The article was first published in The Times on 7 November 2024 and be read in full, behind a payroll, here.
The new secretary-general of the intelligence-sharing body must deal with a president accused of complicity in torture and a system that’s open to abuse.
Interpol’s 92nd general assembly opened in Glasgow this week amid a credibility crisis that cuts to the heart of the organisation.
As delegates confirmed Valdecy Urquiza of Brazil as the organisation’s secretary-general, two British citizens who say that they were tortured in Dubai have called for the arrest of Interpol’s Emirati president, Major General Ahmed Naser al-Raisi, for his alleged complicity in their treatment. That the organisation’s president faces these allegations sets the tone for the issues it faces.
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Taiwan’s exclusion from Interpol, at China’s insistence, has created dangerous blind spots in global police co-operation. As Taiwan’s representative to the UK said last week, criminals subject to Interpol red notices can effectively find safe haven on the island, undermining the very purpose of the system. It is a stark example of how geopolitical pressures compromise Interpol’s core mission.
Urquiza’s appointment presents a chance for reform and a fresh start, but he faces serious issues — he must balance maintaining Interpol’s critical role while implementing safeguards against abuse. This task is complicated by Raisi’s expected bid to change the rules and extend his presidency, despite the controversy surrounding him.
Interpol’s effectiveness depends on trust — trust that is rapidly eroding under the weight of political manipulation and institutional compromise. Interpol needs robust mechanisms to uphold the highest standards of integrity. Crucially, it must establish genuine independence from political interference.
Interpol can no longer be the plaything of autocratic regimes.
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Rhys Davies is a leading barrister at Temple Garden Chambers. He specialises in international criminal law and is an expert in international human rights law. He represents business and political leaders, high net worth individuals and human rights defenders in the most sensitive cases. Rhys edits the Red Notice Monitor blog.
The article was first published in The Times on 7 November 2024 and can be read in full, behind a payroll, here.
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