to their  privileges  and  immunities,  it  is the  duty  of  all  persons  enjoying  such privileges  and  immunities  to  respect  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  receiving  State.  They  also  have  a
duty not to interfere  in the internal affairs  of that State.

2. All official  business  with  the  receiving  State  entrusted  to  the mission  by the  sending  State  shall be  conducted  with  or  through  the  Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs  of  the  receiving  State  or  such  other
ministry as may be agreed.

3. The premises  of the mission must  not  be used in any  manner incompatible  with  the functions  of the  mission  as  laid  down  in  the  present  Convention  or  by  other  rules  of  general  international  law  or  by any special agreements  in force between the sending and  the receiving  State.


Article 42

A  diplomatic  agent  shall  not  in the  receiving  State  practice for  personal  profit  any  professional  or commercial  activity.

Article 43

The function  of a diplomatic  agent comes to an end,  inter alia:

(a) On  notification  by  the  sending  State  to  the  receiving  State  that  the  function  of  the  diplomatic agent has come to an end;

(b) On notification  by  the  receiving  State  to the sending  State  that,  in accordance  with  paragraph  2 of article 9, it refuses  to recognize  the diplomatic  agent  as a member  of the mission.

Article 44

The  receiving  State  must,  even  in  case  of  armed  conflict,  grant  facilities  in  order  to  enable persons  enjoying  privileges  and  immunities,  other  than  nationals  of  the  receiving  State,  and  members  of
the families  of  such  persons  irrespective  of  their  nationality,  to  leave  at the  earliest  possible  moment.  It must,  in  particular,  in  case  of  need,  place  at  their  disposal  the  necessary  means  of  transport  for
themselves and their property.

Article 45

If  diplomatic  relations  are  broken  off  between  two  States,  or  if  a  mission  is  permanently  or temporarily  recalled:

(a) The  receiving  State  must,  even  in case  of  armed  conflict,  respect  and  protect  the  premises  of  the mission, together with its property and archives;

(b) The  sending  State  may  entrust  the  custody  of  the  premises  of  the  mission,  together  with  its property  and archives,  to a third State acceptable to the receiving  State;

(c) The  sending  State  may  entrust  the  protection  of  its  interests  and  those  of  its  nationals  to  a  third State acceptable  to the receiving  State.

Article 46

A sending State  may with  the prior  consent of a receiving  State,  and at the  request of  a third  State not  represented  in  the  receiving  State,  undertake  the  temporary  protection  of  the  interests  of  the  third
State and of its nationals
.
Article 47

1. In  the  application  of  the  provisions  of  the  present  Convention,  the  receiving  State  shall  not discriminate  as between States.

2. However, discrimination  shall not be regarded  as taking place:
(a) Where  the  receiving  State  applies  any  of  the  provisions  of  the  present  Convention  restrictively because of a restrictive  application  of that provision  to its mission in the  sending State;

(b) Where  by  custom  or  agreement  States  extend  to  each  other  more  favorable  treatment  than  is required by the provisions  of the present Convention.

Article 48

The  present  Convention  shall  be  open  for  signature  by  all  States  Members  of  the  United  Nations or  of  any  of  the  specialized  agencies  Parties  to  the  Statute  of  the  International  Court  of  Justice,  and  by
any  other  State  invited  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  United  Nations  to  become  a  Party  to  the Convention,  as follows:  until  31 October 1961  at the  Federal Ministry  for  Foreign  Affairs of Austria  and
subsequently, until 31 March 1962, at the United Nations Headquarters  in New York.

Article 49

The  present  Convention  is  subject  to  ratification.  The  instruments  of  ratification  shall  be deposited  with the Secretary-General  of the United  Nations.

Article 50

The present  Convention  shall remain  open  for  accession by any  State  belonging  to  any of the four categories  mentioned  in  article  48.  The  instruments  of  accession  shall  be  deposited  with  the  Secretary-General of the United  Nations.

Article 51

1. The present  Convention  shall  enter  into  force  on the  thirtieth  day  following  the  date  of  deposit of  the  twenty-second  instrument  of  ratification  or  accession  with  the  Secretary-General  of  the  United
Nations.

2. For  each  State  ratifying  or  acceding  to  the  Convention  after  the  deposit  of  the  twenty-second instrument  of  ratification  or  accession,  the  Convention  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  thirtieth  day  after
deposit by such State  of its instrument  of ratification  or accession.

Article 52

The  Secretary-General  of  the  United  Nations  shall  inform  all  States  belonging  to  any  of  the  four categories mentioned  in article 48:
(a) Of  signatures  to  the  present  Convention  and  of  the  deposit  of  instruments  of  ratification  or accession, in accordance  with articles 48, 49 and 50;

(b) Of the date on which the present Convention  will enter into force, in accordance with article 51.

Article 53

The  original  of  the  present  Convention,  of  which  the  Chinese,  English,  French,  Russian  and Spanish texts are equally  authentic,  shall be  deposited  with  the  Secretary-General  of  the United  Nations,
who shall send certified  copies  thereof  to all  States belonging  to  any of  the four  categories  mentioned  in article 48.

IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF  the  undersigned  Plenipotentiaries,  being  duly  authorized  thereto  by  their respective Governments,  have  signed the present Convention.

DONE at Vienna this eighteenth day of April one thousand nine hundred and sixty-one.

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