Cap 190 - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ORDINANCE 1
Chapter: 190 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND
DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ORDINANCE
Gazette Number Version Date
Long title 81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
To make provision as to privileges, immunities and facilities to be accorded in respect of certain international
organizations and in respect of persons connected with such organizations and other persons; to apply to Hong
Kong the international custom for the time being recognized by the People's Republic of China relating to
immunities and privileges as to the person, property or servants of sovereigns, diplomatic agents or the
representatives of sovereign powers; and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.
(Replaced 64 of 1977 s. 2. Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
[29 October 1948]
(Originally 56 of 1948 (Cap 190 1950))
Section: 1 Short title 30/06/1997
This Ordinance may be cited as the International Organizations and Diplomatic Privileges Ordinance.
(Amended 64 of 1977 s. 3)
Section: 2 Privileges, immunities and capacities of certain
international organizations and their staffs
L.N. 362 of 1997;
81 of 1999
01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
(1) The Chief Executive may, by notification in the Gazette, declare that this section shall apply to any
organization specified in the notification of which the Government or Governments of one or more sovereign powers
are members and of which the Government of Hong Kong or of the People's Republic of China is a member or an
associate member, and may in like manner- (Amended 64 of 1977 s. 4; 81 of 1999 s. 3)
(a) provide that any organization to which this section applies (hereinafter referred to as the organization)
shall, to such extent as may be specified in the notification, have the immunities and privileges set out
in Part I of the First Schedule, and shall also have the legal capacities of a body corporate;
(b) confer upon-
(i) any persons who are representatives (whether of governments or not) on any organ of the
organization or are members of any committee of the organization or of an organ thereof;
(ii) such number of officers of the organization as may be specified in the notification, being holders
of such high offices in the organization as may be so specified; and
(iii) such persons employed on missions on behalf of the organization as may be so specified,
to such extent as may be specified in the notification, the immunities and privileges set out in Part II of
the First Schedule;
(c) confer upon such other classes of officers and servants of the organization as may be specified in the
notification, to such extent as may be so specified, the immunities and privileges set out in Part III of
the First Schedule,
and Part IV of the First Schedule shall have effect for the purpose of extending to the staffs of such representatives and
members as are mentioned in paragraph (b)(i) and to the families of officers of the organization any immunities and
privileges conferred on the representatives, members or officers under that paragraph, except in so far as the operation
of Part IV is excluded by the notification conferring the immunities and privileges:
Provided that the notification shall be so framed as to secure that there are not conferred on any person any
immunities or privileges greater in extent than those which, at the time of publication of the notification, are required
to be conferred on that person in order to give effect to any international agreement in that behalf. (Replaced 3 of
Cap 190 - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ORDINANCE 2
1951 s. 2. Amended 18 of 1970 s. 3)
(2) Where any question arises whether or not any person is entitled to any privilege or immunity conferred on
any person by a notification under subsection (1), a certificate issued by the Chief Secretary for Administration stating
any fact relating to the question shall be conclusive evidence of the fact. (Replaced 56 of 1967 s. 2. Amended L.N.
362 of 1997)
Section: 3 Diplomatic immunities of representatives attending
international conferences
81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
(1) Where a conference is held in Hong Kong and is attended by the representatives of the Central People's
Government and the government or governments of one or more foreign sovereign powers, and it appears to the Chief
Executive that doubts may arise as to the extent to which the representatives of such foreign powers and members of
their official staffs are entitled to diplomatic immunities, he may-
(a) compile a list of the persons aforesaid who are entitled to such immunities, and cause that list to be
published in the Gazette; and
(b) whenever it appears to the Chief Executive that any person ceases or begins to be entitled to such
immunities, amend the list and cause a notification of amendment or, if he thinks fit, an amended list,
to be published as aforesaid,
and every representative of a foreign power who is for the time being included in the list shall, for the purposes of any
enactment and rule of law or custom relating to the immunities of an envoy of a foreign power accredited to the
Government of the People's Republic of China, and of the retinue of such an envoy, be treated as if he were such an
envoy, and such of the members of his official staff as are for the time being included in the list shall be treated for the
purpose aforesaid as if they were his retinue. (Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
(2) Every list or notification published under subsection (1) in relation to any conference shall include a
statement of the date from which the list or amendment takes or took effect; and the fact that any person is or was
included or not included at any time among the persons entitled to diplomatic immunities as representatives attending
the conference or as members of the official staff of any such representative may, if a list of those persons has been so
published, be conclusively proved by producing the Gazette containing the list or, as the case may be, the last list
taking effect before that time, together with the Gazette (if any) containing notices of the amendments taking effect
before that time, and by showing that the name of that person is or was at that time included or not included in the said
list.
