Apec backs extradition of corrupt officials

[Lite Beer]

Apec backs extradition of corrupt officials

BEIJING :-- States to set up network to share intelligence to catch graft suspects

Asia Pacific countries agreed yesterday to cooperate on the extradition of corrupt officials, enhance asset recovery efforts and establish an anti-corruption transparency network to share intelligence on graft.

The network, called the Apec Network of Anti-Corruption Authorities and Law Enforcement Agencies (ACT-NET), is the first such network that members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group had worked to set up. It is led by China but also pushed forward by the United States.

The network would be an informal one "for sharing information" among anti-corruption and law enforcement authorities in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a statement issued by the Apec members.

The agreement commits the 21 member economies in the Asia-Pacific region, including China and the United States, to "deny safe haven to those engaged in corruption, including through extradition, mutual legal assistance and the recovery and return of proceeds of corruption".

The agreement comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping seeks to widen his far-reaching graft campaign to nab suspects who have fled abroad, particularly those who have taken their ill-gotten gains with them. Last month, China said it had captured 180 people suspected of committing economic crimes in its campaign called "Operation Fox Hunt".

"We believe that this cooperation is a major step forward," US Secretary of State John Kerry said at a news briefing. "Corruption not only creates an unfair playing field, it not only distorts economic relationships, but corruption also steals from the people ... who believe the system can work for everyone."

It is unclear if the agreement will effectively curb corruption. Western governments have baulked at setting up extradition deals with China because torture is often used by Chinese legal authorities in extracting confessions, and capital punishment is widely meted out for corruption crimes.

The agreement also said it would "establish measures and systems to protect whistleblowers".

It is uncertain how the agreement would work among countries that do not have mutual extradition treaties. China has extradition treaties with 38 countries, but not the United States, Canada or Australia - the three most popular destinations for suspected economic criminals, according to state media.

Also in Beijing yesterday, Apec member countries agreed to move forward on a Beijing-backed free trade deal for Pacific countries.

The ministers responsible for trade from Apec members agreed to a roadmap to study the options for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

"In order to translate the FTAAP from a vision to reality, we agree to kick off and advance the process in a comprehensive and systematic manner towards the eventual realisation of the FTAAP," said the statement posted on Apec’s website yesterday.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Apec-backs-extradition-of-corrupt-officials-30247322.html

-- The Nation 2014-11-09

[RustBucket]

Let's hope they start with looking at HK offshore bank accounts of past and present politicians and their families.

[zaphod reborn]

Put your money where your mouth is. Next time Thaksin visits, China can send him back to Thailand.

[shirtless]

It will never happen ,

[Pattaya28]

What takes away the credibility is 1 word "informal".

[Thomas Hannah]

Another group set up ,To do what.All over the world,there are these groups of people,If its not for this ,its for that..But nothing ever changes.I think these groups are used for other things,But have to give a disguise,for what there realy doing.

[Benmart]

It will never happen ,

I can't see into the future, therefore, I cannot speak with such certainly.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

No mention of Thailand or any Thai official quoted anywhere in that news report.... Kind of odd considering the article was published in a Thai newspaper. Hmmmm????

There certainly seems to have been, over a long period, more official criminals fleeing out of Thailand for places like Laos and Cambodia than Asian government crooks from other countries coming here... At least, among those we hear about. And I'm not even going to broach the familiar Dubai subject.

[than]

Put your money where your mouth is. Next time Thaksin visits, China can send him back to Thailand.

We hope so !!!!!

Make the dream come true

[sfokevin]

#whenpigsfly

Edited November 9, 2014 by sfokevin