The States Parties to the present Convention,

Recalling that consular  relations  have been  established  between  peoples  since  ancient  times,

Having in mind the Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United  Nations  concerning  the sovereign equality of States, the maintenance of international peace  and  security,  and  the  promotion  of friendly relations among nations,

Considering that the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic   Intercourse   and   Immunities adopted the Vienna  Convention  on  Diplomatic  Relations  which  was  opened  for  signature  on  18  April 1961,

Believing that an  international  convention  on  consular  relations,  privileges  and  immunities  would also contribute to the development of friendly relations among nations, irrespective of their  differing constitutional and social systems,

Realizing that the purpose of such privileges  and  immunities  is  not  to  benefit  individuals  but  to ensure the efficient performance of functions by consular posts on behalf of their respective States,

Affirming that the rules of customary international law continue to  govern  matters  not  expressly regulated by the provisions of the present Convention,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1 Definitions

  1. For the purposes of the present Convention, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereunder assigned to them:
  • “consular  post”  means  any  consulate-general,  consulate,  vice-consulate  or  consular  agency;
  • “consular district” means the area assigned to a consular  post  for  the  exercise  of  consular functions;
  • “head of consular post” means the person charged with the duty of acting in that capacity;
  • “consular officer” means any person, including the head of  a  consular post, entrusted in  that capacity with the exercise of consular functions;
  • “consular employee” means any person employed in the administrative or technical service  of  a consular post;
  • “member of the service  staff”  means  any  person  employed  in  the  domestic  service  of a  consular post;
  • “members of the consular post” means consular officers,  consular  employees  and members  of  the service staff;
  • “members of the consular staff” means consular officers, other than  the  head  of a  consular  post, consular employees and members of the service staff;
  • “member of  the  private  staff”  means  a  person  who  is  employed  exclusively  in  the  private  service of a member of the consular post;
  • “consular premises” means the buildings or parts of  buildings and  the  land  ancillary  thereto, irrespective of ownership, used exclusively for the purposes of the consular post;
  • “consular archives” includes all the papers, documents,  correspondence,  books,  films,  tapes  and registers of the consular post, together with the ciphers  and  codes,  the  card-indexes  and  any  article  of furniture intended for their protection or safe keeping.
  • Consular officers are of two categories, namely career consular  officers  and  honorary  consular officers. The provisions of Chapter II of the present Convention apply to consular posts  headed  by career consular  officers,  the  provisions of  Chapter  III  govern consular  posts  headed  by  honorary consular officers.
  • The particular  status  of members  of  the  consular  posts  who  are nationals  or  permanent  residents of the receiving State is governed by article 71 of the present Convention.

CHAPTER I.

CONSULAR RELATIONS IN GENERAL

SECTION I.              ESTABLISHMENT AND CONDUCT OF CONSULAR RELATIONS

Article   2 Establishment of consular relations

  1. The establishment  of consular relations  between  States  takes place  by mutual  consent.
  • The consent given to the establishment of diplomatic relations between two States implies, unless otherwise stated, consent to the establishment of consular relations.
  • The severance of diplomatic relations shall not  ipso  facto  involve  the  severance  of  consular relations.

Article 3

Exercise of consular  functions

Consular functions are exercised by consular posts. They are also exercised   by   diplomatic missions in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention.

Article 4 Establishment of a consular post

  1. A consular post may be established in the territory of the receiving  State  only  with  that State’s consent.
  • The seat of  the  consular  post,  its  classification  and  the  consular  district  shall  be  established  by the sending State and shall be subject to the approval of the receiving State.
  • Subsequent  changes  in  the  seat  of  the  consular  post,  its  classification  or  the  consular  district may be made by the sending State only with the consent of the receiving State.
  • The consent of the receiving State shall  also  be  required  if  a  consulate-general  or  a  consulate desires to open a vice-consulate or a consular agency in a locality other than  that  in  which  it is  itself established.
  • The prior express consent  of  the  receiving  State  shall  also  be  required  for  the  opening  of  an office forming part of an existing consular post elsewhere than at the seat thereof.

Article 5 Consular functions

Consular functions  consist in:

  • protecting in the receiving State the  interests  of  the  sending  State  and  of  its  nationals,  both individuals and bodies corporate, within the limits permitted by international law;
  • furthering the development of commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations  between  the sending State and the receiving State and  otherwise promoting friendly relations between them in accordance with the provisions of the present Convention;
  • ascertaining by  all lawful means conditions and developments in the  commercial,   economic, cultural  and  scientific  life  of  the  receiving  State,  reporting  thereon  to  the  Government  of  the  sending State and giving information to persons interested;
  • issuing passports and travel documents to nationals of the sending State, and visas or appropriate documents to persons wishing to travel to the sending State;
  • helping and assisting nationals,  both  individuals  and bodies corporate,  of the sending  State;
  • acting as notary and civil registrar and  in  capacities  of  a  similar  kind,  and  performing  certain functions of an administrative nature, provided that there is nothing  contrary  thereto  in  the  laws  and regulations of the receiving State;
  • safeguarding the  interests  of  nationals, both individuals   and  bodies   corporate,   of  the  sending States in cases of succession  mortis  causa  in the  territory  of  the  receiving  State,  in  accordance  with  the laws and regulations of the receiving State;
  • safeguarding, within the limits imposed by the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  receiving  State,  the interests of minors and other persons lacking  full  capacity  who  are  nationals  of  the  sending  State, particularly where any guardianship or trusteeship is required with respect to such persons;
  • subject to the practices and procedures obtaining in the receiving State, representing or arranging appropriate representation  for  nationals  of the  sending  State  before  the  tribunals  and  other  authorities  of the receiving State, for the purpose of  obtaining,  in  accordance  with  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the receiving State, provisional measures for the  preservation  of  the  rights  and  interests  of  these  nationals, where, because  of  absence  or  any  other  reason,  such  nationals  are  unable  at  the  proper  time  to  assume the defence of their rights and interests;
  • transmitting judicial  and  extrajudicial  documents  or  executing  letters  rogatory  or  commissions  to take evidence for  the  courts  of the  sending  State  in  accordance  with  international  agreements  in  force  or, in the absence of such international agreements, in  any  other  manner  compatible  with  the  laws  and regulations of the receiving State;
  • exercising rights of supervision and  inspection  provided  for  in  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the sending  State  in  respect  of  vessels  having  the  nationality  of  the  sending  State,  and  of  aircraft  registered in that State, and in respect of their crews;
  • extending assistance to  vessels  and  aircraft  mentioned  in  subparagraph  (k)  of  this  article,  and  to their  crews,  taking  statements regarding  the  voyage  of  a  vessel,  examining  and  stamping  the  ship’s papers, and, without prejudice to the powers of  the  authorities of  the  receiving State, conducting investigations into any incidents which occurred  during  the  voyage,  and  settling  disputes  of  any  kind between the master, the officers and the seamen insofar  as  this  may  be  authorized  by  the  laws  and regulations of the sending State;
  • performing any other functions entrusted to a consular post by the  sending  State  which  are  not prohibited by the laws and regulations of the receiving State or  to  which  no  objection  is  taken  by  the receiving  State  or  which  are  referred  to  in  the  international  agreements  in  force  between  the  sending State and the receiving State.

