Interpol Tightens Oversight of Databases to Combat Misuse by Authoritarian Regimes
Interpol, recognized as the world’s largest policing organization, has recently enhanced its oversight of critical databases that have been exploited by authoritarian leaders to monitor and intimidate political dissidents. A senior official from Interpol disclosed these developments on Thursday, signaling a proactive approach to address the misuse of its systems.
The revisions pertain specifically to two crucial systems: blue notices and green notices. These tools enable governments to alert one another regarding suspects who may be traveling internationally. Interpol views these notices as vital instruments in the ongoing battle against international crime and terrorism.
This policy shift follows a comprehensive investigation by The New York Times earlier this year, which revealed that authoritarian regimes have long sought to exploit Interpol’s resources for their own purposes. After years of efforts to rectify the misuse of red notices, which operate akin to international arrest warrants, it became evident that some governments were redirecting their attention to less scrutinized Interpol databases.
- For instance, countries like Belarus and Turkey have weaponized Interpol’s database of lost and stolen passports, using it to harass dissidents or leave them stranded while abroad.
- The misuse became so pronounced that Interpol temporarily suspended Turkey’s access to this database, while Belarus remains under special monitoring.
Blue notices serve as governmental alerts that seek police information regarding individuals currently abroad. Over the past decade, the issuance of blue notices has approximately doubled. In contrast, green notices allow governments to communicate warnings about individuals’ criminal activities to one another.
Traditionally, Interpol reviewed these notices only after they had been disseminated. However, the organization will now conduct pre-issuance checks to enhance oversight. “We realized that some countries opted to submit blue notices to bypass our anticipated denial of a red notice,” explained Yaron Gottlieb, the head of the team responsible for assessing Interpol notices, during an interview. “Fortunately, the incidence of this tactic is relatively low.”
Mr. Gottlieb’s team is committed to reviewing all blue and green alerts within a 48-hour timeframe, particularly for nations that have shown a tendency to misuse these notices. He also indicated that Interpol is exploring ways to bolster oversight of the passport database.
The new policy took effect this fall, aligning the scrutiny of blue and green notices with that of red notices, thereby enhancing the organization’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
For many observers, this change is a welcome, albeit overdue, development. “This is a significant step towards minimizing the potential for abuse, and it is a reform Interpol should have enacted years ago,” remarked Ted R. Bromund, an analyst with extensive experience in studying Interpol’s practices.
The responsibility for addressing these challenges now rests with Interpol’s newly elected Secretary General, Valdecy Urquiza from Brazil, who was chosen during the organization’s annual general assembly held in Glasgow, Scotland, on Tuesday.
