Latest news with #AnneSacoolas
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Harry Dunn mother speaks of ‘undeserved' MBE for being ‘mum who was just broken'
The mother of a teenage motorcyclist, killed by a US citizen who was able to leave the UK under diplomatic immunity laws, has said she feels 'undeserving' of her MBE because she was 'a mum who was just totally broken'. Charlotte Charles, the mother of 19-year-old Harry Dunn, said her work on road safety following the crash that resulted in her son's death in 2019 was an 'avenue to direct my grief down'. Harry was killed when a Volvo driven by then-US state department employee Anne Sacoolas hit him while on the wrong side of the road outside RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire. Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf following the crash and she was able to leave the country 19 days later. Mrs Charles, alongside Harry's father Tim Dunn, campaigned for justice for three years – which included a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Speaking about her reaction to when she received the letter telling her she had been made an MBE, Mrs Charles, 50, told the PA news agency: 'One of a bit of bewilderment, I guess. 'I couldn't be happier on behalf of Harry, if I'm honest. 'I just always wanted to make sure his death led to change, and if it means that a few more lives are saved, and victims of a serious crime are treated a little bit better, and that the roads in and around our bases in the UK are safer, then I'm thrilled to accept the award on behalf of him. 'But I don't think it's sunk in yet.' She continued: 'I think when I received the letter I just felt almost a little bit undeserving – because you don't forget all of the achievements that you've worked so, so very hard to secure. But at the end of the day I just view myself as a mum who was just totally broken. 'I didn't know any other way of coping apart from focusing on as many positive things as I possibly could. 'It was an avenue to direct my grief down – so for me, the last five-and-a-half years… campaigning for one more string to the bow of Harry's legacy was a real focus. 'So for it to be honoured and recognised feels a little bit surreal because I was just doing what I desperately needed to do at the time – which was to try and secure safety and a better understanding of everything that we had been going through. 'So it just feels quite surreal.' Questioned on whether she felt her work on road safety and changing the laws regarding diplomatic immunity would be recognised in such a way, she said: 'No, not at all – it's the furthest thing from your mind. 'All you're thinking about at the time is to just try to make sure that what happened to us just never happened to anybody else. 'When Anne Sacoolas left the country and jumped through what we discovered was a loophole – that was one of the main things on my radar, to get that loophole closed. 'Then you start looking more widely.' She added: 'You work on these things and you do your absolute best at the time for what you have in your head and what changes you want to make for the sake of healing your heart a little bit more. 'But you never ever think that a recognition like this is going to come along – it's just not in your realms of thinking at all.' Mrs Charles, and the rest of the Dunn family, are expecting a parliamentary inquiry to be announced soon before the sixth anniversary of Harry's death in August. She told PA: 'I would say that we have been more at peace since justice was done. 'In our eyes, we did achieve what we set out to achieve. 'We were able to show that those who think they are above the law aren't – certainly not in our country. 'We can't control other countries' laws and regulations but we had a lot of faith and hope in our justice system. 'So to be able to achieve that was incredible, and I think the overall feeling is one of peace. 'I carried out that promise to Harry – and the public and the media, and eventually our own Government, helped us to achieve that. 'Life is still really hard – if I'm honest we're still trying to work out what our life is without Harry. 'You constantly live with that pain and that sense of sheer loss – but certainly I can say on behalf of myself and the family that we do have a better sense of peace in our broken hearts now.' Asked if her MBE was on behalf of her son, she said: 'Absolutely it's on behalf of Harry. 'My love for him has got me through all of the fights that we've had to have to get to where I am today. 'So the award is absolutely on behalf of Harry, yes.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Harry Dunn's mum Charlotte Charles appointed MBE
The mother of motorcyclist Harry Dunn, whose death led to a Transatlantic diplomatic row, has been appointed MBE in the King's Birthday Dunn, 19, was killed in August 2019 after US State Department employee Anne Sacoolas hit him with her car while driving on the wrong side of the road near RAF Croughton, who had diplomatic immunity asserted on her behalf, left the country, but was later given a suspended jail Charles, who is honoured for her outstanding services to road safety, said: "This is an honour I never imagined receiving, and one I wish had never had cause to receive." Mr Dunn's death led the family, including Harry's father Tim Dunn, on a three-year campaign for justice, which included a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House during his first left the country 19 days after the crash and appeared by video link at the Old Bailey to plead guilty to causing death by careless was sentenced in December 2022 to eight months in prison, suspended for a case, and campaigning from the family, prompted road safety improvements around US Air Force also led the UK and the US to amend an "anomaly" that allowed Sacoolas to leave the country. Ms Charles said: "From the moment I lost Harry, I knew I had to keep the promise I made to him - to fight for justice, and to make sure his death would lead to change."I've never viewed myself as a campaigner. I'm simply a mum trying to do right by her son."If Harry's death has meant others now live safer lives, if victims are treated with more compassion, if a few more lives are saved, then I accept this honour for him, and for every person who walked this journey with us."She said the honour was "on behalf of Harry"."My love for him has got me through all of the fights that we've had to have to get to where I am today," she added. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Time Business News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time Business News
