On May 14, 2025, Minister Ming-Chien Cheng of Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice and Minister Wisely Zackhras of the Ministry of Justice, Immigration and Labor of the Republic of the Marshall Islands formally signed the “Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Between the Government of the Republic of Chine (Taiwan) and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands”, marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral judicial cooperation. This treaty not only solidifies the legal framework for mutual assistance between the two allied nations but also represents a momentous step forward in combating transnational crime and safeguarding the rights and interests of citizens in both countries.

This treaty is the first mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters signed by Taiwan this year, and is also the first treaty signed by Minister Cheng since taking office. Taiwan has previously signed similar treaties, agreements, or memorandums of understanding with countries including the United States, Germany, Poland, Belize, Saint Lucia, Slovakia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, South Korea, and Japan. The conclusion of this new treaty with the Marshall Islands further demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to building a global network of judicial cooperation and its resolve to fight crime jointly with the international community.

Negotiations for the treaty began in 2023 and were carried out through numerous constructive discussions between Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice and the Marshall Islands’ Ministry of Justice. With strong support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in the Marshall Islands, both sides successfully reached a consensus, leading to the official signing of the treaty.

Under the treaty, both countries will be able to submit mutual legal assistance requests in criminal matters, including obtaining testimonies or statements, providing documents, records, and articles of evidence, locating and identifying persons, serving legal documents, executing requests for searches and seizures, examining objects and sites, and assisting with freezing and confiscation of assets. To further enhance investigative efficiency, the treaty allows for remote video testimony, enabling witnesses to be examined by video conference from abroad. This provision will significantly reduce the time and resources required for cross-border evidence gathering. It aligns with the needs of modern, technology-driven law enforcement practices—bringing substantial benefits to future joint efforts in crime fighting.

Minister Zackhras of the Marshall Islands, accompanied by his spouse, and the Attorney General of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, visited Taiwan to attend the signing ceremony. During the visit, Minister Zackhras met with Minister Cheng to exchange views on deepening bilateral judicial cooperation. The signing ceremony, witnessed by the Ambassador of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Anajnette Katill, underscored the shared determination of Taiwan and the Marshall Islands to enhance judicial collaboration and jointly combat criminal activities.