Article 6

Exercise of consular  functions  outside  the consular  district

A consular officer may,  in  special  circumstances,  with  the  consent  of  the  receiving  State,  exercise his functions outside his consular district.

Article 7

Exercise of consular functions in a third State

The  sending  State  may,  after  notifying  the  States  concerned,  entrust  a  consular  post  established  in a  particular State  with the  exercise of  consular  functions in  another  State, unless  there  is  express objection by one of the States concerned.

Article 8

Exercise of consular functions on behalf of a third State

Upon appropriate notification  to  the  receiving  State,  a  consular  post  of  the  sending  State  may, unless the receiving State objects,  exercise  consular  functions  in the  receiving  State  on behalf  of  a third State.

Article 9

Classes of heads of consular posts

  1. Heads of consular posts are divided into four classes, namely
  • consuls-general;
  • consuls;
  • vice-consuls;
  • consular  agents.
  • Paragraph 1 of this article  in  no  way  restricts  the  right  of  any  of  the  Contracting  Parties  to  fix the designation of consular officers other than the heads of consular posts.

Article 10

Appointment  and admission  of heads of consular  posts

  1. Heads  of consular  posts  are appointed  by  the sending  State  and  are admitted  to  the exercise  of their functions by the receiving State.
  • Subject to  the provisions  of the  present  Convention,  the  formalities  for  the  appointment  and  for the admission of the head of a consular post are  determined  by  the  laws,  regulations  and  usages  of the sending State and of the receiving State respectively.

Article 11

The consular  commission  or notification  of appointment

  1. The head of a consular post  shall be  provided  by  the  sending  State  with  a document,  in  the  form of a commission or similar instrument, made out for each appointment, certifying his capacity and

showing, as a general rule, his full name, his category and class, the consular  district  and the  seat  of  the consular post.

  • The sending State shall  transmit the commission  or similar instrument  through  the  diplomatic  or other  appropriate  channel  to  the  Government  of  the  State  in  whose  territory  the  head  of a  consular  post is to exercise his functions.
  • If the receiving State agrees, the sending State may, instead of  a  commission or similar instrument,  send  to  the  receiving  State  a  notification  containing  the  particulars   required  by  paragraph  1 of this article.

Article 12 The exequatur

  1. The head of a consular  post  is admitted  to the  exercise  of  his  functions  by  an authorization  from the receiving State termed an exequatur, whatever the form of this authorization.
  • A State which  refused  to grant  an exequatur  is  not  obliged  to  give  to  the  sending  State  reasons for such refusal.
  • Subject to the provisions of articles 13 and 15, the head of a consular post shall not enter upon his duties until he has received an exequatur.

Article 13

Provisional admission  of heads  of consular posts

Pending delivery of the exequatur, the  head  of a  consular  post  may  be  admitted  on  a  provisional basis to the exercise of his functions. In that case, the provisions of the present Convention shall apply.

Article 14

Notification  to the authorities  of the consular  district

As soon as the head of a  consular  post  is  admitted  even  provisionally  to  the  exercise  of  his functions,  the  receiving  State  shall  immediately notify   the  competent  authorities   of  the  consular  district. It shall also ensure  that  the  necessary  measures  are  taken  to  enable  the  head  of a  consular  post  to  carry out the duties of his office and to have the benefit of the provisions of the present Convention.

Article 15

Temporary exercise of the functions  of the head of a consular post

  1. If the head of a consular post is unable to  carry  out  his  functions  or  the  position  of  head  of consular post is vacant, an acting head of post may act provisionally as head of the consular post.
  • The full name of the acting head of post shall be notified either by the diplomatic  mission  of the sending State or, if that State has no such mission in the receiving State, by the head of the consular

post, or, if he is unable to do so, by  any  competent  authority  of  the  sending  State,  to  the  Ministry  for Foreign Affairs  of  the receiving  State  or  to the  authority  designated  by  that  Ministry.  As a  general  rule, this  notification  shall  be  given  in  advance.  The  receiving  State  may  make  the  admission  as  acting  head of post of a person who is neither a diplomatic agent  nor  a consular  officer  of the  sending  State  in the receiving State conditional on its consent.

  • The competent authorities  of  the  receiving  State  shall  afford  assistance  and  protection  to  the acting head of post.  While  he  is  in  charge  of  the  post,  the  provisions  of  the  present  Convention  shall apply to  him  on  the same  basis  as to  the  head  of the consular  post  concerned.  The receiving  State  shall not, however,  be obliged  to grant  to an  acting head  of post  any facility,  privilege  or immunity  which  the head of the consular post enjoys only subject to conditions not fulfilled by the acting head of post.
  • When, in the  circumstances referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, a  member of the diplomatic staff of the diplomatic  mission  of the sending State in the receiving  State is designated  by the sending  State  as  an  acting  head  of  post,  he  shall,  if the  receiving  State  does  not object  thereto,  continue to enjoy diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Article 16

Precedence as between heads  of consular posts

  1. Heads of  consular  posts  shall  rank  in  each  class  according  to  the  date  of  the  grant  of  the

exequatur.

  • If, however, the  head  of  a  consular  post  before  obtaining  the  exequatur  is  admitted  to  the exercise of his functions provisionally, his precedence shall be determined according to the date  of  the provisional admission; this precedence shall be maintained after the granting of the exequatur.
  • The order of precedence as between two or more  heads  of  consular  posts  who  obtained  the exequatur  or  provisional  admission  on  the  same  date  shall  be  determined   according  to  the  dates  on which  their  commissions  or  similar  instruments  or  the  notifications  referred  to  in  paragraph  3  of  article 11 were presented to the receiving State.
  • Acting heads of  posts  shall  rank  after  all heads  of  consular  posts  and,  as  between  themselves, they shall rank according to the dates on which they assumed their functions as acting  heads  of posts  as indicated in the notifications given under paragraph 2 of article 15.
  • Honorary consular officers  who are heads of  consular  posts  shall rank  in each  class after  career heads of consular posts, in the order and according to the rules laid down in the foregoing paragraphs.
  • Heads of consular posts shall have precedence  over consular officers  not having that status.

