The city authorities in the East Flemish city of Ghent have announced that they are to scrap the last 3 parking spaces in the city that are reserved for diplomats. The spaces are located on the Gouvernementstraat outside the former Provincial Hall, the Coupure Links and on Ter Platen. The spaces were reserved for vehicles with special CD (Corps Diplomatique) and CC (Corps Consulaire) numberplates.
The Ghent City Alderman Joris Vandenbroucke (Voor Gent) told VRT News "The special parking spaces for diplomats are no longer of this age and that’s why we have to decide to scrap them.
They can be put to better use by local residents”.
"Something for Brussels, Brussel, Geneva or New York"
Professor Jan Wouters of Leuven University (KU Leuven) specialises in international law and institutions. Professor Wouters says that “The concept of diplomatic parking spaces exists all over the world and is particularly common where there are large international institutions in world cities. It is much less common in smaller cities.”
In Ghent, the location of the diplomatic parking space on Gouvernementstraat can be explained historically, as it was often used by (international) dignitaries or diplomats that were visiting the Provincial Hall. However, as the Provincial Hall is now at a new location this is no longer the case and the reserved parking space is no longer required.
The other two parking spaces are located near consuls' residences. “Consuls have a different status than ambassadors; they enjoy less protection anyway. It is not illogical that these spaces will be removed."
The City of Ghent is also not obliged to provide reserved parking spaces for consuls.
Diplomatic immunity still applies
In future the diplomats that used the reserved parking spaces in the past will have to park elsewhere if the space is taken.
"They will have to abide by the rules and can be issued with parking fines if they break them. However, they can claim diplomatic immunity if they are summoned to appear in court.