Dec. 11, 2020: Taiwan and Switzerland complete the signing of agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons

After more than three years of coordination and communication, and with full cooperation among the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the Taipei Cultural and Economic Delegation, Taiwan and Switzerland finally reached a consensus to sign the "Agreement between the Taipei Cultural and Economic Delegation and the Trade Office of Swiss Industries on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons”.

This agreement was first signed in Taipei, Taiwan by Director Mr. Reto Renggli of the Trade Office of Swiss on December 11, 2020. Latterly, Dr. Weifeng Huang, the representative of the Taipei Cultural and Economic Delegation, signed as well in Bern, Switzerland to complete the procedure.

It is the fifth agreement signed with a European country, which is after similar ones with Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark, and the agreement of mutual legal assistance with Poland. In the future, according to the "Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act ", once the prisoner expresses his/her will and makes a request, with certain conditions are met, the MOJ will assist them to return to his/her home country and continue to execute his/her sentence. This is not only for humane purpose, but also for benevolent consideration for the victim's family, and is conducive to the prisoner's return to society in due time, so as to achieve the functions of correction.

So far, the MOJ has handed over seven German prisoners, one British prisoner and one Danish prisoner to their home countries respectively to continue their sentences.