Article 17

Performance of diplomatic  acts  by consular  officers

  1. In a State where the sending State  has  no  diplomatic  mission  and  is  not  represented  by  a diplomatic mission of a third State, a consular officer may, with the consent of the receiving State, and

without affecting his  consular  status,  be authorized  to  perform  diplomatic  acts.  The performance  of  such acts by a consular officer shall  not  confer  upon him  any  right  to  claim  diplomatic privileges and immunities.

  • A  consular  officer  may,  after  notification  addressed  to  the  receiving  State,  act  as  representative of the sending State to any  intergovernmental  organization.  When  so  acting,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  enjoy any privileges and immunities accorded to such a representative by customary international law or  by international  agreements;  however,  in  respect  of  the  performance  by  him  of  any  consular  function,  he shall not be entitled to any greater immunity  from  jurisdiction  than  that  to  which  a  consular  officer  is entitled under the present Convention.

Article 18

Appointment of the same person by two or more States as a consular officer

Two or more States may, with the consent of the  receiving  State,  appoint  the  same  person  as  a consular officer in that State.

Article 19

Appointment  of members of consular  staff

  1. Subject to the provisions of articles 20, 22 and  23,  the  sending  State  may  freely  appoint  the members of the consular staff.
  • The full name, category  and class of  all consular  officers,  other  than the head of  a consular  post, shall be notified by the sending State to the receiving State in sufficient time for the receiving State, if it so wishes, to exercise its rights under paragraph 3 of article 23.
  • The sending State may,  if  required  by  its  laws  and  regulations,  request  the  receiving  State  to grant an exequatur to a consular officer other than the head of a consular post.
  • The receiving  State  may,  if  required  by  its  laws  and  regulations, grant  an  exequatur  to  a consular officer other than the head of a consular post.

Article 20

Size of the consular staff

In the absence of an express  agreement as to the  size of the consular  staff, the receiving State  may require that the size  of  the  staff  be  kept  within  limits  considered  by  it  to  be  reasonable  and  normal, having regard to circumstances and conditions in the consular district and  to  the  needs  of the  particular consular post.

Article 21

Precedence as between consular  officers of a consular  post

The order  of  precedence  as  between  the  consular  officers  of  a  consular  post  and  any  change thereof shall be notified by the  diplomatic  mission  of  the  sending  State  or,  if  that  State  has  no  such mission in the receiving State, by the head of the consular post, to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs  of the receiving State or to the authority designated by that Ministry.

Article   22 Nationality of consular officers

  1. Consular officers should, in principle, have the nationality of the sending State.
  • Consular officers may not  be  appointed  from among  persons  having  the  nationality of  the receiving State except with the express consent of that State which may be withdrawn at any time.
  • The receiving State may  reserve  the same  right  with  regard  to nationals  of a third  State  who  are not also nationals of the sending State.

Article 23

Persons declared “non grata”

  1. The receiving State  may  at any time  notify  the  sending  State  that  a  consular  officer  is  persona non grata or  that  any  other  member  of  the  consular  staff  is  not  acceptable.  In  that  event,  the  sending State shall, as the case may be, either recall  the  person  concerned  or  terminate  his  functions  with  the consular post.
  • If the sending State refuses or fails within a reasonable time to carry out  its  obligations  under paragraph 1 of this article,  the  receiving  State  may,  as  the  case  may  be,  either  withdraw  the  exequatur from the person concerned or cease to consider him as a member of the consular staff.
  • A person  appointed  as  a  member  of  a  consular post  may  be  declared  unacceptable before arriving in the territory of the  receiving  State  or, if already  in the receiving  State, before  entering  on  his duties with the consular post. In any such case, the sending State shall withdraw his appointment.
  • In the cases mentioned  in paragraphs  1  and 3 of  this article,  the receiving  State  is not obliged  to give to the sending State reasons for its decision.

Article 24

Notification to the receiving State of appointments, arrivals and departures

  1. The Ministry for Foreign  Affairs  of  the  receiving  State  or  the  authority  designated by  that Ministry shall be notified of:
  • the  appointment  of  members  of  a  consular  post,  their  arrival  after  appointment  to  the  consular post,  their  final  departure  or  the  termination  of  their  functions  and  any  other  changes  affecting  their status that may occur in the course of their service with the consular post;
  • the arrival and final departure of a person belonging  to the family  of a member  of a consular  post forming part  of  his  household  and,  where  appropriate,  the  fact  that  a  person  becomes  or  ceases  to  be such a member of the family;
  • the arrival and final departure of  members of the  private staff and, where  appropriate, the termination of their service as such;
  • the engagement  and  discharge  of persons  resident  in the  receiving  State  as members  of a consular post or as members of the private staff entitled to privileges and immunities.
  • When possible, prior  notification  of arrival and final departure shall also be given.

SECTION II.

END OF CONSULAR  FUNCTIONS

Article 25

Termination of the functions of a member of a consular post

The functions of a member of a consular post shall come to an end, inter alia:

  • on notification by the sending State to the receiving State that his functions have come to an end;
  • on withdrawal  of the exequatur;
  • on notification by the receiving State to the sending State  that  the  receiving  State  has  ceased  to consider him as a member of the consular staff.

Article 26

Departure from the territory of the receiving State

The receiving State  shall,  even  in  case  of  armed  conflict,  grant  to  members  of  the  consular  post and members of the private staff, other than  nationals  of  the  receiving  State,  and  to  members  of  their families forming part of their households irrespective  of  nationality,  the  necessary  time  and  facilities  to enable them  to  prepare  their  departure  and  to leave  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  after  the  termination of the functions  of  the members  concerned.  In  particular,  it  shall,  in  case  of need,  place  at their  disposal the necessary means of transport for themselves and their property  other  than  property  acquired  in  the receiving State the export of which is prohibited at the time of departure.

Article 27

Protection of consular premises and archives and of the interests of the sending State in exceptional circumstances

  1. In the event of the severance of consular relations  between two States:
  • the receiving State shall, even in case of armed conflict,  respect and protect  the consular premises, together with the property of the consular post and the consular archives;
  • the sending State may entrust the custody of the  consular  premises,  together  with  the  property contained therein and the consular archives, to a third State acceptable to the receiving State;
  • the sending State may  entrust  the  protection  of  its  interests  and  those  of  its  nationals  to  a  third State acceptable to the receiving State.
  • In the event of the temporary or permanent closure of a consular post, the provisions of subparagraph (a) of paragraph 1 of this article shall apply. In addition,
  • if the sending State, although not represented in the receiving  State  by  a  diplomatic  mission,  has another consular post  in  the  territory  of  that  State,  that  consular  post  may  be  entrusted  with  the  custody of the premises of the  consular  post  which  has been  closed,  together  with  the  property  contained  therein and the consular archives, and, with the consent  of  the  receiving  State,  with  the  exercise  of  consular functions in the district of that consular post; or
  • if the sending  State  has  no  diplomatic  mission  and  no  other  consular  post  in  the  receiving  State, the provisions of subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 of this article shall apply.

