The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill on Monday that supports Taiwan’s participation in the International Police Criminal Organization (Interpol).
The bill directs U.S. President Barack Obama and Interpol Washington to develop a strategy to assist Taiwan in obtaining observer status in Interpol.
The bill will take effect pending approval from the U.S. Senate. The U.S. president is also required within 30 days of the bill’s enactment to present a strategy report to Congress. It should describe the U.S.’s strategy to endorse Taiwan in its observatory status and its participation in Interpol meetings and activities.
This is the latest effort from the U.S. Congress to support Taiwan’s bid to join international organizations. It has previously pushed for U.S. support in Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and International Civil Aviation Organization.
Taiwan’s office in the U.S. expressed gratitude for the support in a press release. It states that Taiwan will be able to make a valuable contribution to Interpol actions against global human trafficking, gun smuggling and terrorism.