THE GOVERNMENTS of Barbados and the People’s Republic of China today signed two treaties aimed at assisting each other in investigating criminal matters and bringing fugitives to justice.
Acting Attorney General, Michael Lashley, signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty as well as an Extradition Treaty on behalf of the Government of Barbados, while Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Wang Chao, initialled the documents on behalf of his country.
Speaking after the official signing of the documents at the Office of the Attorney General in Wildey, Lashley explained that the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty would enable both countries to receive assistance in terms of investigations, prosecutions and other proceedings related to criminal matters. The Extradition Treaty, he stated, would allow for more effective cooperation between the countries in the suppression of crime on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty and equality.
“The Government of Barbados is pleased to be a signatory to these treaties since they provide additional avenues for intelligence gathering at a time of widespread transnational crime including financial crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and smuggling.
“In these circumstances, it is necessary to build partnerships for information sharing and other forms of cooperation as we seek to improve our ability to respond to these global challenges.
The activation of these treaties will add value to the law enforcement milieu and help to strengthen investigative capacities and capabilities,” he added.
Vice Minister Wang Chao pointed out that the treaties were yet another signal that Barbados and China maintained close relations and the ability to collaborate on important issues. He further lauded law enforcement in this country for assistance in the recent apprehension of two Chinese fugitives who had been on the run in the Caribbean and were eventually recaptured in St Vincent. (BGIS)
