Limiting Diplomatic Immunity: Lessons Learned from the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations

Abstract

On April 17, 1984, demonstrators gathered outside the Libyan People's Bureau in London to protest the practices of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi's regime. [FN1] Officials of the British government had been forewarned that if the demonstration was allowed to take place, Libya “‘would not be responsible for its consequences.”’ [FN2] Suddenly, during the demonstration, machine gunfire erupted. [FN3] Shots were fired from inside the Libyan embassy toward the crowd. [FN4] Constable Yvonne Fletcher was killed, and eleven others injured. [FN5] This tragedy led to the severing of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Libya. [FN6] No one was ever prosecuted. [FN7]