Page 48 - DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN FINLAND

2 IMMUNITY AND INVIOLABILITY
2.1 General
Diplomatic immunity and inviolability limit the exercise of powers by the Finnish authorities as regards the missions and their staff members but they do not restrict the validity of rights and obligations that arise from Finnish legislation. Inviolability implies to the status accorded to persons, premises and other property. Immunity from jurisdiction means that privileged persons enjoy immunity from the administrative, civil and criminal jurisdiction of Finland subject to the provisions in the Vienna Conventions.
The underlying principle behind these privileges is to ensure that foreign representatives can carry out their duties effectively in Finland. It is the duty of the privileged persons to respect the local laws as is provided in the Vienna Conventions and to present their identity card to the Finnish authorities when requested. All missions and their members are urged to cooperate with the local police and other Finnish authorities in matters related to their privileged status.
2.2 Diplomatic Immunity
The categories of privileged persons enjoying immunity are defined on the basis of their functions performed in Finland. Foreign family members of a staff member enjoy, as a rule, the same privileges and immunities as the staff member.
1) Diplomats enjoy the highest degree of immunity. Subject to the provisions of the Vienna Convention they enjoy, as a rule, a comprehensive immunity from the jurisdiction of the Finnish authorities. This applies also to heads of consulates and other consular officers on the basis of reciprocal treatment.
2) Members of the administrative and technical staff enjoy in some degree a more limited immunity than diplomats. Their immunity from the civil and administrative jurisdiction of the Finnish authorities shall not extend to acts performed outside the course of their duties. This applies also to consular employees on the basis of reciprocity.
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