Caption: Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil.
By MATTHEW VARI
Sunday, April 10, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)
DEPUTY Opposition Leader Sam Basil in Parliament on Tuesday questioned Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato on the status of extradition between both the country and its nearest neighbor.
Basil also asked if the minister had received any formal notice from the Indonesian Embassy following mixed reports being made on whether or not the country had received formal notice of complaint in the country in reference to Djoko Tjandra and his status as a wanted fugitive across the border.
Mr Basil made reference to statements by the minister on treaties between vital foreign partners through bi-lateral, multi-lateral, and tri-lateral agreement.
“I am happy that while he mentions our treaty partners he has mentioned Indonesia. What arrangements do we have with Indonesia that if someone breaks a law in PNG and runs away from the justice system from PNG- likewise from there to here. What law stands between both countries to look into this?” Basil asked.
“In today’s (April 5) paper I saw that the Indonesian Embassy has stated clearly that there is a fugitive here that has broken their law and has two years jail sentence and now here. I ask the minister through his office if he has received any information from the Indonesia embassy that there is such an individual in the country or no.”
Minister Pato reiterated Indonesia’s strong relationship with the country. Stating that during the state visit of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and ministerial delegation in 2013, the country signed 11 different instruments that included extradition between both countries.
“Three were treaties and eight were MoUs which related to different issues from security and development for the progress for the people of Indonesia and those of this country.”
“One of these treaties signed was that of extradition, and of course there are internal processes and procedures in both countries that must be complied with to bring that treaty into force,” Minister Pato said.
He said that in a recent visit to Indonesia two week ago, he along with his Indonesian counterpart, discussed the issue in bilateral talks in ensuring all process on both sides are completed.
“Those two processes are yet to be completed and those are independent processes done by the ministry on foreign affairs. In bringing those treaties into force we are looking at completing those processes. I am unable to give the details of what those actual processes are.”
“If those processes are completed I can bring that matter to this honorable house for ratification of that treaty, but of course the relevant instrument was signed and we are waiting completion of those processes.”
He concluded that with respect to whether a notice has been received as to the individual concerned’s fugitive status- the minister said no such request had been made to his office.
“As far as I am concerned the citizen of whom the deputy opposition leader was referring to I am not aware that any criminal allegation has been made by anyone in this country. Up to this point clearly I have not received any notice within a framework.”
“We live in a world where there are rules regulations whereby complying with the law. If there are proper notices in the courts with proper procedures which are recognized internationally if it is a matter for me to act than I will act on it. If it is a matter for the government to act on this I will bring the matter to the attention of cabinet,” Pato said.
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