
Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000 (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Belgium)
International Court of Justice
2002 I.C.J. 3
Relevant factsFree
Belgium (defendant) issued and internationally circulated an arrest warrant against the DRC's (plaintiff) acting foreign minister for alleged grave violations of international humanitarian law; the DRC argued this violated the minister's official immunity and impeded his ability to perform his duties requiring international travel.
IssueFree
Whether, under international law, a State's minister of foreign affairs enjoys immunity from criminal prosecution and inviolability when abroad for the duration of his or her office.
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