CHAPTER II.

FACILITIES, PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

RELATING TO CONSULAR POSTS, CAREER CONSULAR

OFFICERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF A CONSULAR POST

SECTION I. FACILITIES, PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES RELATING TO A CONSULAR POST

Article 28

Facilities for the work of the consular post

The receiving  State shall accord  full facilities  for the performance  of the functions of the consular

post.

Article 29

Use of national flag  and coat-of-arms

  1. The sending State shall have the right to the use of its national flag  and  coat-of-arms  in  the receiving State in accordance with the provisions of this article.
  • The national flag of  the  sending  State  may  be  flown  and  its  coat-of-arms  displayed  on  the building occupied by  the  consular  post  and  at the  entrance  door  thereof,  on  the  residence  of the  head  of the consular post and on his means of transport when used on official business.
  • In the exercise of the  right  accorded  by  this  article  regard  shall  be  had  to the  laws,  regulations and usages of the receiving State.

Article 30 Accommodation

  1. The receiving State shall  either  facilitate  the  acquisition  on  its  territory,  in  accordance  with  its laws and regulations, by the sending State of premises necessary for its consular post or assist the latter in obtaining accommodation in some other way.
  • It  shall  also,  where  necessary,  assist  the  consular  post  in  obtaining  suitable  accommodation  for its members.

Article 31

Inviolability  of the consular  premises

  1. Consular premises  shall be inviolable  to the extent provided in this article.
  • The authorities of  the receiving  State  shall  not enter  that  part  of the consular  premises which  is used exclusively for  the purpose  of the  work  of  the consular  post  except  with  the  consent  of the  head  of the consular post or of his designee or  of  the head  of  the diplomatic  mission  of the  sending  State.  The consent of the head of the consular post  may,  however,  be  assumed  in  case  of  fire  or  other  disaster requiring prompt protective action.
  • Subject to  the  provisions  of  paragraph  2  of  this  article,  the  receiving  State  is  under  a  special duty to take all appropriate  steps  to protect the consular premises  against any intrusion  or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the consular post or impairment of its dignity.
  • The consular premises, their furnishings, the  property  of  the  consular  post  and  its  means  of transport shall be immune  from  any  form  of  requisition  for  purposes  of  national  defence  or  public  utility. If expropriation is necessary for such purposes, all possible steps shall be taken to avoid impeding the performance of consular functions, and prompt, adequate and effective  compensation  shall be paid  to the sending State.

Article 32

Exemption from taxation  of consular  premises

  1. Consular premises and the residence  of  the  career  head  of  consular  post  of  which  the  sending State or any  person acting  on  its  behalf  is the  owner  or lessee  shall  be  exempt  from  all national,  regional or municipal dues and taxes  whatsoever,  other  than  such  as  represent  payment  for  specific  services rendered.
  • The exemption from  taxation  referred  to  paragraph  1 of  this  article  shall not apply  to  such dues and taxes if, under the law of the receiving State, they are payable by the person  who contracted  with  the sending State or with the person acting on its behalf.

Article 33

Inviolability  of the consular  archives  and documents

The consular archives and documents shall be inviolable  at all times and wherever they may be.

Article 34 Freedom of movement

Subject  to  its  laws  and  regulations  concerning   zones  entry  into  which  is  prohibited  or  regulated for reasons of national security, the receiving State shall  ensure  freedom  of movement  and  travel  in  its territory to all members of the consular post.

Article   35 Freedom of communication

  1. The receiving State  shall  permit  and  protect  freedom  of  communication on  the  part  of  the consular post  for  all  official  purposes.  In  communicating  with  the  Government,  the  diplomatic  missions and other consular posts, wherever situated, of the sending  State,  the  consular  post  may  employ  all appropriate  means,  including  diplomatic   or  consular  couriers,  diplomatic   or  consular  bags  and  messages in code or cipher. However, the consular post may  install  and  use  a  wireless  transmitter  only  with  the consent of the receiving State.
  • The official  correspondence  of  the  consular  post  shall  be  inviolable.  Official  correspondence means all correspondence relating to the consular post and its functions.
  • The consular bag shall be neither opened nor detained. Nevertheless, if   the   competent authorities  of  the  receiving  State  have  serious  reason  to  believe  that  the  bag  contains  something  other than  the  correspondence,  documents   or  articles  referred  to  in  paragraph  4  of  this  article,  they  may request that the  bag  be  opened  in their  presence  by  an authorized  representative  of  the  sending  State.  If this request is refused by the authorities  of  the  sending  State,  the  bag  shall  be  returned  to  its  place  of origin.
  • The packages  constituting  the  consular  bag  shall  bear  visible  external  marks  of  their  character and may contain  only  official  correspondence  and documents  or  articles  intended  exclusively  for  official use.
  • The consular courier shall be provided with an  official  document  indicating  his  status  and  the number  of  packages  constituting   the  consular  bag.  Except  with  the  consent  of  the  receiving  State  he shall be neither a national of the receiving State, nor, unless  he  is  a  national  of  the  sending  State,  a permanent resident  of  the  receiving  State.  In  the  performance  of  his  functions  he  shall  be  protected  by the receiving State. He shall enjoy personal inviolability and shall not be liable to  any form  of arrest  or detention.
  • The  sending State, its diplomatic missions and its consular posts may   designate   consular couriers  ad  hoc.  In  such  cases  the  provisions  of  paragraph  5  of this  article  shall  also  apply  except  that the  immunities therein mentioned shall cease  to apply when  such a  courier has delivered   to  the consignee the consular bag in his charge.
  • A consular bag may  be  entrusted  to  the  captain  of  a  ship  or  of  a  commercial  aircraft  scheduled to land at an authorized port  of  entry.  He  shall  be  provided  with  an  official  document  indicating  the number of packages constituting the bag, but he shall not be considered to be  a  consular  courier.  By arrangement  with  the  appropriate  local  authorities,   the  consular  post  may  send  one  of  its  members  to take possession of the bag directly and freely from the captain of the ship or of the aircraft.

