Intersections between Diplomatic Immunities and the Immunities of International Organizations
This chapter examines the immunities of international organizations and the impact of the VCDR on this legal regime. While the VCDR is not directly applicable in this context, consideration of the immunities of officials of international organizations and diplomats has intersected in various contexts. These intersections are apparent during the discussions surrounding the drafting of instruments dealing with international immunities (including in the International Law Commission) and also in arguments concerning the application of such immunities in courts (for example, the Supreme Court of New York’s consideration of Strauss-Kahn’s immunity claim). This chapter explores the legal framework that applies in such cases and also analyses the differences between the two systems. Finally, it examines cases where arguments relating to the right of access to the courts, first considered in the context of the immunities of international organizations, have been applied to State and diplomatic immunity.