“The term diplomatic protection is not altogether precise. First, not only diplomatic agents and missions and other foreign offices may and do exercise diplomatic protection, but also, at a different level, consuls, and, although very rarely, military forces. Secondly, the term diplomatic protection does not clearly denote the boundary line to other diplomatic activities for the benefit of individuals, such as mere promotion of interests in one’s own nationals in a foreign State, or friendly intercessions with foreign authorities. Thus, diplomatic or consular actions to obtain concessions or other government contracts for nationals from the receiving State, or the arrangement of legal defense for a justly imprisoned national are not diplomatic protection in our sense; they are usually neither directed against the other State nor based on a real or alleged violation of international law. All these last-mentioned activities may be called diplomatic protection only if the term is taken in a very broad sense.” William Karl Geck, “Diplomatic Protection,” in 1 Encyclopedia of Public International Law 1046 (1992).
diplomatic protection
diplomatic protection. Protection given by one country’s representatives to a person, usu. its citizen, against another country’s alleged violation of international law.
