Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˌɛkstrəˈdɪʃən/

Definitions

• The action of extraditing a person, i.e., handing them over to another jurisdiction for legal purposes, often for prosecution or punishment.
• The process by which a country transfers an individual to another country where they are wanted for criminal prosecution.
• The formal surrender of a suspected criminal by one state or country to another where the person is to face legal charges or punishment.

Usage Examples

• The extradition of the suspect was delayed due to concerns over the fairness of the trial in the requesting country.
• Extradition treaties between countries ensure that fugitives cannot escape justice by fleeing across borders.

Etymology

The word "extradition" comes from the Latin extra meaning "outside" and dare meaning "to give," combined with the English suffix -tion, meaning "the act of." It refers to the act of giving up or handing over an individual to another jurisdiction.

Synonyms

• Deportation
• Transfer
• Surrender
• Repatriation

Antonyms

• Protection
• Retention
• Refusal

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In the UK, the "t" sound is more emphasized: /ˌɛkstrəˈdɪʃən/.
• In the US, there may be a softer pronunciation of the "t," sounding more like /ˌɛkstrəˈdɪʃən/.

Historical Usage

The concept of extradition can be traced back to the early 19th century, particularly with the establishment of formal treaties between countries, such as the US-UK Extradition Treaty of 1842. This helped define the legal framework for extraditing criminals across borders.

Cultural Nuances

Extradition plays a critical role in maintaining international law and order. However, different countries may have differing views on extradition based on their legal systems and policies, such as those concerning the death penalty or political offenses. For example, some countries refuse to extradite individuals if they face capital punishment in the requesting country.

More Information

Extradition is a critical process in international law that allows governments to work together in the pursuit of justice. It is typically governed by treaties between countries and involves legal procedures to ensure that individuals accused or convicted of crimes can be transferred to the country seeking prosecution or punishment. The scope of extradition agreements may vary, but they commonly cover major crimes such as murder, fraud, and drug trafficking. However, some countries exclude certain offenses, such as political crimes, from extradition. International bodies such as Interpol facilitate communication and coordination between nations to carry out extradition requests.