Representative to the US Stanley Kao says that Taiwan’s exclusion from INTERPOL only benefits criminals. Kao published an op-ed piece on the issue in US publication The Washington Times.
In his article, Kao writes, “Global law enforcement coordination has become even more critical in this age of international terrorism, cybercrime, telecom fraud and increasing transnational crime, including cross-border drug smuggling.” He says that Taiwan has been barred from INTERPOL ever since China joined the organization in 1984. Furthermore, Taiwanese police are prohibited from using the I-24/7 Global Police Communications System, which is vital to fighting international crime.
Kao writes, “Article 2 of Interpol’s constitution stipulates, ‘Its aims are to ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities.’” He says that politics is not a valid ground for Taiwan’s exclusion.
Kao says he hopes Taiwan will get observer status at this year’s INTERPOL General Assembly in Chile, scheduled to take place from October 15 to 18. He says that Taiwan’s geographicl location makes it an ideal travel hub. With so many people transiting through the country, he says, it makes sense for Taiwan to be a part of INTERPOL mechanisms.