Hong Kong and France sign agreement on surrender of accused or convicted persons (with photos)
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"Both Hong Kong and France are committed players in the international efforts to fight crimes. We have indeed worked together hand in hand over the years to bring into force the agreement concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters in 1999, and the agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons in 2008," Mr Lai said at the signing ceremony.
"The signing of the surrender agreement today will further take forward our bilateral co-operation on criminal matters," Mr Lai added.
Under the Basic Law, the HKSAR may, with the authorisation of the Central People’s Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance.
The surrender agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of accused or convicted persons between the HKSAR and the French Republic, and contains the usual safeguards found in similar international agreements, including that the conduct must constitute an offence according to the laws of both parties, and surrender may be refused if the offence is punishable with the death penalty.
The surrender agreement with the French Republic is the 20th agreement of its kind between the HKSAR and other jurisdictions. Nineteen other jurisdictions that already have similar agreements with the HKSAR are Australia, Canada, Czech, Finland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Ends/Thursday, May 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:42
Issued at HKT 17:42
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