Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives, G.A. res. 51/156, 51 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 326, U.N. Doc. A/51/49 (Vol. I) (1996).


 
      The General Assembly,
 
      Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,
 
      Conscious of the need to develop and strengthen friendly relations and
cooperation among States,
 
      Convinced that respect for the principles and rules of international law
governing diplomatic and consular relations is a basic prerequisite for the
normal conduct of relations among States and for the fulfilment of the
purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
 
      Dismayed by the recent acts of violence against diplomatic and consular
representatives, as well as against representatives of international
intergovernmental organizations and officials of such organizations, which
have endangered or taken innocent lives and seriously impeded the normal work
of such representatives and officials,
 
      Concerned at the failure to respect the inviolability of diplomatic and
consular missions and representatives,
 
      Recalling that, 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,
 
      Recalling also that diplomatic and consular premises must not be used in
any manner incompatible with the diplomatic or consular functions,
 
      Emphasizing the duty of States to take all appropriate measures as
required by international law, including measures of a preventive nature, and
to bring offenders to justice,
 
      Welcoming measures already taken by States to this end in conformity
with their international obligations,
 
      Convinced that the role of the United Nations, which includes the
reporting procedures established under General Assembly resolution 35/168 of
15 December 1980 and further elaborated in later Assembly resolutions, is
important in promoting efforts to enhance the protection, security and safety
of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives,
 
      1.    Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;
 
      2.    Strongly condemns acts of violence against diplomatic and consular
missions and representatives, as well as against missions and representatives
of international intergovernmental organizations and officials of such
organizations, and emphasizes that such acts can never be justified;
 
      3.    Urges States to strictly observe, implement and enforce the
principles and rules of international law governing diplomatic and consular
relations and, in particular, to ensure, in conformity with their
international obligations, the protection, security and safety of the
missions, representatives and officials mentioned in paragraph 2 above
officially present in territories under their jurisdiction, including
practical measures to prohibit in their territories illegal activities of
persons, groups and organizations that encourage, instigate, organize or
engage in the perpetration of acts against the security and safety of such
missions, representatives and officials;
 
      4.    Also urges States to take all necessary measures at the national
and international levels to prevent any acts of violence against the missions,
representatives and officials mentioned in paragraph 2 above and to bring
offenders to justice;
 
      5.    Recommends that States should cooperate closely through, inter
alia, contacts between the diplomatic and consular missions and the receiving
State with regard to practical measures designed to enhance the protection,
security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives
and with regard to the exchange of information on the circumstances of all
serious violations thereof;
 
      6.    Urges States to take all appropriate measures, in accordance with
international law, at the national and international levels to prevent any
abuse of diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities, in particular
serious abuses, including those involving acts of violence;
 
      7.    Recommends that States should cooperate closely with the State in
whose territory abuses of diplomatic and consular privileges and immunities
may have occurred, including by exchanging information and providing
assistance to its judicial authorities in order to bring offenders to justice;
 
      8.    Calls upon States that have not yet done so to consider becoming
parties to the instruments relevant to the protection, security and safety of
diplomatic and consular missions and representatives;
 
      9.    Also calls upon States, in cases where a dispute arises in
connection with a violation of their international obligations concerning the
protection of the missions or the security of the representatives and
officials mentioned in paragraph 2 above, to make use of the means for the
peaceful settlement of disputes, including the good offices of the
Secretary-General, and requests the Secretary-General, when he deems it
appropriate, to offer his good offices to the States directly concerned;
 
      10.   Requests all States to report to the Secretary-General in
accordance with paragraph 9 of resolution 42/154 of 7 December 1987;
 
      11.   Requests the Secretary-General to issue a report on the item, in
accordance with paragraph 12 of resolution 42/154, containing also an
analytical summary of the reports received under paragraph 10 above, on an
annual basis, as well as to proceed with his other tasks pursuant to the same
resolution;
 
      12.   Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-third
session the item entitled "Consideration of effective measures to enhance the
protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and
representatives".
      
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