Consula Assistance Between Concept and Practice

Abstract

Consular assistance is a means by which a state defends its citizens. It provides aid and assistance in times of distress abroad. It is a precautionary measure to prevent a person stranded abroad from falling into a forbidden situation that could lead to undesirable consequences. However, the relationship between consular assistance and diplomatic protection raises confusion and lack of distinction, even among government officials and even among legal researchers. The consul's representation of his country is limited to specific matters entrusted to him in his country's legislation and regulations. These matters are entrusted to the economic and administrative aspects. This representation is also limited to a specific territorial scope. Consular assistance is an essential part of the tasks carried out by consular missions around the world, according to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, which aims to regulate relations between states in the consular field and defines the rights and duties of states towards their nationals traveling or residing abroad. Consular assistance is considered one of the most important aspects of this convention, as it obligates states to provide the necessary support to their citizens abroad. This convention also focuses on the mechanisms for exercising consular assistance.