30 October 2020
Peter Oborne argues that Interpol should reject the candidacy of Major General Nasser Ahmed al-Raisi, a police chief in the United Arab Emirates, for the policing organisation's top job. Al-Raisi is responsible for managing the UAE's security forces, who stand accused of serious crimes, including the repression of dissent and torture. Interpol's general assembly is due to decide the organisation's new chief in December.
Support our work: become a Friend of Statewatch from as little as £1/€1 per month.
UAE police chief would be a disastrous choice to lead Interpol (Middle East Eye, link):
"...there is perhaps some reason to be worried by reports that Major General Nasser Ahmed al-Raisi, a UAE police chief, is running to be head of Interpol. The decision is due to be announced at Interpol's general assembly in December, which is being held in the UAE. Raisi, who already sits on Interpol's executive committee, is said to be a frontrunner.
Interpol has 194 member states. I can think of a number of them that would be less appropriate to provide the leadership of Interpol - but not many.
Indeed, the UAE has already been accused of misusing the red notice system. It has reportedly been used in the past against individuals who owed debt to UAE banks. Foreigners have found themselves subject to red notices for business disputes, but also smaller offences such as bounced checks and credit card debt.
Meanwhile, Raisi has already been accused of "presiding over the torture of two British citizens," according to the Telegraph."
Oborne recounts numerous instances in which Interpol's 'Red Notice' system has been abused by states, including the UAE. Interpol's Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) system has also been used by states to hound political dissidents.
Further reading
Spotted an error? If you've spotted a problem with this page, just click once to let us know.
Statewatch does not have a corporate view, nor does it seek to create one, the views expressed are those of the author. Statewatch is not responsible for the content of external websites and inclusion of a link does not constitute an endorsement. Registered UK charity number: 1154784. Registered UK company number: 08480724. Registered company name: The Libertarian Research & Education Trust. Registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH. © Statewatch ISSN 1756-851X. Personal usage as private individuals "fair dealing" is allowed. We also welcome links to material on our site. Usage by those working for organisations is allowed only if the organisation holds an appropriate licence from the relevant reprographic rights organisation (eg: Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK) with such usage being subject to the terms and conditions of that licence and to local copyright law.