Hong Kong and Mongolia sign Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons

Hong Kong (HKSAR) - The Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, and the Minister for Justice of Mongolia, Mr Dambii Dorligjav, today (February 1) represented the Governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Mongolia respectively in signing the Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP).

"The transfer of sentenced persons to their place of origin, by returning them to an environment free of language and cultural barriers and where their friends and relatives can visit regularly, is conducive to their rehabilitation. It is the HKSAR Government's policy to facilitate such transfers between the HKSAR and other places," Mr Lai said at the signing ceremony held at the Central Government Offices.

Under the Basic Law, the HKSAR Government may, with the authorisation of the Central People's Government, make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for reciprocal juridical assistance, which include, among others, the transfer of sentenced persons.

This is the 16th TSP Agreement the HKSAR has signed with other jurisdictions. The other 15 jurisdictions that already have TSP Agreements with the HKSAR are Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, India, Italy, the Republic of Korea, the Macau Special Administrative Region, the Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"The signing of the Agreement signifies another step forward in the legal co-operation between Mongolia and the HKSAR," Mr Lai said.