David Bigge
Attorney Advisor of the Department of State
New York, New York
October 18, 2022
Remarks at a Meeting of the Sixth Committee on Agenda Item 82: Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
For the normal conduct of relations among states, it is essential that the rules protecting the sanctity of ambassadors, other diplomats, and the premises of consular and diplomatic missions, are respected. These rules are critical to the functioning of diplomacy.
We call on all governments to fulfill this duty under international law by taking all appropriate steps to protect the premises of a diplomatic mission against any intrusion or damage, to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission, and to prevent any attack on members of the mission. As the nature and circumstances of attacks on diplomatic and consular personnel have evolved, so too must our preventive and protective measures. Any steps that are necessary and appropriate to protect a mission, and thus that would be required of the receiving state, will depend on the potential threats to a particular mission in that state. In addition, not everything is within a host state’s control. In such cases what matters is that states respond promptly and robustly to incidents that occur.
Mr. Chairman, we appreciate the opportunity that this discussion affords to reemphasize the importance of security for diplomatic missions and representatives. The international community has a vital stake in the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions because diplomacy is the foundation of international relations.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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