What is diplomatic immunity courier?

A diplomatic immunity courier is an individual who transports diplomatic mail and other official documents between diplomatic missions or between a diplomatic mission and its home government. They are recognised as diplomatic agents and therefore enjoy diplomatic immunity, meaning that they cannot be arrested or detained by the authorities of the country in which they are carrying out their duties.

Diplomatic immunity couriers are usually employees of the foreign ministry of the sending country, and are often selected for their discretion and trustworthiness. They are typically required to possess a valid passport, a visa for the country in which they are travelling, and a diplomatic identity card issued by their home government.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) provides for the inviolability of diplomatic bags, which means that they cannot be opened or inspected by the authorities of the transit country. Diplomatic immunity couriers are therefore responsible for ensuring that the contents of the diplomatic bags they are transporting are in compliance with the laws of both the sending and receiving countries.

The use of diplomatic immunity couriers is a vital part of international diplomacy, allowing for the secure and efficient exchange of confidential information between governments.