Department of International Relations and Cooperation
of the Republic of Maropeng
of the Republic of Maropeng
Letter of Invitation
18 May 2011
To The leaders and foreign ministers (or analogues thereof) of the world.
From The Presidency of the Republic of Maropeng
RE The opening of embassies in Tshwane
In my many dealings with the international community, it has come to my attention that the opening of proper, formalized diplomatic relations — including the exchange of embassies — is of utmost importance in ensuring an international diplomatic regime based on trust and mutual respect between nations. One in which nations work together to achieve common aims, rather than one full of strife and discord. For this reason I am writing today to you, on behalf of the government of the Republic of Maropeng, in order to encourage you — the leaders and foreign ministers (or equivalents thereof) of the world — to open formal diplomatic relations and to engage in embassy exchanges with Maropeng. I trust that you will all initiate the appropriate actions and I look forward to working further with you.
Yours Faithfully,
The Rt Hon. Ebrahim Desai,
President of the Republic of Maropeng
The Internal Diplomatic Protocol Act, 2009 (Act 14 of 2009)
Attached by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
PREAMBLE
RECOGNIZING the importance of strong diplomatic relations with other nations;
UNDERSTANDING that diplomatic relations are strengthened by the exchange of embassies between nations.
CONCERNED that without regulation, the diplomatic relations of the Republic might suffer;
AFFIRMING international standards of diplomatic protocol;
AIMING to ensure that such international standards are maintained within the Republic's borders,
BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Parliament of the Republic of Maropeng, as follows:—
CHAPTER 1
DEFINITIONS, OBJECTS AND APPLICATION OF ACT
DEFINITIONS, OBJECTS AND APPLICATION OF ACT
Definitions and interpretation
1. (1) In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise—
"Minister" refers to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation;
"Department" refers to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation;
"Republic" refers to the Republic of Maropeng;
"embassy" or "embassies" refers to the embassies of states other than the Republic of Maropeng within the Republic of Maropeng;
"service staff" refers to maintainance, culinary, janitorial and other staff tasked with providing services;
"nation" refers to states other than the Republic of Maropeng; and
"Gazette" refers to the Government Gazette of the Republic of Maropeng.
(2) when considering an apparent conflict between this legislation and other diplomacy-related legislation, every court must prefer any reasonable interpretation of the legislation that avoids a conflict over any alternative interpretation that results in a conflict.
Objects of Act
2. The objects of this Act are to—
(a) regulate the manner in which nations conduct diplomacy within the borders of the Republic;
(b) ensure that international standards of diplomatic protocol are maintained by the government of the Republic; and
(c) repeal the Internal Diplomatic Protocol Act, 1984 (Act 25 of 1984).
Application of Act
3. (1) This Act applies to—
(a) all organs of state; and
(b) juristic and natural persons to the extent that the Act imposes duties and obligations on such persons.
(2) The Minister, on good cause shown and on such terms and conditions as the Minister may determine, may by notice in the Gazette exempt an organ of state or a group or class of organs of state from the duties imposed by paragraph 2 subparagraph (b).
CHAPTER 2
INTERNAL DIPLOMATIC REGULATIONS
INTERNAL DIPLOMATIC REGULATIONS
Extraterritoriality and the Rights of Diplomats
4. (1) Embassies within the Republic are exempt from local civil law and taxation, and are considered territorially to be partial enclaves of whichever nation is represented by them.
(2) Nothing in subparagraph (1) is to be construed in such a way as to exempt any embassy from local criminal law.
(3) All diplomatic officials within the Republic are granted diplomatic immunity in accordance with General Assembly Resolution #22 (The Diplomatic Protection Act); subject to clause 10 of the aforementioned resolution which prohibits nations from sending diplomats with the express intent of committing crimes of espionage, sabotage or subversion, causing harm to the civilian population, or other related crimes committed outside of a diplomat's duties.
(4) The government of the Republic shall maintain the right to, at any time and without being obliged to explain its decision, declare any diplomatic official of any nation a persona non grata. Anyone declared a persona non grata shall be expected to depart from the Republic within 24 hours.
Staff
5. (1) Embassies may have a maximum of 80 attachés, assistants, and other diplomatic staff; including the ambassador.
(2) Embassies may have a maximum of 60 security staff and armed personnel.
(3) Embassies may have a maximum of one hundred 100 service staff.
Equipment
6. (1) Road Vehicles:
(a) A maximum of 30 diplomatic automobiles are permitted per embassy.
(b) All diplomatic automobiles must be less than 10 years old.
(c) All diplomatic automobiles must be roadworthy and properly licensed under the relevant laws of the Republic.
(b) All diplomatic automobiles must be less than 10 years old.
(c) All diplomatic automobiles must be roadworthy and properly licensed under the relevant laws of the Republic.
(2) Aircraft:
(a) A maximum of ten (10) diplomatic aircraft are allowed per embassy.
(b) All diplomatic aircraft must be airworthy and properly licensed under the relevant laws of the Republic.
(c) Nations using diplomatic aircraft that are not capable of vertical takeoff and landing are expected to pay any storage and parking costs incurred at whichever airports are used. No financial aid can be expected from the Department in this regard, except in unusual circumstances.
(d) If any nation's diplomatic corps feel that their circumstances in relation to clause (c) warrant financial aid from the Department, a request must be made in writing directly to the Minister. Any such request must provide sufficient motivation as to why the circumstances in question qualify as "unusual" and shall be considered at the Minister's personal discretion.
(b) All diplomatic aircraft must be airworthy and properly licensed under the relevant laws of the Republic.
(c) Nations using diplomatic aircraft that are not capable of vertical takeoff and landing are expected to pay any storage and parking costs incurred at whichever airports are used. No financial aid can be expected from the Department in this regard, except in unusual circumstances.
(d) If any nation's diplomatic corps feel that their circumstances in relation to clause (c) warrant financial aid from the Department, a request must be made in writing directly to the Minister. Any such request must provide sufficient motivation as to why the circumstances in question qualify as "unusual" and shall be considered at the Minister's personal discretion.
(3) All diplomatic vehicles must be nonmilitary vehicles. For the purposes of this subparagraph, unarmed armoured vehicles shall be considered nonmilitary vehicles.
(4) Weaponry:
(a) Automatic assault rifles, machine guns and other heavy infantry weaponry are prohibited. Semiautomatic assault rifles, bolt actions rifles, sidearms and ceremonial weaponry are permitted but must be registered with the Department's Bureau of Security.
(b) Grenades and other bombs are prohibited. However, smoke grenades, stun grenades, and teargas canisters are permitted but must be registered with the Department's Bureau of Security.
(c) Nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical weapons of mass-destruction are prohibited. Should any nation attempt to bring such weapons into the Republic, the act of doing so shall be construed as a declaration of war.
(d) Permitted weaponry may not be used outside of the properties of the embassies in which they are kept, except in self defence. Security staff must conceal any weaponry in their possession when outside of the properties of the embassy at which they are employed.
(b) Grenades and other bombs are prohibited. However, smoke grenades, stun grenades, and teargas canisters are permitted but must be registered with the Department's Bureau of Security.
(c) Nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical weapons of mass-destruction are prohibited. Should any nation attempt to bring such weapons into the Republic, the act of doing so shall be construed as a declaration of war.
(d) Permitted weaponry may not be used outside of the properties of the embassies in which they are kept, except in self defence. Security staff must conceal any weaponry in their possession when outside of the properties of the embassy at which they are employed.