Australia–Indonesia prisoner exchange agreement negotiations
Although there is an extradition agreement and a 'Treaty of Mutual Assistance on Criminal Matters' between Australia and Indonesia, there is currently no formal agreement for prisoner transfer between the two countries. An Australian prisoner under sentence in Indonesia must serve their entire sentence there, and vice versa.
Course of negotiations
Justice authorities of both countries have been in negotiations since April 2005[1] to forge a mutually acceptable Agreement.
In June 2006, Indonesia's Minister of Law and Human Rights Hamid Awaluddin stated that he and Phillip Ruddock, Australia's attorney general were 'in full agreement' about the content of a proposed agreement.[2]
Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison had sought agreement by September 2006 and has speculated upon a completion date of early 2007 with the first prisoner transfers to occur soon after.[3] However, a draft provided by him to the Indonesian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights was deemed unacceptable in late December 2006.[4]
The majority of Indonesian nationals in Australian prisons are in custody for illegal immigration or illegal fishing[citation needed], while there are eleven[5] Australians in Indonesian prisons on drug offences. There are between 40 and 50 Indonesians in Australian prisons.[6]
Australian Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, revealed on 6 March 2007 that discussions over the minimum time prisoners must serve in the country where they were sentenced had been largely resolved.[7] Prisoners would have to serve at least half of their sentence in the jurisdiction in which they were committed.
In reference to Schapelle Corby being treated for depression in May 2009, foreign minister Stephen Smith said that the end to negotiations between Australia and Indonesia was not yet in sight.[8]
See also
- Australia-Indonesia relations
- Foreign relations of Australia
- Foreign relations of Indonesia
- List of Australians in international prisons
- Bali Nine
- Schapelle Corby
Notes
- ↑ Australia and Indonesia agree to seek prisoner transfer agreement
- ↑ Govt close to finalising prisoner exchange treaty with Indonesia. 29 June 2006. ABC News Online
- ↑ Australia, Indonesia could finalize prisoner exchange agreement soon: minister
- ↑ Australia plans prisoner exchange deal
- ↑ Transcript of interview with Attorney-General Ruddock by Ray Hadley. See 3rd paragraph of response by Attorney-General
- ↑ Transcript of interview with Minister Downer by Tony Jones. See 5th Paragraph of response by Mr Downer
- ↑ No transfer allowed for 'at least six years' | NEWS.com.au
- ↑ Sydney Morning Herald
External links
- Australian Minister for Justice and Customs announces intention to seek Agreement, 7 April 2005
- Australia, Indonesia 'to swap prisoners', 12 October 2006
- Agreement expected early 2007
- Preparations for Aus-Indo prisoner exchange agreement
- Indonesia rejects prisoner exchange draft, 29 December 2006
- Australia-Indonesia Extradition Teaty, in force from 21 January 1995
- Treaty between Australia and the Republic of Indonesia on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, in force from 17 July 1999
- Australia's INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER OF PRISONERS ACT 1997
