Indonesia Encourages Extradition Treaty between ASEAN Countries

VIVA – Indonesia hosted and chaired the 4th ASLOM Working Group Meeting on the ASEAN Extradition Treaty (the 4th ASLOM WG on AET) on March, 13-15. This meeting discussed the ASEAN extradition treaty – strengthening law enforcement cooperation of ASEAN member states in combating crime, especially transnational crime.

Director General of General Legal Administration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Cahyo R. Muzhar expects ASEAN to go one step further in supporting efforts to have a binding extradition treaty for all member countries.

"It is hoped that ASEAN will take a step forward in supporting regional efforts to have an extradition treaty that binds all ASEAN member countries," Muzhar said in a written statement received by Indonesia on Friday.

He explained that this is in line with the commitment made by the leaders of ASEAN member countries in the "ASEAN Concord Declaration" in Bali in 1976.

With the extradition treaty, ASEAN has shown a strong commitment to cooperate with the international community in tackling and eradicating transnational crimes, Muzhar added.

He emphasized that eradicating such transnational crimes is also important in supporting the realization of a safe, stable, and prosperous ASEAN region. "Eradicating transnational crimes is very important in supporting the realization of a safe, stable, and prosperous ASEAN region," he remarked.

Next, he said that on the occasion of hosting and chairing the 4th ASLOM Working Group (WG) Meeting on The ASEAN Extradition Treaty (AET), Indonesia also took steps to encourage the presence of an ASEAN extradition treaty.

The agreement on AET is expected to strengthen law enforcement cooperation among ASEAN member states in eradicating crimes, especially transnational crimes.

"The Ministry of Law and Human Rights is the focal point in ASLOM," he explained.

He informed that the establishment of the ASLOM Working Group on the ASEAN Extradition Treaty was a mandate of the ASEAN legal ministers' meeting with ASLOM.

Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to all parties that supported the meeting, including delegations of ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat.