APEC members sign deal to extradite corrupt officials
Print Edition
ASIA-PACIFIC miniters yesterday agreed 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, is the first such network that members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group had worked to set up. It will be led by China.
The network will be an informal one “for sharing information” among anti-corruption and law enforcement authorities, according to a statement.
The deal commits the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific region 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 deal comes as China seeks to widen its graft campaign to nab suspects who have fled abroad. Last month, it 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 told a news briefing.
“Corruption not only creates an unfair playing field, it not only distorts economic relationships, but corruption also steals from the people.”
The agreement also said it will “establish measures and systems to protect whistleblowers.”
It’s uncertain how the agreement will work among countries that do not have mutual extradition treaties.
China has extradition treaties with 38 countries, including five Western nations, but not with the US, Canada or Australia.
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