Zagadnienie azylu dyplomatycznego. Zagrożenie czy szansa? .......... 229

DIPLOMATIC ASYLUM: THREAT OR CHANCE?

Diplomatic asylum is a controversial institution that is not universally recognized in international law, yet it has a rich practice of application. The aim of the article is to discuss this institution along with its legal foundations, analyze examples of its use, and ultimately assess whether its widespread application poses a threat or an opportunity. Currently, diplomatic asylum is predominantly utilized by Latin American countries and pertains to the specific right of a state to grant shelter on its territory or within its diplomatic representations to individuals persecuted for political, racial, or religious reasons. It is granted in extraordinary situations where the asylum seeker faces immediate danger, such as the threat of losing their life. The article will examine cases such as Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, who sought refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, and Cardinal József Mindszenty, who hid in a U.S. diplomatic mission in Budapest for approximately 15 years. The analysis will also address the current international situation and the consequences of the increased application of diplomatic asylum.