What does diplomatic immunity provide to foreign diplomats?

Diplomatic immunity is a vital principle in international relations that protects diplomats from legal action in the host country. This protection ensures that diplomats can perform their duties without fear of harassment or interference from the host nation’s legal system.

The rationale behind this principle is to facilitate diplomatic relations and ensure that diplomats can communicate and negotiate on behalf of their home countries without being subjected to legal risks that could impede their work. It allows diplomats to operate in an environment where their primary focus can be on diplomacy rather than legal concerns.

In addition to legal protection, diplomatic immunity also encompasses certain privileges, such as immunity from arrest and search, which further secures the diplomat's ability to function efficiently. However, it does not grant exemption from all international laws nor does it provide protection from being expelled; a diplomat can still be declared persona non grata and asked to leave a country. Furthermore, it does not entail freedom from diplomatic negotiations, as negotiations are a core part of a diplomat's role, meaning myriad interactions with the representatives of the host country occur regularly.

In short, the core feature of diplomatic immunity is to safeguard diplomats from legal actions in the host country, thereby facilitating smooth diplomatic relations.