The charges Diallo initially brought against Strauss-Kahn included brutally forcing her to perform oral sex in a luxurious hotel suite. However, the criminal case failed due to the prosecutor’s concerns over Diallo’s credibility. However, Diallo filed a civil lawsuit.
Wednesday’s hearing before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Douglas McKeon will first decide whether Strauss-Kahn’s claim of diplomatic immunity stands the test or not. Strauss-Kahn’s lawyers maintain that he enjoyed legal protection from both civil and criminal cases due to his position as IMF’s top executive. However, others argue that if, in fact, there had been a shield of diplomatic immunity, that was gone with Strauss-Kahn resigning from his post in May 18, while the civil suit was brought in August, and would not be covered.
However, based on a 1947 U.N. Convention discovered b y the lawyers of Strauss-Kahn, it appears that heads of certain specialized agencies enjoyed diplomatic immunity, regardless of the alleged acts being done in official capacity or not. However, the U.S. never signed that convention.
According to the lawyers of Strauss-Kahn, regardless of U.S. not signing the referred convention, the convention has become customary international law and carries weight sufficient to non-ratifying nations to honor the convention.
Diallo’s lawyers have stated in court papers that the legal team of Strauss-Kahn has failed to “establish that there is any acknowledgement amongst civilized nations that absolute immunity should be afforded to the heads of specialized agencies.” They have also pointed out that this sanctified weight of a non-ratified treaty was not claimed or pled by Strauss-Kahn during his judicial custody pending criminal charges.
The case is Diallo v. Strauss-Kahn, Bronx County Supreme Court, No. 307065/2011.
It would be interesting to see what the court holds on the application of diplomatic immunity and its extension in this case.
His lawyer stated he was innocent “because he thought the women at the sex parties were just out for a good time.” Of course he would think that. A wealthy, powerful man like himself, used to getting what he wants in his work, in the public, in the bedroom. He probably arrogantly thought, “what kind of woman wouldn’t giggle at the sheer thought of being with me? How lucky is this woman that she’ll get to have a ‘good time’ with a man of MY caliber.” Because lets face it, whether you were a “lowly maid” or just his secretary, you were still working for him, and should be honored by the “good time” he chose to bestow on you.