The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity in the Basfar v Wong Case as Modern Slavery

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47268/balobe.v5i1.2931

Keywords:

Diplomatic Immunity, Modern Slavery, Vienna Convention 1961.

Abstract

Introduction: This research is motivated by the numerous cases of modern slavery committed by diplomatic agent against domestic workers in the residences of diplomats who abuse diplomatic immunity.

Purposes of the Research: To analyze the forms and legal consequences of the misuse of diplomatic immunity in the ruling on a case of modern slavery committed by the Saudi Arabian Diplomatic Agent (Mr. Basfar) against a Filipino migrant worker (Ms. Wong) in the United Kingdom.

Methods of the Research: This legal research employs a normative legal research method which focuses on international law instruments relating to the issues contained in this study, utilizing statute and case approaches.

Results of the Research: The findings indicate that the Saudi Arabian Diplomatic Agent has abused diplomatic immunity by violating the national laws of the United Kingdom as the receiving state, such as regulations concerning minimum wage payments and working hour requirements. The legal consequence for Ms. Wong in this ruling is the right to receive compensation from Mr. Basfar. According to the 1961 Vienna Convention, there are two legal consequences for Mr. Basfar's misuse of diplomatic immunity: the waiver of diplomatic immunity by the sending state and the declaration of a persona non grata sanction by the receiving state.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citation Metrics

Author Biographies

  • Miftah Aliya Rizqi, Faculty of Law, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang
    Faculty of Law
  • Meria Utama, Faculty of Law, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang
    Faculty of Law
  • Cynthia Azhara Putri, Faculty of Law, Universitas Sriwijaya, Palembang
    Faculty of Law

References

abcnews.go.com. “Nannies suing diplomat were ‘lured to the US, ‘endured grueling’ conditions, complaint says”, ABC News, 2017. https://abcnews.go.com/US/nannies-suing-diplomat-lured-us-endured-grueling-conditions/story?id=50987486.

Al Jazeera.com. “Four Filipinas sue diplomat employers in Switzerland for slavery”, Al Jazeera, 2023. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/5/24/four-filipinas-sue-diplomat-employers-in- switzerland-for-slavery.

Boer Mauna, Hukum Internasional: Pengertian, Peranan dan Fungsi Dalam Era Dinamika Global, Bandung: Penerbit Alumni, 2003.

Cathy Anggraini, et.al., Penyalahgunaan Hak Kekebalan Diplomatik Ditinjau Dari Konvensi Wina 1961 (Studi Kasus Penyelundupan Emas Oleh Pejabat Diplomatik Korea Utara Di Bangladesh, Diponegoro Law Journal, 5 no. 3 (2016): p. 12-14.

DW.com. “Report shows abuse of domestic workers by diplomats”, Deutsche Welle, 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/report-shows-abuse-of-domestic-workers-by-diplomats/a-66862451.

Eileen Denza, Diplomatic Law: Commentary on The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016).

Einat Albin dan Virginia Mantouvalou, The ILO Convention on Domestic Workers: From the Shadows to the Light, Industrial Law Journal, 41 no. 1 (2012).

G. M Sharon Anis, Implementasi Hukum Diplomatik Dalam Pelaksanaan Tugas dan Fungsi Duta Besar Menurut Konvensi Wina 1961, Jurnal Lex et Societatis, 5 no. 2 (2017).

ILO.org. “Who are Domestic Workers?” ILO.org, https://www.ilo.org/topics/domestic-workers/who-are-domestic-workers.

Jamal Barnes, et.al., A Vulnerability Approach to Irregular Migration and Modern Slavery in Australia, Australian Journal of Human Rights, 29 no 1 (2023).

Komang Sukaniasa, et.al., Penyalahgunaan Hak Kekebalan Diplomatik Ditinjau Dari Konvensi Wina 1961 (Studi Kasus Penganiayaan TKI Oleh Pejabat Diplomatik Arab Saudi di Jerman, e-Journal Komunitas Yustisia Universitas Pendidikan Ghanesa, 4 no. 2 (2021), p. 163.

Ms. J Wong v. Mr. Khalid Basfar, The United Kingdom Supreme Court UKSC (2022): p. 77-78.

Nina M. Bergmar, Demanding Accountability Where Accountability Is Due: A Functional Necessity Approach to Diplomatic Immunity Under the Vienna Convention, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, 47 no. 2 (2014).

Nur Solikin, Pengantar Metodologi Penelitian Hukum (Pasuruan: Penerbit Qiara Media, 2021.

OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), How to prevent human trafficking for domestic servitude in diplomatic households and protect private domestic workers (Vienna: OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, 2014): p. 46-47.

Pamela Ruus, Aspek Hukum Penyalahgunaan Hak Kekebalan dan Keistimewaan Diplomatik Menurut Konvensi Wina Tahun 1961, Lex Privatum, 5 no. 7 (2017).

Philippa Webb dan Rosana Garciandia, State Responsibility For Modern Slavery: Uncovering and Bridging The Gap, International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 68 no. 2 (2019).

Retna Seruni, Kepastian Hukum Eksekusi Putusan Pengadilan Hubungan Industrial Terhadap Perwakilan Diplomatik Di Indonesia, Dharmasisya, 1 no. 4 (2021): p. 2086-2087.

Rosana Garciandi, Domestic Servitude and Diplomatic Immunity: The Decision of the UK Supreme Court in Basfar v Wong, Industrial Law Journal, 52 no. 2 (2023).

S. M. Noor, et.al., Hukum Diplomatik dan Hubungan Internasional (Makassar: Pustaka Pena Press, 2016.

Sefriani, Peran Hukum Internasional Dalam Hubungan Internasional Kontemporer, Jakarta: Rajawali Pers, 2016.

Sumaryo Suryokusumo, Hukum Diplomatik, Teori dan Kasus, Bandung: Penerbit Alumni, 2005.

Tambajong, Pencabutan Hak Kekebalan terhadap Pejabat Diplomatik Menurut Pasal 32 Konvensi Wina 1961, Lex Administratum, Vol. 11 No. 2 (2023).

The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law, “Espionage”, https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/espionage/.

The Freedom Fund, “What is modern Slavery? Domestic Servitude”, https://www.freedomfund.org/what-is-modern-slavery/domestic-servitude/

Twentyessex.com. “A transformative Supreme Court judgement holding a diplomat accountable for modern slavery”, Twenty Essex, 2022. https://www.twentyessex.com/a-transformative-supreme-court-judgment-holding-a-diplomat-accountable-for-modern-slavery/.

Tasya Rahim, et.al., Tanggung Jawab Perwakilan Diplomatik Yang Melakukan Tindakan Penyalahgunaan Wewenang di Negara Penerima (Receiving State), Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 1 no. 12 (2022).

Windy Lasut, Penanggalan Kekebalan Diplomatik Di Negara Penerima Menurut Konvensi Wina 1961, Lex Crimen, 5 no. 4 (2016).

Downloads

Published

2025-04-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity in the Basfar v Wong Case as Modern Slavery. (2025). Balobe Law Journal, 5(1), 31-46. https://doi.org/10.47268/balobe.v5i1.2931