The Global Abuse of Diplomatic Immunity: When Privilege Becomes a Shield for Crime
Vancouver, BC – Diplomatic immunity, a principle rooted in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), was designed to safeguard diplomats from political persecution and unjust legal interference while conducting official duties abroad. However, a growing number of high-profile cases has brought international attention to a darker side of this privilege: the systematic abuse of diplomatic immunity to evade prosecution, commit crimes, and shield individuals from accountability. Amicus International Consulting, a global leader in identity consulting and legal international mobility, is sounding the alarm on this increasingly urgent issue. Diplomatic Immunity: A Legal Privilege with Dangerous Loopholes Under the Vienna Convention grants diplomats and certain consular officials are granted immunity from local prosecution, civil lawsuits, and law enforcement actions in their host country. This immunity covers both official and private acts for senior diplomats, while lower-tier officials enjoy protections only for official duties. But in reality, this privilege is frequently misused, with some diplomats engaging in: Money laundering Human trafficking Domestic abuse Drunk driving Smuggling contraband Tax evasion Sexual assault and harassment Host countries often have little recourse, as diplomatic immunity cannot be unilaterally revoked. Only the diplomat's home country can choose to lift immunity, and in most abuse cases, they refuse to do so, effectively giving offenders a free pass. Global Case Studies of Abuse 1. Saudi Diplomat in India – Sexual Slavery Allegations (2015) An Indian maid accused a Saudi diplomat stationed in New Delhi of holding her and another woman in captivity and subjecting them to sexual assault. Despite multiple complaints and media attention, the accused was quietly recalled by Saudi Arabia, avoiding arrest or prosecution. 2. U.S. Teen Killed by Diplomat's Wife – UK, 2019 Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a U.S. diplomat, struck and killed 19-year-old Harry Dunn while driving on the wrong side of the road in the U.K. She fled the country, citing diplomatic immunity. Despite public outrage and an extradition request, the U.S. refused to return her to face charges. 3. Russian Diplomatic Abuse – Netherlands, 2013 A Russian diplomat was accused of child abuse in the Netherlands. When Dutch authorities tried to intervene, they were blocked by diplomatic protections. The incident led to a diplomatic spat between the two nations. 4. UN Diplomat Parking Scandals – New York City Over the years, diplomats in New York—particularly from countries like Egypt, Russia, and Nigeria—have accrued millions of dollars in unpaid parking tickets, shielded by immunity. In one year alone, diplomats collectively owed over $16 million. 5. Drug Smuggling and Customs Violations Several African and South American diplomatic couriers have been caught using diplomatic pouches to smuggle illegal substances and cash across borders. These pouches are not subject to search or seizure under international law. How Diplomatic Immunity Enables a Culture of Impunity In many cases, host nations are powerless, forced to rely on diplomatic channels and goodwill for any recourse. Even when crimes are violent or economically damaging, offenders are often simply repatriated and reassigned—sometimes to other diplomatic posts where abuse continues. This environment of impunity: Undermines international trust Emboldens criminal behaviour Harms victims with no path to justice Erodes the moral credibility of diplomatic institutions Allows rogue states to exploit legal loopholes The lack of transparency and enforcement mechanisms makes it nearly impossible for international victims to pursue justice. Due to geopolitical considerations, host governments are often pressured into silence. Calls for Reform: What the International Community Is Saying Reform efforts have been debated in the United Nations and European Parliament. Proposed changes include: Restricting immunity to official acts only , even for ambassadors , even for ambassadors Mandatory waivers in cases involving violent crimes Transparency lists of diplomats under investigation Bilateral treaties allowing host-country jurisdiction under extreme circumstances allowing host-country jurisdiction under extreme circumstances An independent oversight body to review and investigate abuses Yet, these proposals often stall due to pushback from powerful states that benefit from the current system. Amicus International's Position on Diplomatic Ethics Amicus International Consulting does not facilitate, endorse, or support the misuse of diplomatic credentials. While Amicus assists in acquiring diplomatic counsel passports for qualified individuals, it conducts thorough due diligence, including background checks, legal clearance, and host country notification. According to an internal compliance officer at Amicus (not named per company policy), 'Diplomatic protections are an essential tool in peacebuilding, negotiation, and humanitarian diplomacy. But they must never be used to harm others or evade the rule of law. Our standards are strict, and we reject any client who seeks immunity to escape justice.' Diplomatic Immunity vs. Diplomatic Accountability Amicus advocates for a balanced approach—preserving protections for those truly at risk of political persecution, while ensuring abusers are not allowed to weaponize international law for personal gain. There is a growing consensus that absolute immunity leads to absolute corruption. The need for reform is not merely ethical but legal, geopolitical, and moral. Moving Toward Responsible Global Citizenship To curb abuses, Amicus supports: Legal mechanisms for limited waivers of immunity International registries of past diplomatic abuses Mandatory ethics training for all passport holders The host country's input in the accreditation of diplomats Automatic immunity revocation upon evidence of abuse or crime Diplomacy must be grounded in justice, not privilege. Final Thoughts The world needs diplomacy more than ever. But diplomatic immunity must never be a get-out-of-jail-free card for those who would harm, abuse, or exploit others. As countries weigh reforms to this sacred protection, the international community must confront its uncomfortable reality: without accountability, immunity becomes impunity. 📞 Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@ Website: Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Twitter/X 🔗 Facebook 🔗 Instagram TIME BUSINESS NEWS
