Belgium, Cambodia Sign Landmark Prisoner Transfer Deal

Belgium and Cambodia have signed a bilateral agreement allowing convicted prisoners to serve their sentences in their home countries, marking a significant step in judicial cooperation between Brussels and Phnom Penh.

The deal, confirmed by Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, was signed in Phnom Penh by Cambodia’s justice minister and the Belgian ambassador to Thailand, who also oversees Cambodian affairs. It enables Belgian nationals detained in Cambodia to request a transfer to Belgium, while Cambodian prisoners in Belgium will be able to apply for repatriation under the same conditions.

Pierre Steverlynck of the FPS Foreign Affairs explained that transfers will take place only at the request of the prisoners themselves and will be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis. The arrangement is designed to allow detainees to serve their sentences closer to family and friends, while also improving prospects for reintegration into society.

The agreement comes against the backdrop of longstanding concerns over Belgian nationals imprisoned in Cambodia. Two years ago, a Belgian man in his forties, who had already spent five years in a Cambodian jail, filed a formal complaint against the Belgian state. He remains detained and may now be eligible for transfer under the new framework. Belgian authorities have also confirmed awareness of a second national currently held in the country.

Belgium already maintains prisoner transfer agreements with around 75 countries, through bilateral deals, the EU Framework Decision, and international conventions. The Cambodia accord adds to this network, reflecting a broader push to ensure humane treatment and rehabilitation opportunities for citizens abroad.

For Cambodia, the agreement underscores its willingness to engage with European partners on judicial matters, complementing its wider diplomatic efforts. For Belgium, it offers a practical solution to a sensitive issue, balancing respect for Cambodian sovereignty with the need to safeguard its citizens’ rights.

The move is expected to provide relief to families of detainees and could serve as a model for future cooperation between European states and Southeast Asian nations on prisoner transfers.

-2025-01-27