Does Julian Assange Illustrate a Gap in Law that should be Codified?

Abstract

This article dissects the legality and purpose of diplomatic asylum, an intrinsically controversial area of international law. It becomes evident that diplomatic asylum residing in a grey area of international law suits many states. It provides an opportunity to reject diplomatic asylum as illegal when it suits a state but grant diplomatic asylum when an opportune moment arises. I conclude that it would be appropriate to introduce a form of diplomatic asylum internationally. Diplomatic asylum appears as a legal concept which persists in providing politically persecuted individuals protection regardless of the criticism grants of diplomatic asylum receive. Therefore Julian Assange illustrates a gap in international law should be codified in a range of regional treaties allowing for cultural and political difference to be accounted for.