International diplomatic law and medicine amidst the covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The legal status of diplomats abroad is governed, inter alia, by international diplomatic law. This article examines whether this law overlaps with medical issues and if it does, in what way. The article identifies the respective rights and obligations on the part of the receiving State and on the part of the diplomatic agents of the sending States, emphasizing all diplomatic privileges and immunities in question. In particular, it analyses the question of health care of diplomats in the receiving State in more detail, as well as their participation in health and accident insurance contributions in the receiving State, compulsory vaccination of diplomats in the receiving State, the sampling of biological material from diplomats in the receiving State, autopsies and quarantines of diplomats in the receiving State.