8.1 Background and introduction South Africa is a state party to the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations 1963, and it is also a party to the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities 1946. In a nutshell, these instruments set international standards or guidelines within which diplomatic immunities and privileges can be afforded other countries during normal diplomatic interaction. This extends to courtesies that are offered a category of individuals befitting to receive such, and the practice differ from country to country depending on its customs.