What is 'diplomatic immunity'?

Diplomatic immunity refers to a principle of international law that provides certain protections to diplomats, allowing them to perform their duties with independence and security. The correct answer highlights that diplomats are exempt from legal processes in the host country, which means they cannot be sued or prosecuted under local laws for actions taken in the course of their official duties. This immunity aims to ensure that diplomats can effectively carry out their roles while fostering international relations.

This legal protection is anchored in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which strives to promote diplomatic relations and cooperation among nations. While diplomats are still expected to respect local laws and customs, the essential understanding is that they are granted immunity from legal actions that could impede their function as representatives of their home countries.

The other choices do not accurately encapsulate the essence of diplomatic immunity; for example, suggesting that diplomats can commit crimes without consequence misinterprets the nature of immunity, as it does not provide a blanket license to engage in illegal activity without accountability. Thus, option C correctly identifies the core of what diplomatic immunity entails.