Article 36

Communication and  contact  with  nationals of the sending State

  1. With a view  to facilitating  the exercise of consular functions  relating to nationals  of the sending

State:

  • consular officers shall be  free  to  communicate  with  nationals  of  the  sending  State  and  to  have access to them. Nationals of the sending State shall have the same freedom with respect to communication with and access to consular officers of the sending State;
  • if he so requests, the competent authorities of the receiving State shall,  without  delay,  inform  the consular post of the sending State if, within its consular district, a national  of  that  State  is  arrested  or committed to prison or to custody pending trial or is detained in any other manner.  Any  communication addressed to the  consular  post  by  the  person  arrested,  in  prison,  custody  or  detention  shall  be  forwarded by  the  said  authorities  without  delay.  The  said  authorities  shall  inform  the  person  concerned  without delay of his rights under this subparagraph;
  • consular officers shall have the right  to  visit  a  national  of  the  sending  State  who  is  in  prison, custody or detention,  to  converse  and  correspond  with  him  and  to  arrange  for  his  legal  representation. They shall also have the right to visit any national  of  the  sending  State  who  is  in  prison,  custody  or detention in their district in pursuance  of a  judgement.  Nevertheless,  consular  officers  shall refrain  from taking action  on behalf  of a national  who is in prison,  custody or detention  if he expressly  opposes  such action.
  • The rights referred  to  in  paragraph  1  of  this  article  shall  be  exercised  in  conformity  with  the laws and regulations of the receiving State, subject  to  the  proviso,  however,  that  the  said  laws  and regulations must enable full effect to be  given  to the  purposes  for  which  the  rights  accorded  under  this article are intended.

Article 37

Information in cases of deaths, guardianship or trusteeship, wrecks and air accidents

If the relevant information is available to the competent authorities of the receiving  State, such authorities shall have the duty:

  • in the case of  the  death  of a  national  of  the  sending  State,  to  inform  without  delay  the  consular post in whose district the death occurred;
  • to inform the competent consular post  without  delay  of  any  case  where  the  appointment  of  a guardian or trustee appears to be in the interests of a minor or other person  lacking  full capacity who  is a national of the sending State. The giving of this information shall, however,  be without  prejudice  to the operation of the laws and regulations of the receiving State concerning such appointments;
  • if  a  vessel,  having the  nationality of  the  sending State, is  wrecked or  runs aground in  the territorial sea or internal waters of  the  receiving  State,  or  if  an  aircraft  registered  in  the  sending  State suffers an accident  on  the  territory  of  the  receiving  State,  to  inform  without  delay  the  consular  post nearest to the scene of the occurrence.

Article 38

Communication  with  the authorities  of the receiving State

In the exercise of their functions,  consular officers  may address:

  • the competent  local authorities  of their  consular  district;
  • the competent central  authorities  of  the  receiving  State  if and  to  the extent  that  this  is allowed  by the laws, regulations and usages of the receiving State or by the relevant international agreements.

Article  39 Consular fees and charges

  1. The consular post may levy in the territory of the receiving State the fees and charges provided by the laws and regulations of the sending State for consular acts.
  • The sums collected in the form of the fees and charges referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, and the receipts for such fees and charges, shall be exempt from all dues and taxes in the receiving State.

SECTION II.

FACILITIES, PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

RELATING TO CAREER CONSULAR OFFICERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF A CONSULAR POST

Article   40 Protection of consular officers

The  receiving  State  shall  treat  consular  officers  with  due  respect  and  shall  take  all  appropriate steps to prevent any attack on their person, freedom or dignity.

Article 41

Personal inviolability  of  consular  officers

  1. Consular officers shall  not be liable  to arrest  or  detention  pending  trial,  except in  the case  of a grave crime and pursuant to a decision by the competent judicial authority.
  • Except in the case  specified in  paragraph 1  of this  article, consular officers shall  not  be committed to prison or be liable  to  any  other  form  of  restriction  on  their  personal  freedom  save  in execution of a judicial decision of final effect.
  • If criminal proceedings are instituted against  a  consular  officer,  he  must  appear  before  the competent authorities. Nevertheless, the proceedings shall be  conducted  with  the  respect  due  to  him  by reason of his official position and,  except  in the  case specified  in paragraph  1  of this article,  in a manner which will hamper the exercise of consular functions as little as possible.  When,  in  the  circumstances mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article,  it  has  become  necessary  to  detain  a  consular officer,  the proceedings against him shall be instituted with the minimum of delay.

Article 42

Notification  of arrest, detention  or prosecution

In the event of the arrest or  detention,  pending  trial,  of  a  member  of  the  consular  staff,  or  of criminal  proceedings  being  instituted  against  him,  the  receiving  State  shall  promptly  notify  the  head  of the consular post. Should the latter  be himself  the  object  of any  such  measure,  the  receiving  State  shall notify the sending State through the diplomatic channel.

Article  43 Immunity from jurisdiction

  1. Consular  officers and  consular employees  shall not  be  amenable to  the  jurisdiction   of  the judicial or administrative authorities of the receiving State in respect of acts performed  in  the exercise of consular functions.
  • The provisions  of  paragraph  1  of  this  article  shall  not,  however,  apply  in  respect  of  a  civil action either:
  • arising out of a contract concluded by a consular officer  or a consular  employee  in which  he did not contract expressly or impliedly as an agent of the sending State; or
  • by a third party for damage arising from an accident in the  receiving  State  caused  by  a  vehicle, vessel or aircraft.

Article  44 Liability to give evidence

  1. Members of a  consular  post  may  be  called  upon  to  attend  as witnesses  in  the  course  of  judicial or administrative proceedings. A consular  employee  or  a  member  of  the  service  staff  shall  not,  except  in the cases mentioned in paragraph 3 of this  article,  decline  to give  evidence.  If a consular  officer  should decline to do so, no coercive measure or penalty may be applied to him.
  • The authority requiring the evidence of a consular officer shall  avoid  interference  with  the performance of  his  functions.  It  may,  when  possible,  take  such  evidence  at  his  residence  or  at  the consular post or accept a statement from him in writing.
  • Members of a consular post are  under  no  obligation to  give evidence concerning matters connected with  the  exercise  of  their  functions  or  to  produce  official correspondence  and  documents relating thereto. They are  also  entitled  to  decline  to  give  evidence  as expert  witnesses  with  regard  to the law of the sending State.

Article 45

Waiver of privileges  and immunities

  1. The sending State may  waive,  with  regard to  a  member  of  the  consular  post,  any  of  the privileges and immunities provided for in articles 41, 43 and 44.
  • The waiver shall  in all  cases  be  express,  except  as provided  in paragraph  3  of  this  article,  and shall be communicated to the receiving State in writing.
  • The initiation of proceedings  by  a consular  officer or a consular  employee  in a matter  where  he might  enjoy  immunity  from jurisdiction under  article  43  shall  preclude  him  from   invoking  immunity from jurisdiction in respect of any counterclaim directly connected with the principal claim.
  • The waiver of immunity from jurisdiction for the purposes of civil   or   administrative proceedings shall not  be  deemed  to  imply the  waiver  of  immunity  from  the  measures  of  execution resulting from the judicial decision; in respect of such measures, a separate waiver shall be necessary.

