3 ms·

An example of suing a diplomat/state without foreign policy considerations: an Indian diplomat was sued for underpaying her domestic help. In response, India pr

An example of suing a diplomat/state without foreign policy considerations: an Indian diplomat was sued for underpaying her domestic help. In response, India promptly sued spouses of American diplomats for tax evasion, illegal imports and fraud. Quoting from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devyani_Khobragade_incident https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devyani_Khobragade_incident "Former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha called for the arrest of same-sex companions of US diplomats, citing the Supreme Court of India's recent upholding of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.[72][73] The Indian government asked US consular officers posted in India to return all identity cards.[7][6] On December 17, 2013, Delhi Police removed security barricades on the road outside the US Embassy in New Delhi, citing need for improvement of traffic flow in that area.[74] India has demanded an unconditional apology from the US government[74] and asked the details of the salaries of all domestic help, gardeners and other staff employed by US consulates in India to check for inconsistency or frauds.[74] India moved to block perks such as alcohol and food imports at concessional rates, for embassy employees.[75] With new restrictions, U.S. Embassy Vehicles will not be immune to traffic violations, the restrictions also requires the embassy not to hold 'Commercial Activities' in its premises.[76] Indian income tax and immigration authorities are investigating allegations of work-permit, visa and income tax fraud at the American Embassy School.[77][78][79]"

Retric 10y ago
As a non diplomat this seems like a good thing on both sides. A reasonable consideration for different cultures is one thing, full immunity is a terrible idea.
- alistairSH 10y ago
  Sure, but where do you draw the line? And how to you prevent politicization? The tit-for-tat with India in the parent is a prime example of who blanket immunity is (probably) required. If a diplomat steps way out of line, you just escort them to the airport and ship them home.
  - Retric 10y ago
    My concern is it risks confusing things diplomats do vs. things countries do. If a diplomat runs does X and they are tried, well such is life. If diplomat does the same thing and leaves the country well such things can spark wars. Sure, this might mean some diplomats get trumped up charges, but we don't actually need to have diplomats in other countries either. IMO, it’s a historical holdover before light speed communication was cheap.
rayiner 10y ago
TIL that India outlaws same sex relationships. Looks like they're in great company: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13...
- Lordarminius 10y ago
  >TIL that India outlaws same sex relationships. They have their laws. You have yours; please dont try to impose your customs and beliefs on other people.
  - rayiner 10y ago
    There is right and wrong, and that is more important than respect for other cultures.
    - Lordarminius 10y ago
      >There is right and wrong, and that is more important than respect for other cultures. Well you should examine more deeply your concept of "respect", "right" and "wrong". America for instance punishes bigamy; when I am in America I respect the law. The vast majority of people in other parts of the world frown upon homosexuality and lesbianism. Don't try to bully a path to my accepting your point of view. I am not making a moral judgement in my argument; what I am simply saying is that Western standards of morality are not the world's standards. Respect other people These issues have been extensively discussed on other fora. No need to revisit them here. I come to HN for tech discussions.
      - tptacek 10y ago
        The government of apartheid South Africa "frowned upon" black people. Should we have been more tolerant of apartheid, or do you think persecution of gays is a lesser moral offense?
  - untog 10y ago

Retric 10y ago

As a non diplomat this seems like a good thing on both sides. A reasonable consideration for different cultures is one thing, full immunity is a terrible idea.

alistairSH 10y ago
Sure, but where do you draw the line? And how to you prevent politicization? The tit-for-tat with India in the parent is a prime example of who blanket immunity is (probably) required. If a diplomat steps way out of line, you just escort them to the airport and ship them home.
- Retric 10y ago
  My concern is it risks confusing things diplomats do vs. things countries do. If a diplomat runs does X and they are tried, well such is life. If diplomat does the same thing and leaves the country well such things can spark wars. Sure, this might mean some diplomats get trumped up charges, but we don't actually need to have diplomats in other countries either. IMO, it’s a historical holdover before light speed communication was cheap.

rayiner 10y ago

TIL that India outlaws same sex relationships. Looks like they're in great company: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13...

Lordarminius 10y ago
>TIL that India outlaws same sex relationships. They have their laws. You have yours; please dont try to impose your customs and beliefs on other people.
- rayiner 10y ago
  There is right and wrong, and that is more important than respect for other cultures.
  - Lordarminius 10y ago
    >There is right and wrong, and that is more important than respect for other cultures. Well you should examine more deeply your concept of "respect", "right" and "wrong". America for instance punishes bigamy; when I am in America I respect the law. The vast majority of people in other parts of the world frown upon homosexuality and lesbianism. Don't try to bully a path to my accepting your point of view. I am not making a moral judgement in my argument; what I am simply saying is that Western standards of morality are not the world's standards. Respect other people These issues have been extensively discussed on other fora. No need to revisit them here. I come to HN for tech discussions.
    - tptacek 10y ago
      The government of apartheid South Africa "frowned upon" black people. Should we have been more tolerant of apartheid, or do you think persecution of gays is a lesser moral offense?
- untog 10y ago