Skip to main content

Harry Dunn's family call on UN to review ‘outdated’ diplomatic immunity conventions

Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity after Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike collided with a car outside RAF Croughton

THE family of Harry Dunn has written to the UN secretary-general in a plea to review the “outdated” diplomatic immunity conventions.

Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity after Mr Dunn was killed when his motorbike collided with a car outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire on August 27.

The 19-year-old’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, have always disputed the immunity granted to their son’s alleged killer.

In a letter to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, the family urged him to review the “confusing” diplomatic immunity regulations, which it claimed are “abused frequently.”

Ms Sacoolas was granted immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which was established in 1961.

But lawyers acting on behalf of Mr Dunn’s family have argued that she was not a diplomat and therefore not entitled to immunity.

In the letter to Mr Guterres, the lawyers said: “Diplomatic immunity is of course not a get out of jail free card” and called on the UN leader to hear concerns of citizens around the world who suffer “similar abuse.”

Mr Dunn’s parents have also urged authorities to investigate a separate incident where another driver was involved in a near-miss close to the military base.

Video footage showing a blue BMW, registered to the US government, driving on the wrong side of the road was reported to Northamptonshire Police on Saturday.

Northamptonshire chief constable Nick Adderley said: “I do not underestimate how much of a concerning incident this was and how much worse it could have been, especially considering the circumstances in which [Mr Dunn] tragically died.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said on Sunday, while he was at a world leaders’ summit in Berlin, that he would raise concerns over the driving of US diplomatic staff.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today