Joint Media Release
26 September 2002
Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and Minister for Justice
and Customs Senator Ellsion
Australia and Thailand Ratify Prisoner Exchange Treaty
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, and the Minister
for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, today announced that
Australia and Thailand have ratified a transfer of prisoners treaty.
The agreement with Thailand is Australia's first bilateral treaty
allowing for the international transfer of prisoners and signals the
start of the International Transfer of Prisoners scheme in Australia.
The treaty is a most welcome development and shows the strength of
the relationship between the two nations.
Ratification of the treaty opens the way for Australians held in
Thai prisons and Thais imprisoned in Australia to apply to return
to their home country to serve out the remainder of their prison sentence.
Australians returned under these arrangements would remain in prison
to serve out their sentences but would do so in circumstances that
would reduce the hardship caused to their families and significantly
enhance the prospects of rehabilitation.
The Commonwealth Government has also made arrangements for Australia's
International Transfer of Prisoners scheme to extend to more than
50 other countries through the Council of Europe Convention on the
Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Transfers will be possible between
Australia and the countries that are Parties to the Convention from
1 January 2003.
Transfers will be carried out on a consensual basis requiring agreement
by the authorities of the transfer country, the Commonwealth Government,
the relevant Australian State or Territory government and the prisoner.
Information materials will be disseminated to advise potentially
eligible prisoners of the start of the scheme and provide them with
information on how to apply for a transfer.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 02 6277 7500 /
Mairi Barton (Senator Ellison's office) 02 6277 7260
Local Date: Saturday, 04-Feb-2012 14:25:09 EST
