Privileges and Immunities of Executive Heads and Other Senior Officials

Abstract

We have already seen that international officials are granted less extensive privileges, immunities, and exemptions than diplomatic agents. However, there are some officials at the topmost level who are accorded full diplomatic privileges and immunities. This category of officials obviously constitutes a very small number.⁷⁸ Section 21 of the Specialized Agencies Convention stipulates that in addition to the privileges and immunities enumerated in Sections 19 and 20 of the Convention, the executive head of each specialized agency and any official acting on his behalf shall enjoy privileges and immunities granted to diplomatic envoys. This applies to his spouse and minor children as well.⁷⁹ In the view of Sub-Committee 1 of the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations, on Coordination of the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and of the Specialized Agencies, the privileges and immunities granted to the officials under Sections 19 and 20 of the Specialized Agencies Convention were quite sufficient. Therefore, full diplomatic status should be conferred only upon officials holding very high positions.⁸⁰ According to Section 30 of the Specialized Agencies Convention, the executive heads, assistant executive heads, heads of departments and other officials of a rank not lower than head of department of the specialized agencies, shall be accorded the same facilities for travel as are accorded to the officials of comparable rank in diplomatic missions. This is true when these officials are travelling on the United Nations laissez-passer on the business of the specialized agencies.⁸¹