New US-Dominican Republic treaty respects extraditables’ rights: U.S. envoy

Santo Domingo.- U.S. ambassador James Brewster on Tuesday said the human rights of anyone accused will be respected under the revised Washington-Santo Domingo extradition treaty, dating to 1909, whose final talks began at the Foreign Ministry today.

He said the agreement needed updating since many crimes have emerged in recent times, citing high-tech felonies, terrorism and contract killings among them.

Officials from both countries have discussed the signing of a new agreement for more than three months, with the final meetings to take place during the next three days.

The project seeks a more effective cooperation, detailed requirements and procedures for a person wanted in extradition to surrender, and includes requests for temporary detentions.

Dominican officials from the Foreign Ministry’s Extraditions and International Affairs departments, the Justice Ministry and the Presidency’s Legal Adviser participate in the talks, with representatives of the U.S. State and Justice departments, and the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo.