The Diplomatic Immunities (Conferences with Commonwealth Countries) Act, 1963

An Act to provide for conferring certain immunities on Representatives of Governments of Commonwealth countries attending conferences in Bangladesh and on their official staffs. WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for conferring certain immunities on representatives of Governments of Commonwealth countries attending conferences in Bangladesh and on their official staffs;

Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Diplomatic Immunities (Conferences with Commonwealth Countries) Act, 1963.

(2) It extends to the whole of Bangladesh.

(3) It shall come into force at once.

Section 2. Definitions

In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-

Section 3. Application of Act reciprocal

If the Government is satisfied that the Government of any country within the Commonwealth has made provision for extending to the representatives of the Government of Bangladesh attending conferences in that country and their official staff immunities similar to those provided for in this Act, it may, by notification in the official Gazette, declare that this Act applies to such country, and thereupon the provisions of this Act shall, during the period such notification remains in force, apply accordingly.

Section 4. Compilation and Publication of lists

(1) Where a conference is held in Bangladesh and is attended by representatives of the Government of Bangladesh and of the Government or Governments of one or more countries to which this Act applies, the Secretary shall compile, and cause to be published in the official Gazette, a list of the representatives of such Government or Governments and members of their official staffs, showing separately-

(2) Whenever it appears to the Secretary that any person ceases or begins to be qualified for inclusion in a list, he may amend the list and cause the amendment, or, if he thinks fit, an amended list, to be published in the official Gazette.

(3) Every list or amendment published under this section in relation to any conference shall include a statement of the date from which the list or amendment takes or took effect.

Section 5. Diplomatic Immunities of Commonwealth Representatives attending Conferences in Bangladesh

(1) Every representative who is for the time being included in a list shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), be entitled to the immunity from suit and legal process, and to the inviolability of residence, official premises and official archives, to which he would be entitled if he were an envoy.

(2) Every member of the official staff who is for the time being included in a list shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), be entitled to the immunity from suit and legal process to which he would be entitled if the representative under whose orders he is employed were an envoy.

(3) Where a representative or a member of an official staff is or is deemed to be a citizen of Bangladesh, he shall not, except in respect of things done or omitted to be done in the course of the performance of his duties as such representative or member, be entitled to the immunity mentioned in sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, sub-section (2).

Section 6. List to be conclusive proof of right to Immunities

If any question arises as to whether any person is or was included or not included at any time among the persons entitled to any immunity under this Act, the official Gazette containing the list, as effective for the time being, shall be conclusive proof of the fact that the person is or was so included or not so included.