Prisoner transfer agreement signed by Taiwan, Eswatini

2019/03/05

Taiwan and the Kingdom of Eswatini concluded Feb. 27 a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement, further strengthening judicial collaboration between the allies, according to the Ministry of Justice.
 
 Under the pact, convicted offenders can be repatriated to serve out their sentences. Enforcement of the remaining prison time will be overseen by their home country, with relevant authorities informing counterparts on the other side when an inmate has completed their term or received conditional release.
 
 The Agreement on the Transfer of Convicted Offenders was signed in Taipei City by MOJ Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang and Eswatini Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Thulisile Dladla.
 
 According to Tsai, such accords help advance human rights and reduce recidivism by allowing prisoners to undergo rehabilitation in a familiar social and cultural environment. This pact is a milestone in joint efforts to deepen mutually beneficial judicial cooperation between the countries, he said, adding that it also provides a model for expanding such collaboration with other diplomatic allies.
 
 The transfer agreement is Taiwan’s first with an African nation. The country inked similar deals with Germany and the U.K. in 2013 and 2016, respectively, with seven German prisoners and one U.K. offender since returned home to complete their sentences, the MOJ said.
 
 Taiwan has enjoyed robust ties with Eswatini since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1968 after the southern African nation gained independence from the U.K. The allies have signed bilateral agreements in a range of areas spanning economics and trade, immigration affairs and police cooperation.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)