Immunity is a general word which can have may different
meanings depending upon the context in which it is used. For example, a person who is
unmindful of criticism of ones actions may be said to be immune to criticism. However,
the word is used most frequently to mean two things. One meaning is ability to resist
the effect of disease causing infections. A person having immunity against a particular
disease is not likely to contract that disease in spite of being infected by the
organism causing it. I do not see any justification in providing better protection only
to some executives.
The second common meaning is immunity
is protection from being charged and prosecuted under some law. Some degree of such
immunity is often granted by countries to citizens of other countries acting in some
diplomatic capacity such as in an embassy. This provision is made to ensure that in
spite of state of conflict existing between countries, some degree of communication can
be maintained between them without fear of the diplomats of one country being harassed
or punished in another host country. This immunity also gives the diplomatic staff some
additional protection for keeping secret any confidential information available to them
from their home country.
Limited legal immunity may also be
provided to some government official including elected politicians. The purpose of such
immunity is to enable the officials to perform their duties without being hampered or
harassed by legal process based on unjustified
charges.
However it must be noted that such legal immunity
to diplomats or government officials is justified in all countries and not just
developing countries. Further, nowhere the immunity is absolute. The immunity is
available to them only against some specific type of legal action. Also, there are
provision for prosecution for such persons with additional checks and precautions, so
that they cannot get away with really illegal acts.
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