udlevering

Udlevering, in international law, refers to the formal surrender of a person located in one country to another country for the purpose of criminal prosecution or the enforcement of a sentence. It is a key instrument of international cooperation, allowing states to pursue individuals who commit offenses across borders and to ensure that justice is not frustrated by relocation.

Extradition is governed by national legislation and international treaties. In the European Union it is often conducted under the European Arrest Warrant framework, which creates streamlined procedures for arrest and surrender. Outside the EU, extradition typically relies on bilateral or multilateral treaties and customary international law. The doctrine of dual criminality and protections against political offenses frequently apply.

Grounds for refusing or limiting extradition include political offenses, the risk of persecution, torture or other inhuman treatment, and concerns about a fair trial or substantive human rights. Some jurisdictions also assess whether the offense is punishable in the requesting state and whether extradition would threaten non-refoulement obligations or double jeopardy.

Procedural steps usually involve a formal request to the central competent authority in the requested state, a short period of provisional arrest, and a judicial or administrative review. If the request is granted, the person is surrendered; if denied, the person may be released or allowed to contest the decision in court.

Extradition is distinct from asylum procedures, which assess protection against persecution. In practice, consideration of humanitarian or public interest factors can influence decisions, and individuals may challenge extradition on human rights grounds. The topic encompasses criminal law, international law, and human rights law.