Eddie Fernandes <eddie.fernan...@gmail.com> wrote: Lots of comments from Indian Women’s Groups in: http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-buck-stops-here/india-uk-diplomatic-row-justice-vs-immunity/188340?cp
In the programme a possibility was raised of UK applying to extradite the husband after his return to India as he will no longer have diplomatic status there. I cannot believe it will wash. Some of the interesting developments today: UK has once again requested waiving of diplomatic immunity which the India Govt. has again refused. The claim has been made that the wife is using the incident to claim asylum in the UK. ------------ Comment: Thanks Eddie for that. As far as the alleged 'wife beater' diplomat is concerned, I cannot see how the UK Govt can unilaterally, post ipso facto and retrospectively expect India to waive diplomatic immunity. Both countries have signed the Vienna Convention on the matter and IF they are really serious, should bilaterally sign a waiver agreement wrt specifically identified serious crimes. Unless the someone in the UK Govt is really bright (or perhaps not), this 'request' is a bit of grandstanding. It might interest us to know that ALL kinds of crimes (under immunity) are committed by folks who then claim diplomatic immunity. Just look at a simple thing like Parking anywhere you wish .....so what if they get ticketed? They have diplomatic immunity. That certainly was not the rationale for the Vienna Convention wrt diplomatic immunity. The following might also be an interesting avenue to explore: He has diplomatic immunity in the UK .....not in India ...does he? But then ...Who will Bell the Cat? My question was not so much directed at Women's Groups' reaction towards the alleged "wife beater" - because all the facts of the case are not yet known. My question was related to the pompous Deputy High Commissioner, Rajesh Prasad, who is reported to have BERATED Paromita for letting the incident go beyond the family. He reportedly also told her, "We have decided you WILL GO to India on forced leave" ... and if she was stubborn then there had been incidents where a car comes and picks up families and simply puts them on a flight against their will... This behaviour is akin to that of ruthless dogs? jc