Wife of US diplomat faces extradition to UK

[CanuckTravlr]

Diplomatic immunity is often waived when a serious crime is committed that is not related to the diplomat's duties. In this case a 19-year-old young man was killed by Anne Sacoolas when she drove on the wrong side of the road outside the RAF base in the UK where her husband was stationed. The US State Department is apparently unwilling to waive immunity in this case after she fled the UK.

Very disappointing that she is not prepared to take full and proper responsibility for her actions and stand before a court. Her legal team is apparently trying to suggest she offer some type of "community service" where she would "talk" about how to prevent this type of thing from happening. Mind blowing sense of entitlement, IMO.

https://www.insider.com/anne-sacoolas-crash-trump-defense-driving-wrong-side-it-happens-2019-10

 

[am1]

Diplomatic immunity is often waived when a serious crime is committed that is not related to the diplomat's duties. In this case a 19-year-old young man was killed by Anne Sacoolas when she drove on the wrong side of the road outside the RAF base in the UK where her husband was stationed. The US State Department is apparently unwilling to waive immunity in this case after she fled the UK.

Very disappointing that she is not prepared to take full and proper responsibility for her actions and stand before a court. Her legal team is apparently trying to suggest she offer some type of "community service" where she would "talk" about how to prevent this type of thing from happening. Mind blowing sense of entitlement, IMO.

https://www.insider.com/anne-sacoolas-crash-trump-defense-driving-wrong-side-it-happens-2019-10

Par for the course. If the shoe was on the other foot how would the American public respond to an innocent person being killed?

 

[Patri]

Didn't this same thing happen to Matthew Broderick many years ago? And nothing happened to him.

 

[Talent312]

In 1987, while on vacation in Ireland with "Dirty Dancing" star Jennifer Grey, a car driven by Broderick [crossed into the wrong lane and] collided head-on with a Volvo. Broderick and Grey survived, but the two passengers in the other vehicle died. Broderick was faced with serving up to 10 years in prison for causing "death by dangerous driving." However, the actor was later fined just $175 and convicted of the lesser charge of "careless driving." Broderick has said that he remains haunted by the accident. - Inside Edition

 

[cissy]

Disgraceful.

 

[pedro47]

Disgusting, this is why we are called The Dirty Americans and The Spoil American in so many countries around the world.

 

[Rolltydr]

In 1987, while on vacation in Ireland with "Dirty Dancing" star Jennifer Grey (not pictured), a car driven by Broderick [crossed into the wrong lane and] collided head-on with a Volvo. Broderick and Grey survived, but the two passengers in the other vehicle died. Broderick was faced with serving up to 10 years in prison for causing "death by dangerous driving." However, the actor was later fined just $175 and convicted of the lesser charge of "careless driving." Broderick has said that he remains haunted by the accident. - Inside Edition

The Broderick case has nothing to do with diplomatic immunity. It appears his case was settled in the court system. While the punishment may not fit the crime, it was the punishment rendered by the court. Sacoolas, and so far the U.S. government, is saying she can’t even be tried by the court system because she has diplomatic immunity.

 

[Passepartout]

Diplomatic immunity should not apply to non-diplomat family members or provide immunity from civil actions. I agree. Disgraceful!

 

[bluehende]

There is a very good reason why diplomats need immunity. In this case though there is a reason why diplomatic immunity is waved by the diplomats home country. Abuses could go both ways and common sense usually rules.

 

[WVBaker]

RIGHTS UNDER THE VIENNA CONVENTION

".... under Articles 29 to 37, the spouse of a diplomat is automatically accorded the rights to inviolability – freedom from harm or molestation – and immunity – exemption from the laws of the receiving country."

".... the UK is also correct to note that, under Article 41, envoys and their dependents are expected to observe the laws of the receiving country. In addition, according to Article 10, typically, the receiving country should be notified of any decision to leave, which neither Sacoolas nor embassy officials did."

"Most significantly, the British argue that the privileges of the embassy and its staff begin and end at their border, under Article 39. In returning to the U.S., they say, Sacoolas has lost those rights and entitlements."

"Article 32 shows that the U.S. is in no way obliged to uphold any laws of immunity on Scoolas’ behalf and can waive them if it wishes. This is something that U.S. itself has requested and received from others in the past, such as when a Georgian diplomat struck and killed a Maryland teenager in 1997."

"Any decision by the British to press this issue will be a political choice, not a legal imperative."

https://www.american.edu/sis/news/2...us-just-send-anne-sacoolas-back-to-the-uk.cfm


Yet another example that diplomacy and virtue do not make easy companions. Remember, diplomacy is the art of letting the other party have things your way.

 

[Rolltydr]

Diplomatic immunity should not apply to non-diplomat family members or provide immunity from civil actions. I agree. Disgraceful!

I agree with you in principle. However, I can also see how a hostile government could use family members as bargaining chips in some situations. I do believe any government should be careful when it comes to protecting non-diplomats with blanket immunity.


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