So what is the definition of “Diplomatic Immunity”? According to ediplomat.com, “Diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law by which certain foreign government officials are not subject to the jurisdiction of local courts and other authorities”. Now here in the US, you have detained, kidnapped and are STILL holding captive going on 9 years, H.E. Malachi Kobina York, a foreign diplomat who proclaimed his diplomatic status as Consular General of the government of Liberia when he was stopped; offered and presented his credentials yet he was still detained, held captive, even sent to trial and convicted for crimes you could not prove AND had no evidence to support, (a violation of both the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, [Article 1.f, 26, 29, 31, and 37] and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, [Chapter II, Articles: 34, 35, 41.1-3, 42, 43.1-2, and 44]).
So in essence what the US is telling the world is: “It’s OK if ‘WE’ let one of ours go into foreign countries, snoop around and kill if discovered, then just hide under Diplomatic Immunity status; It’s OK if ‘WE’ detain, try and convict INNOCENT and LEGITIMATE Consular Generals/Foreign Diplomats of other countries with no evidence AT WILL in this country, but it’s not OK when another country holds one of OURS”. Raymond Davis can commit murder in cold blood and it’s OK. But H.E. Dr. Malachi Kobina York, a Foreign Diplomat, is PROVEN INNOCENT yet you convicted and sentenced him anyway and are still holding him to this day.
So which is it America? Look at how you exploit and manipulate Diplomatic Immunity laws and policy in your own country, but expect “special” and “fair” treatment when it comes to you and your people. If Raymond Davis gets to go free for murder, then the American public can expect the IMMEDIATE release of an innocent foreign diplomat H.E. Malachi Kobina York. Right is right…right? Or are you immune to your own diplomacy?
Robert Spight