Article 46

Exemption from registration  of aliens  and residence permits

  1. Consular officers and consular employees and members of their families forming part of their households shall be exempt from all obligations  under  the laws  and regulations  of the  receiving  State  in regard to the registration of aliens and residence permits.
  • The provisions of paragraph  1  of this article  shall not,  however,  apply to  any consular  employee who is not  a  permanent  employee  of  the  sending  State  or  who  carries  on  any  private  gainful  occupation in the receiving State or to any member of the family of any such employee.

Article  47 Exemption from work permits

  1. Members of the consular post shall, with respect to services  rendered  for  the  sending  State,  be exempt from any obligations in regard  to  work  permits  imposed  by  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the receiving State concerning the employment of foreign labour.
  • Members of the  private  staff  of consular officers  and of consular  employees shall,  if they  do not carry  on  any  other  gainful  occupation  in  the  receiving  State,  be  exempt  from  the  obligations  referred  to in paragraph 1 of this article.

Article 48

Social  security  exemption

  1. Subject to the  provisions  of  paragraph  3  of  this  article,  members  of  the  consular  post  with respect to services rendered  by them  for the sending  State,  and members  of their families  forming  part  of their households, shall  be exempt  from  social  security  provisions  which  may be in force  in the receiving State.
  • The exemption provided for in paragraph 1  of  this  article  shall  apply  also  to  members  of  the private staff who are in the sole employ of members of the consular post, on condition:
  • that they are not nationals of or permanently  resident in the receiving State;  and
  • that they are covered by the social security provisions which are in force in the sending State or a third State.
  • Members of the consular post who employ persons to  whom  the  exemption  provided  for  in paragraph 2  of  this article  does not  apply  shall  observe the  obligations which the  social  security provisions of the receiving State impose upon employers.
  • The exemption provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall not preclude voluntary participation in the social security  system  of  the  receiving  State,  provided  that  such  participation is permitted by that State.

Article 49 Exemption from taxation

  1. Consular officers and consular employees and members of their families forming part of their households shall be exempt from all  dues  and  taxes,  personal  or  real,  national,  regional  or  municipal, except:
  • indirect taxes of a kind which are normally incorporated  in the price of goods or services;
  • dues  or  taxes  on  private  immovable property situated in  the  territory  of  the  receiving   State, subject to the provisions of article 32;
  • estate, succession  or  inheritance  duties,  and  duties  on  transfers, levied  by  the  receiving  State, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of article 51;
  • dues  and taxes  on private  income,  including  capital  gains,  having  its  source  in the receiving  State and capital taxes relating to  investments  made  in  commercial  or  financial  undertakings  in  the  receiving State;
  • charges  levied for specific  services  rendered;
  • registration, court or  record  fees,  mortgage  dues  and  stamp  duties,  subject  to  the  provisions  of article 32.
  • Members of the service staff shall  be  exempt  from  dues  and  taxes  on  the  wages  which  they receive for their services.
  • Members  of  the  consular  post  who  employ  persons  whose  wages  or  salaries  are  not  exempt from income  tax  in the  receiving  State  shall  observe  the  obligations  which  the  laws  and  regulations  of that State impose upon employers concerning the levying of income tax.

Article 50

Exemption from customs  duties  and inspection

  1. The receiving State shall,  in accordance  with  such laws  and  regulations  as it may  adopt,  permit entry of and grant exemption from all customs duties, taxes,  and  related  charges  other  than  charges  for storage, cartage and similar services, on:
  • articles for the official use of the consular post;
  • articles for the personal use of a consular officer or members of his  family  forming  part  of  his household,  including  articles  intended  for  his  establishment.  The  articles  intended  for  consumption  shall not exceed the quantities necessary for direct utilization by the persons concerned.
  • Consular employees shall enjoy the privileges and  exemptions  specified  in  paragraph  1  of  this article in respect of articles imported at the time of first installation.
  • Personal  baggage accompanying consular  officers and  members   of  their  families   forming   part of their  households  shall  be  exempt  from  inspection.  It  may  be  inspected  only  if  there  is  serious  reason to believe that it contains articles other than those  referred  to  in subparagraph  (b)  of paragraph  1  of this article, or  articles  the  import  or  export  of  which  is  prohibited by  the  laws  and  regulations of  the receiving State  or  which  are  subject  to  its  quarantine  laws  and  regulations.  Such  inspection  shall  be carried out in the presence of the consular officer or member of his family concerned.

Article 51

Estate of a member of the  consular  post or of a member of his family

In the  event of  the death  of a  member  of  the consular  post  or of  a member  of his  family  forming part of his household, the receiving State:

  • shall permit the export of the movable property of the deceased,  with  the  exception  of  any  such property acquired in the receiving State the export of which was prohibited at the time of his death;
  • shall  not  levy  national,  regional or  municipal  estate,   succession  or  inheritance   duties,  and  duties on transfers, on movable property the presence of  which  in  the  receiving  State  was  due  solely  to  the presence in that State of the deceased as a member  of the consular  post or as a member  of the family of a member of the consular post.

Article 52

Exemption  from  personal  services  and  contributions

The receiving State shall exempt members  of  the  consular  post  and  members  of  their  families forming part of their households from all  personal services, from all  public service of any  kind whatsoever, and from military obligations such as those connected with requisitioning, military contributions and billeting.

Article 53

Beginning and end of consular privileges  and immunities

  1. Every member of the consular post shall  enjoy  the  privileges  and  immunities  provided  in  the present  Convention  from  the moment  he enters  the  territory  of  the  receiving  State  on proceeding  to  take up his post or, if already in its territory,  from  the  moment  when  he enters  on  his duties  with  the consular post.
  • Members of the family of a member of the  consular  post  forming  part  of  his  household  and members of his private staff shall receive the privileges and immunities provided in the present Convention  from  the  date  from  which  he  enjoys  privileges  and  immunities  in  accordance  with  paragraph 1 of this article or from  the date  of their  entry  into  the territory of  the receiving  State  or from  the date  of their becoming a member of such family or private staff, whichever is the latest.
  • When the functions of a member of the consular post have come to an end, his privileges  and immunities and those of a member of his family forming part of his household or a member of his

private staff shall  normally  cease  at the  moment  when  the  person concerned  leaves  the  receiving  State  or on the expiry  of a  reasonable  period  in  which  to  do  so,  whichever  is the  sooner,  but  shall  subsist  until that time, even in case of armed  conflict.  In  the  case  of  the  persons  referred  to  in  paragraph  2  of this article, their privileges and immunities shall come  to an end when they cease to belong  to the household or to be in the service of a member of the consular  post  provided,  however,  that  if  such  persons  intend leaving the receiving State  within  a  reasonable  period  thereafter,  their  privileges  and  immunities  shall subsist until the time of their departure.

