Enhanced co-operation: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee (right) and South Africa's Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development Mohamed Enver Surty exchange the texts of two bilateral agreements.

Hong Kong and South Africa have signed two agreements covering surrender of fugitive offenders and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee and South Africa's Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development Mohamed Enver Surty signed the agreements today.

Each will come into effect 30 days after the parties have notified each other in writing that they have complied with their respective requirements for the agreement's entry into force.

The first agreement sets out the conditions for the surrender of fugitive offenders and contains the usual safeguards in similar international agreements. 

The conduct in which a person's surrender is required must constitute an offence punishable by imprisonment for at least one year, according to both parties' law. Surrender may be refused if the offence for which surrender of a fugitive is requested is punishable with the death penalty.

The mutual legal assistance in criminal matters agreement includes identifying and locating people, document serving, and obtaining and delivering statements, evidence, articles or documents.

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