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Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13566 | 02 July 2014

Abusive use of the Interpol system: the need for more stringent legal safeguards

Signatories: Mr Pieter OMTZIGT, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Ms Mónika BARTOS, Hungary, EPP/CD ; Ms Marieluise BECK, Germany, ALDE ; Ms Elena CENTEMERO, Italy, EPP/CD ; Ms Lolita ČIGĀNE, Latvia, EPP/CD ; Mr Zsolt CSENGER-ZALÁN, Hungary, EPP/CD ; Ms Katalin CSÖBÖR, Hungary, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernard FOURNIER, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Hans FRANKEN, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Ms Arpine HOVHANNISYAN, Armenia, EPP/CD ; Mr Florin IORDACHE, Romania, SOC ; Ms Naira KARAPETYAN, Armenia, EPP/CD ; Mr Michael McNAMARA, Ireland, SOC ; Mr Joseph O'REILLY, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Ms Marietta de POURBAIX-LUNDIN, Sweden, EPP/CD ; Ms Mechthild RAWERT, Germany, SOC ; Mr Kimmo SASI, Finland, EPP/CD ; Ms Chiora TAKTAKISHVILI, Georgia, ALDE ; Mr Egidijus VAREIKIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD ; Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD

The Parliamentary Assembly notes that:

  • The International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol, is a body that should serve the aim of combatting transnational crime. It is based on a principle of good will and should function in the full neutrality and respect of the fundamental human rights;
  • Over the last years, there have been a number of cases, in which Interpol and the “red notices” system in particular have been abused by some member States for obtaining political goals, repressing the freedom of expression or persecuting political opposition abroad;
  • Such instrumental use of Interpol has provoked detentions and, in some cases, forced returns of individuals critical of their authorities back to the country where they risk torture or ill-treatment;
  • Interpol’s current structure and tools to prevent the politically aimed misuse of its system have proven insufficient and lacking in transparency;
  • Appealing the decision of Interpol on putting someone on the international wanted list is very costly, often lengthy and fruitless, as it can only be done by addressing the organization with a formal request;
  • The misuse of Interpol system can cause serious damage to one’s health, reputation and life;
  • Countries such as Kazakhstan and Russia collaborate closely in the instrumental use of Interpol for obtaining political aims.

The Assembly, therefore:

  • Deplores such instrumental and political use of Interpol system and recognizes the need for its reform;
  • Decides to study the issue more profoundly and provide conclusions in the form of a report on the issue of misuse of Interpol system for political aims.