Letter to the editor: Stop excluding Taiwan from Interpol

Commentary

OPINION:

The 94th Interpol General Assembly will be held in Hong Kong from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3. Every year, the meeting gathers global police chiefs and ministers from member countries to shape international security policy.

The flagship key agenda is to review worldwide crime trends, cooperative security measures and the organization’s future financial policies.

However, among the 196 member nations of the Interpol, Taiwan is absent — despite the fact that the island is a net contributor to international law enforcement.

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Taiwan currently relies on the U.S. and other countries to pass along, informally, Interpol information on relevant criminal activity. Granting Taiwan observer status would promote stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region and assist Taiwan in protecting the safety of its citizens by combating criminal activity.

The continuous exclusion of Taiwan from Interpol runs counter to global efforts to combat terrorism.

As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is ready, willing and able to play a vital part in the global initiative to thwart acts of terrorism and crime against humanity. As part of Interpol, Taiwan could do even more.

To enable the seamless flow of information between international police agencies and improved coordinated cross-border actions, the United States must voice its support for Taiwan’s participation in Interpol.

Taiwan has been excluded from Interpol for the past 34 years. With the rise of terrorism around the globe, Taiwan must be allowed to join the 94th Interpol General Assembly.