  • However, with respect to acts performed by a  consular  officer  or  a  consular  employee  in  the exercise of his functions, immunity from jurisdiction shall continue to subsist without limitation of time.
  • In the event of the death of  a  member  of  the consular  post,  the  members  of  his  family  forming part of his household shall continue  to  enjoy  the  privileges  and  immunities  accorded  to  them  until  they leave the receiving  State  or until  the  expiry  of a  reasonable  period  enabling  them  to  do  so, whichever  is the sooner.

Article 54 Obligations of third States

  1. If a consular  officer passes through or is in the territory of a third  State, which  has granted  him a visa if a visa  was necessary, while  proceeding  to take  up or return  to his post or when  returning to the sending State, the third State shall accord  to him  all immunities  provided  for  by the other  articles  of the present Convention as may  be required  to  ensure  his transit  or return.  The same  shall  apply  in the  case of any  member  of  his  family  forming  part  of  his  household  enjoying  such  privileges  and  immunities  who are accompanying the  consular  officer  or  travelling  separately  to  join  him  or  to  return  to  the  sending State.
  • In circumstances similar to those specified in  paragraph  1  of  this  article,  third  States  shall  not hinder the transit through their territory of other members  of  the  consular  post  or  of  members  of  their families forming part of their households.
  • Third States shall  accord  to  official  correspondence  and  to  other  official  communications  in transit, including messages in code or cipher,  the  same  freedom  and protection  as  the  receiving  State  is bound to accord under the present Convention.  They  shall  accord  to  consular  couriers  who  have  been granted a visa, if a  visa  was  necessary,  and  to  consular  bags  in  transit,  the  same  inviolability and protection as the receiving State is bound to accord under the present Convention.
  • The obligations of third States under paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of  this article  shall also  apply  to the persons  mentioned respectively in  those paragraphs,   and  to  official   communications   and  to  consular bags, whose presence in the territory of the third State is due to force majeure.

Article 55

Respect for the laws and regulations of the receiving State

  1. Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities  to  respect  the  laws  and  regulations  of  the  receiving  State.  They  also  have  a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of the State.
  • The consular  premises  shall  not  be  used  in  any  manner  incompatible with the  exercise  of consular functions.
  • The provisions of paragraph 2 of this article shall not exclude the possibility of offices of other institutions or  agencies  being installed  in part  of  the  building in  which  the  consular   premises  are situated, provided  that  the  premises  assigned  to  them  are  separate  from  those  used  by  the  consular  post. In that  event,  the  said  offices  shall  not,  for  the  purposes  of  the  present  Convention,  be  considered  to form part of the consular premises.

Article 56

Insurance against third  party risks

Members of the consular post shall comply  with  any  requirements imposed  by  the  laws  and regulations  of the receiving  State,  in  respect of  insurance against  third  party  risks  arising  from  the use of any vehicle, vessel or aircraft.

Article 57

Special  provisions  concerning  private  gainful  occupation

  1. Career consular officers shall not carry on  for  personal  profit  any  professional  or  commercial activity in the receiving State.
  • Privileges  and immunities  provided in this chapter shall not be accorded:
  • to consular employees or to members of the service staff who carry on any private gainful occupation in the receiving State;
  • to members of the family of a person referred to in subparagraph (a) of  this  paragraph  or  to members of his private staff;
  • to members of the family of a member  of  a  consular  post  who  themselves  carry on  any  private gainful occupation in the receiving State.

CHAPTER III.

REGIME RELATING TO HONORARY CONSULAR

OFFICERS AND CONSULAR POSTS HEADED BY SUCH OFFICERS

Article 58

General provisions relating to facilities, privileges and immunities

  1. Articles 28, 29,  30, 34,  35, 36,  37, 38  and  39,  paragraph  3  of  article  54 and  paragraphs  2  and  3 of article 55 shall  apply  to  consular  posts  headed  by  an  honorary  consular  officer.  In  addition,  the facilities,  privileges  and immunities  of  such  consular  posts  shall  be  governed  by  articles  59,  60, 61  and 62.
  • Articles 42 and 43,  paragraph  3  of article  44,  articles  45  and 53  and  paragraph  1  of article  55 shall apply to honorary consular officers. In  addition,  the  facilities,  privileges  and  immunities  of  such consular officers shall be governed by articles 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67.
  • Privileges and  immunities  provided  in  the  present  Convention  shall  not be  accorded  to  members of the family of an honorary  consular  officer  or  of  a  consular  employee  employed  at  a  consular  post headed by an honorary consular officer.
  • The  exchange of  consular bags between two  consular posts headed by   honorary   consular officers in different States shall not be  allowed without the consent of the two receiving States concerned.

Article 59

Protection of the consular  premises

The receiving State shall take such steps as may be necessary to protect the consular premises  of a consular post headed by an honorary consular officer against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the consular post or impairment of its dignity.

Article 60

Exemption from taxation  of consular  premises

  1. Consular premises of  a  consular  post  headed  by  an  honorary  consular  officer  of  which  the sending State is the owner  or  lessee  shall  be  exempt  from  all  national,  regional  or  municipal  dues  and taxes whatsoever, other than such as represent payment for specific services rendered.
  • The exemption from  taxation  referred  to  in  paragraph  l  of  this  article  shall  not  apply  to  such dues and taxes if,  under  the  laws  and regulations  of  the  receiving  State,  they  are  payable  by the  person who contracted with the sending State.

Article 61

Inviolability  of consular  archives and  documents

The consular archives and  documents  of  a  consular  post  headed  by  an  honorary  consular  officer shall be  inviolable  at  all  times  and  wherever  they  may  be,  provided  that  they  are  kept  separate  from other papers and  documents  and, in  particular,  from  the  private  correspondence  of the head  of a consular post and of any person working with him, and from the materials, books or  documents  relating  to their profession or trade.

Article    62 Exemption from customs duties

The receiving State shall,  in  accordance  with  such  laws  and  regulations  as  it  may  adopt,  permit entry of, and grant exemption from all customs duties, taxes, and  related  charges  other  than  charges  for storage,  cartage  and  similar  services  on the  following  articles,  provided  that  they  are  for  the  official  use of a consular post headed by  an  honorary  consular  officer:  coats-of-arms,  flags,  signboards,  seals  and stamps,  books,  official  printed  matter,  office  furniture,  office   equipment  and  similar  articles  supplied  by or at the instance of the sending State to the consular post.

Article 63 Criminal proceedings

If criminal  proceedings  are  instituted  against  an  honorary  consular  officer,  he  must  appear  before the  competent  authorities.  Nevertheless,  the  proceedings  shall  be  conducted  with  the  respect  due  to  him by reason of  his  official  position  and,  except  when  he  is  under  arrest  or  detention,  in  a  manner  which will hamper the exercise  of  consular  functions  as  little  as  possible.  When  it  has  become  necessary  to detain an honorary consular  officer,  the proceedings  against  him shall be instituted  with  the minimum  of delay.

