Article 41(1) of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Khairu Sobanchi made this Official Information request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The request was partially successful.
From: Khairu Sobanchi
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Can you please
(1) outline the expected rules of conduct for foreign diplomats operating in New Zealand, whether on a posting or formal or informal visit, and confirm whether MFAT and partner agencies such as the New Zealand Denfence Force abide by Article 41(1) of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which codifies a rule of international law that states that all diplomats "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of" the receiving state, and;
(2) Provide me with details of what disciplinary action MFAT or indeed the NZDF might take in the hypothetical case, for sake of example, that senior officers from MFAT or NZDF were found to be -
(a) aware of foreign diplomats interfering in the internal affairs of New Zealand,
And/or
(b) actively abetting foreign diplomats to interfer in the internal affairs of New Zealand, for sake of example, after that foreign diplomat had complainted that a protest action or the like was directly interfering in the private, for-profit business interests of -
(i) their citizens, residing in New Zealand;
(ii) their citizens, residing in their home country;
(iii) their immediate family;
(iv) their business partners, including New Zealand citizens with jobs at government departments directly related to their field of business;
(v) (or the interests of all of the above).
Yours faithfully,
Khairu Sobanchi
From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Thank you for your enquiry.
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Kind regards,
MFAT ENQUIRIES
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
[7]www.mfat.govt.nz | [8]www.safetravel.govt.nz
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References
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2. https://scholarship.force.com/CommunityF...
3. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/
4. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/embassies/
5. https://www.passports.govt.nz/
6. http://www.customs.govt.nz/
7. https://wlndcas.orange.mfat.net.nz/ecp/[... request email]/Organize/www.mfat.govt.nz
8. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
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From: ENQUIRIES
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Khairu Sobanchi,
Thank you for your OIA request , this email confirms receipt and advises that your request has been sent to the appropriate division for response.
Kind regards
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
www.mfat.govt.nz | www.safetravel.govt.nz
-----Original Message-----
From: Khairu Sobanchi [mailto:[FOI #7372 email]]
Sent: Saturday, 3 March 2018 10:59 p.m.
To: ENQUIRIES
Subject: Official Information request - Article 41(1) of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Can you please
(1) outline the expected rules of conduct for foreign diplomats operating in New Zealand, whether on a posting or formal or informal visit, and confirm whether MFAT and partner agencies such as the New Zealand Denfence Force abide by Article 41(1) of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which codifies a rule of international law that states that all diplomats "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of" the receiving state, and;
(2) Provide me with details of what disciplinary action MFAT or indeed the NZDF might take in the hypothetical case, for sake of example, that senior officers from MFAT or NZDF were found to be -
(a) aware of foreign diplomats interfering in the internal affairs of New Zealand,
And/or
(b) actively abetting foreign diplomats to interfer in the internal affairs of New Zealand, for sake of example, after that foreign diplomat had complainted that a protest action or the like was directly interfering in the private, for-profit business interests of -
(i) their citizens, residing in New Zealand;
(ii) their citizens, residing in their home country;
(iii) their immediate family;
(iv) their business partners, including New Zealand citizens with jobs at government departments directly related to their field of business;
(v) (or the interests of all of the above).
Yours faithfully,
Khairu Sobanchi
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"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."
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From: ESD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Khairu Sobanchi
Please see the attached letter regarding your OIA request.
Kind regards,
Executive Services Division
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | Manatū Aorere
T +64 4 439 8000 E [1][email address]
[2]www.mfat.govt.nz | [3]www.safetravel.govt.nz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The information contained in this email message is intended only for the
addressee and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the
Ministry. It may be legally privileged. If you are not the intended
recipient you must not use, disclose, copy or distribute this message or
the information in it as this may be unlawful. If you have received this
message in error, please email or telephone the sender immediately."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. file:///tmp/www.mfat.govt.nz
3. http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/
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