US demands 'immediate release' of Davis under Vienna Convention

The United States on Thursday refreshed its demand for immediate release of Raymond Davis, charged with killing of two in Lahore, saying his detention was illegal and in violation of international law.
A statement issued by the US embassy reads, "The United States Government once again calls upon the Government of Pakistan to abide by its obligations under international and Pakistani law and immediately release the American diplomat illegally detained in Lahore. The US Embassy reiterated the Government of Pakistan today that his continued detention is a gross violation of international law."
"We look forward to working with the Government of Pakistan toward the expeditious resolution of this incident. Responsibility for the safety and well-being of the illegally detained diplomat rests with the Government of Pakistan and Punjab provincial authorities," it said.
Ramyond Davis was arrested on January 27 after he shot and killed two motorcyclists in Lahore and has been placed on Exit Control List (ECL) by the Lahore High Court. The US had demanded 'immediate release' of Davis under Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.
Earlier on February 2, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while addressing the National Assembly had said that the government will follow the decision of the court, whatever it would be, in dealing the matter of Davis. The statement said that, 'the US Government has repeatedly communicated to the Government of Pakistan that the illegally detained diplomat enjoys diplomatic immunities under the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (1961)."
The US Government notified the Government of Pakistan on January 20, 2010 that the American diplomat was assigned to the US Embassy in Islamabad as a member of the administrative and technical staff. Under the Vienna Convention and Pakistani domestic law, he is entitled to full criminal immunity and cannot be lawfully arrested or detained, it added. This morning, the American diplomat was remanded in court without notice to the US government, without his lawyer and without translation assistance. He was denied due process and a fair hearing, it said.
We deeply regret that the January 27 events in Lahore that resulted in the loss of life following an attack on the diplomat by armed assailants. However, the Government of Pakistan must comply with its obligations under international and Pakistani law and ensure that he has immunity from criminal jurisdiction said the US Embassy.