Toward U.S. Acceptance of the International Criminal Court

The US would be undermining its own interests by insisting on insulation of its personnel as the price for its toleration or support for the International Criminal Court. Broomhall argues that the US ought, in its own interest, to lay the foundations for eventually supporting the ICC, notwithstanding the potential (albeit remote) risk of investigation of its nationals

Consular Officer\u27s Amenability as Witness

Contrary to the extensive immunities granted to members of the diplomatic service, members of consular posts are given only limited privileges and immunities. The existence and limitation of consular immunities arise by virtue of the office. Thus the consular officer can be called upon to testify in both civil and criminal matters under common law, international law, and treaty provision. In the absence of a treaty, consuls are generally exempt from giving testimony relating to matters acquired within the scope of their official duties or as to material contained in the consular archives. The purpose of this paper is to examine various treaty provisions in an effort to ascertain the manner in which a consular officer\u27s obligation to testify is set forth, the immunities given such officer and some of the problems raised by both the obligation and the immunities