Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations
Encyclopedia
The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, passed by the United Nations General Assembly
on 13 February 1946 in New York, and sometimes referred to as the "New York Convention", defines and specifies numerous issues relating to the status of the United Nations
, its assets, and officials, in terms of the privileges and immunities that must be granted to them by its Member States
.
On 21 November 1947, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies was adopted by GA resolution 179(II) to extend similar privileges to FAO, UNESCO, World Bank, IMF etc.
The conventions are in force "with regard to each State which has deposited an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations as from the date of its deposit", i.e. not merely by a state's membership in the UN. Several states, for example the United States of America, have accepted the conventions only with some reservations.
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
on 13 February 1946 in New York, and sometimes referred to as the "New York Convention", defines and specifies numerous issues relating to the status of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, its assets, and officials, in terms of the privileges and immunities that must be granted to them by its Member States
United Nations member states
There are 193 United Nations member states, and each of them is a member of the United Nations General Assembly.The criteria for admission of new members are set out in the United Nations Charter, Chapter II, Article 4, as follows:...
.
On 21 November 1947, the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies was adopted by GA resolution 179(II) to extend similar privileges to FAO, UNESCO, World Bank, IMF etc.
Key provisions
- Establishes Juridical personality of the UN (Art. I)
- UN premises shall be inviolable, and UN property shall be immune from search, requisition, confiscation etc. (Art. II)
- UN shall be exempt from taxes and customs duties as well as prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports (Art. II)
- Diplomatic immunityDiplomatic immunityDiplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...
of communications and mail (pouch) (Art. III) - Functional immunity of delegates (Art. IV), officials (Art. V) and experts (Art. VI)
- Recognition of United Nations Laissez-PasserUnited Nations Laissez-PasserA United Nations Laissez-Passer is a travel document issued by the United Nations under the provisions of Article VII of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations in its offices in New York and Geneva, as well as by the International Labor Organization...
(Art. VII)
The conventions are in force "with regard to each State which has deposited an instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations as from the date of its deposit", i.e. not merely by a state's membership in the UN. Several states, for example the United States of America, have accepted the conventions only with some reservations.