Article 64

Protection of honorary  consular  officers

The receiving State  is  under  a  duty  to accord  to  an  honorary  consular  officer  such  protection  as may be required by reason of his official position.

Article 65

Exemption from registration  of aliens  and residence permits

Honorary consular officers, with the exception of those who carry  on  for  personal  profit  any professional or commercial  activity  in  the receiving  State,  shall be exempt  from  all obligations  under  the laws and regulations of the receiving State in regard to the registration  of aliens and residence permits.

Article 66 Exemption from taxation

An honorary consular officer shall be exempt from all dues and taxes on the remuneration  and emoluments which he receives from the sending State in respect of the exercise of consular functions.

Article 67

Exemption  from  personal  services  and  contributions

The  receiving  State  shall  exempt  honorary  consular  officers   from  all  personal  services  and  from all public services of any kind whatsoever and from military obligations such as those connected with requisitioning, military contributions and billeting.

Article 68

Optional character of the institution of honorary consular officers

Each State is free to decide whether it will appoint or receive honorary consular officers.

CHAPTER IV.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 69

Consular agents who are not heads of consular posts

  1. Each State is free to decide whether it will establish or  admit  consular  agencies  conducted  by consular agents not designated as heads of consular post by the sending State.
  • The conditions under which  the consular  agencies  referred  to  in paragraph  1 of  this article  may carry on their  activities  and  the  privileges  and  immunities  which  may  be  enjoyed  by  the  consular  agents in charge of them shall be determined by agreement between the sending State and the receiving State.

Article 70

Exercise of consular  functions  by diplomatic  missions

  1. The provisions of  the  present  Convention  apply  also,  so  far  as  the  context  permits,  to  the exercise of consular functions by a diplomatic mission.
  • The names of members of a diplomatic mission  assigned  to  the  consular  section  or  otherwise charged with the exercise of the consular functions of  the  mission  shall  be  notified  to  the  Ministry  for Foreign Affairs of the receiving State or to the authority designated by that Ministry.
  • In the exercise of consular functions  a diplomatic  mission may address:
  • the local authorities  of the consular district;
  • the central authorities  of  the  receiving  State  if  this  is  allowed  by  the  laws,  regulations  and  usages of the receiving State or by relevant international agreements.
  • The  privileges  and  immunities  of  the  members  of  a  diplomatic  mission  referred  to  in  paragraph 2 of this article shall continue to be governed by  the  rules  of  international  law  concerning  diplomatic relations.

Article 71

Nationals or permanent  residents of the receiving State

  1. Except insofar as additional facilities, privileges and immunities may be granted   by   the receiving  State,  consular  officers  who  are  nationals   of  or  permanently   resident  in  the  receiving  State shall enjoy only immunity from jurisdiction and personal inviolability in respect of official   acts performed  in  the exercise  of their  functions,  and  the privileges  provided  in  paragraph  3  of article  44.  So far as these consular  officers  are  concerned,  the  receiving  State  shall likewise  be bound  by the  obligation laid down in article 42. If  criminal proceedings are instituted against  such  a  consular officer, the proceedings shall, except when he  is  under  arrest  or  detention,  be  conducted  in  a  manner  which  will hamper the exercise of consular functions as little as possible.
  • Other members of  the  consular post  who  are  nationals of  or permanently resident in  the receiving State and members of their families, as well  as  members  of  the  families  of  consular  officers referred to in paragraph 1  of this  article,  shall  enjoy  facilities,  privileges  and immunities  only  insofar  as these are granted to them by  the  receiving  State.  Those  members  of  the  families  of  members  of  the consular post and those members of the  private  staff  who  are  themselves  nationals  of  or  permanently resident in the  receiving  State  shall  likewise  enjoy  facilities,  privileges  and  immunities  only  insofar  as these are granted to  them by  the  receiving  State. The  receiving  State shall,  however, exercise its jurisdiction over those  persons  in such  a way  as not to hinder  unduly  the  performance  of  the  functions  of the consular post.

Article 72

Non-discrimination

  1. In the application of the provisions of the present Convention  the  receiving  State  shall  not discriminate as between States.
  • However, discrimination  shall not be regarded  as taking  place:
  • where the receiving State applies  any of  the provisions of the  present Convention restrictively because of a restrictive application of that provision to its consular posts in the sending State;
  • where by custom or agreement States extend to each other more favourable treatment  than  is required by the provisions of the present Convention.

Article 73

Relationship between the present Convention and other international agreements

  1. The  provisions of  the  present  Convention   shall  not  affect  other  international   agreements   in force as between States Parties to them.
  • Nothing in the present Convention shall preclude States from   concluding   international agreements confirming or supplementing or extending or amplifying the provisions thereof.

CHAPTER V. FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 74 Signature

The present  Convention  shall  be  open  for  signature  by  all  States  Members  of  the  United  Nations or of any of the  specialized  agencies  or  Parties  to  the Statute  of the International  Court  of Justice,  and by any other State invited by the General  Assembly  of  the  United  Nations  to  become  a  Party  to  the Convention, as  follows: until  31  October  1963 at  the  Federal  Ministry for  Foreign Affairs of  the Republic of Austria and subsequently, until  31  March 1964,  at the  United  Nations  Headquarters  in  New York.

Article 75 Ratification

The present Convention is subject to ratification. The instruments of   ratification   shall   be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 76 Accession

The present Convention shall remain open for accession by any State belonging to any of the four categories mentioned in article 74. The instruments of  accession  shall  be  deposited  with  the  Secretary- General of the United Nations.

Article    77 Entry into force

  1. The present  Convention  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  thirtieth  day  following  the  date  of  deposit of the twenty-second instrument of ratification  or  accession  with  the  Secretary-General of  the  United Nations.
  • For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit  of  the  twenty-second instrument of ratification or accession,  the  Convention  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  thirtieth  day  after deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.

Article 78

Notifications  by  the  Secretary-General

The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all States belonging to any  of the  four categories mentioned in article 74:

  • of signatures to the present Convention and of the deposit of instruments of  ratification  or accession, in accordance with articles 74, 75 and 76;
  • of the date on which the present Convention will enter into force, in accordance with article 77.

Article 79 Authentic texts

The original  of  the  present  Convention, of  which  the  Chinese,  English,  French,  Russian  and Spanish texts  are equally  authentic,  shall be  deposited  with  the  Secretary-General  of  the United  Nations, who shall send certified copies  thereof  to all States belonging  to any of  the four  categories  mentioned  in article 74.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized  thereto  by  their respective Governments, have signed the present Convention.

DONE at Vienna this twenty-fourth  day of April, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-three.