What is persona non grata?

WHAT DOES 'PERSONA NON GRATA' MEAN?

The term "persona non grata," frequently heard in international relations, means that a person, particularly a diplomat, has been declared an unwelcome person by the country they are in. This Latin-origin term is translated into our language as "istenmeyen adam" (unwanted person) and is generally used within the framework of diplomatic protocols.

WHAT DOES PERSONA NON GRATA SIGNIFY?

In international law, persona non grata means that a state has declared a person in its country unwelcome and has made a decision to expel them.

Under Article 9 of the 1961 Vienna Convention and Article 21, which entered into force in 1963, a state has the authority to "notify the sending state that the head of the mission or any member of the diplomatic mission staff is persona non grata at any time and without having to explain the reason for the decision."

Following this decision, the person declared persona non grata is recalled by their country, and their duties at the mission are terminated. If this person's duties are not terminated, the host country either refuses to recognize them or expels them directly.

Israel declares Guterres persona non grata

Israel has declared United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "persona non grata." This decision was taken following Guterres' statements condemning civilian casualties in Gaza. While Israel found Guterres' statements biased, this step is considered a reaction criticizing Guterres' stance on the Palestine-Israel conflict. This situation has caused relations between the United Nations and Israel to become even more strained.

HOW DOES THE 'PERSONA NON GRATA' PROCESS WORK?

The persona non grata process consists of a series of steps that a person encounters on the relevant platform or organization due to their unwelcome behavior. The process begins with a complaint. Authorities evaluate the complaint and, if necessary, contact the parties to investigate the situation. Subsequently, sanctions such as warnings or bans are applied in accordance with the decision taken. The person concerned may appeal the decision, and the appeal process is conducted according to the organization's rules. This process aims to proceed in a fair and transparent manner.

Who has Turkey declared persona non grata in the past?

In the last 50 years, Turkey has officially declared three diplomats "persona non grata." These were Libyan Ambassador Abdulmalik (1986), Syrian Embassy Counselor Baladi (1986), and Iranian Ambassador Mottaki (1989), who would later become foreign minister.

Even if not officially declared "persona non grata," Turkey has preferred to follow this diplomatic path with the countries concerned during crises experienced with Switzerland and the Netherlands in recent years.

In 1993, a diplomatic crisis erupted between Turkey and Switzerland after Ambassador to Bern Kaya Toperi fired his weapon alongside security police during an attack by PKK protesters on the embassy.

Following the events in which a protester was killed, Switzerland wanted to interrogate Ambassador Toperi despite his immunity. After the ensuing crisis, Turkey demanded a similar application for the Swiss ambassador in Ankara as a retaliatory measure, leading to a long period of tension in diplomatic relations between the two countries, with both ambassadors being withdrawn.