BIZCHINA / Oceana
China, NZ sign off on law enforcement treaty
(nbr.co.nz)
Updated: 2006-04-06 08:45
The first fruit of China Premier Wen Jiabao's New Zealand visit has been
the signing of a treaty designed to secure greater cooperation on law
enforcement matters.
In a ceremony at Parliament, the signing of the Mutual Legal Assistance
in Criminal Matters treaty was witnessed by Premier Wen and Prime
Minister Helen Clark, said Attorney-General Michael Cullen.
According to the government, the treay provides a legal framework for
both countries to request and receive the assistance of the other in
matters such as the taking of evidence in court, the execution of search
warrants, and the recovery and forfeiture of proceeds of crime.
The treaty will also allow customs officials to seek assistance with the
investigation of offences against the Customs and Excise Act and the
Misuse of Drugs Act.
This strengthens the cooperation that already exists under a non-binding
arrangement with China to cooperate on customs matters, the government
said.
The government says that as links with China continue to grow, the treaty
will become increasingly useful in dealing with criminal matters in both
countries.
"It also assists in ensuring that requests from New Zealand will be
afforded the same level of attention as those of other countries that
have mutual assistance treaties with China," the government said.
The treaty allows either country to refuse assistance in certain
circumstances, such as when assistance would be contrary to fundamental
principles of either country's law -- or if the request is of a political
or military character.
New Zealand has concluded two similar mutual legal assistance treaties
with the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (Hong Kong).
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