INTERPOL2003-11-19 21:09:30
Interpol enhances red notice system for terrorism suspects.
Widens criteria for alerting world to suspected terrorists.
NEW YORK - Interpol, the international police organization, has made an important change in the requirements for the issuance of international wanted persons notices, known as Red Notices, based on membership in a terrorist organization.
Article 3 of the Interpol constitution forbids the organization from getting involved in cases of a political, military, religious or racial character. Until now it has been interpreted to mean that no Red Notice could be issued based only on the crime of being a member of a terrorist organization. Individuals had to be charged with other criminal offences such as murder, assault, conspiracy to commit a crime before a Red Notice could be issued.
The policy change has come about because membership in a terrorist organization is now a criminal offence recognized by increasing numbers of countries and because Interpol has developed greater expertise in evaluating such Red Notice requests. Thus, effective 18 November 2003, Interpol has begun authorizing the issuance of Red Notices based on this offence, even if the individuals are not wanted for other crimes.
Requesting countries will, however, be required to provide strong evidence that wanted individuals are indeed members of terrorist organizations. Mere lists of suspected members of terrorist groups generated by member countries will not be a sufficient basis for issuing an Interpol Red Notice.
"In order to fight terrorism effectively, countries must be able to search internationally for members of terrorist organizations before they commit specific acts of terrorism. By issuing Red Notices for the offence of membership in a terrorist organization, Interpol provides its member countries with an essential additional tool," Secretary General Ronald K. Noble told an anti-terrorism conference in New York.
Mr. Noble said that since September 11, 2001, Interpol has been taking all necessary steps to assist the world's police in their fight against terrorism and other serious cross-border crimes.
The change in requirements for the issuance of Red Notices based on membership in a terrorist organization is just one of many initiatives undertaken by Interpol in recent months. Among other things, Interpol has reduced to one day the time it takes to issue Red Notices; developed regional anti-terrorist task forces; created a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week Command and Co-ordination Centre and has introduced a state-of-the-art encrypted police communication system called I-24/7.
Widens criteria for alerting world to suspected terrorists.
NEW YORK - Interpol, the international police organization, has made an important change in the requirements for the issuance of international wanted persons notices, known as Red Notices, based on membership in a terrorist organization.
Article 3 of the Interpol constitution forbids the organization from getting involved in cases of a political, military, religious or racial character. Until now it has been interpreted to mean that no Red Notice could be issued based only on the crime of being a member of a terrorist organization. Individuals had to be charged with other criminal offences such as murder, assault, conspiracy to commit a crime before a Red Notice could be issued.
The policy change has come about because membership in a terrorist organization is now a criminal offence recognized by increasing numbers of countries and because Interpol has developed greater expertise in evaluating such Red Notice requests. Thus, effective 18 November 2003, Interpol has begun authorizing the issuance of Red Notices based on this offence, even if the individuals are not wanted for other crimes.
Requesting countries will, however, be required to provide strong evidence that wanted individuals are indeed members of terrorist organizations. Mere lists of suspected members of terrorist groups generated by member countries will not be a sufficient basis for issuing an Interpol Red Notice.
"In order to fight terrorism effectively, countries must be able to search internationally for members of terrorist organizations before they commit specific acts of terrorism. By issuing Red Notices for the offence of membership in a terrorist organization, Interpol provides its member countries with an essential additional tool," Secretary General Ronald K. Noble told an anti-terrorism conference in New York.
Mr. Noble said that since September 11, 2001, Interpol has been taking all necessary steps to assist the world's police in their fight against terrorism and other serious cross-border crimes.
The change in requirements for the issuance of Red Notices based on membership in a terrorist organization is just one of many initiatives undertaken by Interpol in recent months. Among other things, Interpol has reduced to one day the time it takes to issue Red Notices; developed regional anti-terrorist task forces; created a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week Command and Co-ordination Centre and has introduced a state-of-the-art encrypted police communication system called I-24/7.
For more information contact:
General Secretariat
200, Quai Charles De Gaulle
69006 LYON
France
Fax: +33 4 72 44 71 63