"The Himalayan Times"   ( Nepal's English daily ) 

Kathmandu, Nepal


Nepali Convicts Languish in Thai Jails

Kathmandu, July 17, 2002
...............................

Himalayan News Service

Thanks to a lack of clear laws on repatriation, thousands of Nepalese are
languishing in foreign jails, especillay in Thailand.

There is no treaty of repatriation between Thailand and Nepal. This has
compunded the problems faced by Nepali jail birds in Thailand, said a an
official at the ministry of external affairs. Currently over 100 Nepalis are
in Thai jail, pressing the government of Nepal for their repartriation so
that they can serve their term in jails in their won country.

The governments of Nepal and Thailand have held several rounds of talks to
reach an agreement called "Transfer of offenders and co-operation in the
enforcement of the penal sentences."  The External Affairs Ministry official
said although there  has been an agreement on signing the agreement, the
absence of laws in Nepal has made the repatriation a problems."

"The need of such a law is felt, and the government is informed of such
cases, still the government's decisions take time to evolve," the official
said. Similarly, an official at the ministry of Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs also agreed about the need for such law.

But neither official was in a position to say anything on when such a law
could be drafted and passed.

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