Section: 4 Immunities and privileges of judges of and suitors to, the
International Court of Justice
81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
(1) The Chief Executive may, by notification in the Gazette, confer on judges and registrars of the International
Court, and on suitors to that Court, and their agents, counsel and advocates, such immunities, privileges and facilities
as may be required to give effect to any resolution of, or convention approved by, the General Assembly of the United
Nations. (Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
(2) In this section, the expression "the International Court" (國際法院) means the International Court of
Justice set up under the Charter of the United Nations.
(Replaced 3 of 1951 s. 3)
Section: 5 Reciprocal treatment 81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
Nothing in the foregoing provisions shall be construed as precluding the Chief Executive from declining to
Cap 190 - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ORDINANCE 3
accord immunities or privileges to, or from withdrawing immunities or privileges from, nationals or representatives of
any power on the ground that that power is failing to accord corresponding immunities or privileges to Chinese
nationals or representatives.
(Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
Section: 6 Certain international customs relating to immunities and
privileges to have effect in Hong Kong
81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any Ordinance, the international custom relating to
the immunities and privileges as to person, property or servants of sovereigns, diplomatic agents, or the
representatives of foreign powers for the time being recognized by the People's Republic of China shall, in so far as
the same is applicable mutatis mutandis, have effect in Hong Kong.
(Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
Section: 7 (Repealed 81 of 1999 s. 3) 81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
Schedule: 1 81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
[section 2]
PART I
IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE ORGANIZATION
1. Immunity from suit and legal process.
2. The like inviolability of official archives and premises occupied as offices as is accorded in the People's
Republic of China in respect of the official archives and premises of an envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited
to the Government of the People's Republic of China.
3. The like exemption or relief from taxes and rates, other than taxes on the importation of goods, as is accorded in
the People's Republic of China to a foreign sovereign power.
4. Exemption from taxes on the importation of goods directly imported by the organization for its official use in
Hong Kong or for exportation, or on the importation of any publications of the organization directly imported by it,
such exemption to be subject to compliance with such conditions as the Commissioner of Customs and Excise may
prescribe for the protection of the revenue. (Amended 40 of 1985 s. 10)
5. Exemption from prohibitions and restrictions on importation or exportation in the case of goods directly
imported or exported by the organization for its official use and in the case of any publications of the organization
directly imported or exported by it.
6. The right to avail itself, for telegraphic communications sent by it and containing only matter intended for
publication by the press or for broadcasting (including communications addressed to or dispatched from places outside
Hong Kong) of any reduced rates applicable for the corresponding service in the case of press telegrams.
(Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
Cap 190 - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES ORDINANCE 4
PART II
IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF REPRESENTATIVES, MEMBERS
OF COMMITTEES, HIGH OFFICERS AND
PERSONS ON MISSIONS
(Replaced 3 of 1951 s. 4)
1. The like immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded in the People's Republic of China to an envoy of a
foreign sovereign power accredited to the Government of the People's Republic of China. (Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
2. The like inviolability of residence as is accorded to such an envoy.
3. The like exemption or relief from taxes as is accorded to such an envoy.
PART III
IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF OTHER OFFICERS AND SERVANTS
1. Immunity from suit and legal process in respect of things done or omitted to be done in the course of the
performance of official duties.
2. Exemption from income tax in respect of emoluments received as an officer or servant of the organization.
PART IV
IMMUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES OF OFFICIAL STAFFS AND OF HIGH
OFFICERS' FAMILIES
(Replaced 3 of 1951 s. 4)
1. Where any person is entitled to any such immunities and privileges as are mentioned in Part II as a
representative on any organ of the organization or a member of any committee of the organization or of an organ
thereof, his official staff accompanying him as such a representative or member shall also be entitled to those
immunities and privileges to the same extent as the retinue of an envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to the
Government of the People's Republic of China is entitled in the People's Republic of China to the immunities and
privileges accorded to the envoy. (Amended 3 of 1951 s. 4)
2. Where any person is entitled to any such immunities and privileges as are mentioned in Part II as an officer of
the organization, that person's wife or husband and children under the age of twenty-one shall also be entitled to those
immunities and privileges to the same extent as the wife or husband and children of an envoy of a foreign sovereign
power accredited to the Government of the People's Republic of China are entitled in the People's Republic of China
to the immunities and privileges accorded to the envoy.
(Amended 81 of 1999 s. 3)
Schedule: 2 (Repealed 81 of 1999 s. 3) 81 of 1999 01/07/1997
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 81 of 1999 s. 3
