Consular Relations
International Law Before and After the Vienna Convention
A function of governments has long been to provide services to their citizens/nationals abroad. These "consular" services include certain legal services, such as notarizing documents or assisting with the estate of a citizen who dies abroad. They also include looking for missing citizens, determining whether citizens are safe, assisting in evacuating citizens from countries when their lives are endangered, and other similar "welfare and whereabouts" services. Another important consular function is the provision of assistance to citizens who are detained by a foreign government. Protecting such citizens may include attempting to ensure that they receive a fair and speedy trial…
