Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) warned, in an open letter to the European Commission president, of the appointment of the UAE Police Chief Ahmed al-Raisi to the position of president of Interpol.
The MEPs urged European Union (EU) states to elect an Interpol chief that comes “from a country with an established criminal justice system and longstanding respect for human rights”.
They further called on members of Interpol “to examine allegations of human rights abuses” against UAE police chief Ahmed Naser al-Raisi, who is a frontrunner in the upcoming elections.
“We deeply believe that the election of General Al Raisi would undermine the mission and reputation of Interpol and severely affect the ability of the organisation to carry out its mission effectively,” the letter reads.
“It is incumbent on European institutions to ensure its economic contributions are used in a way that strengthens human rights, rather than weakens them.”
They also considered the nomination of the UAE’s official to the position of Interpol director “is a flagrant violation of the second article of the basic law of Interpol,” which respects the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The open letter came ahead of a meeting by the Interpol General Assembly to elect a new president at its 89th annual meeting, due to be held on 23-25 November in Istanbul, Turkey.
The UAE has put forward its Interior Ministry General Inspector, Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, to run for the office.
Serving as the UAE police chief, Major Al Raisi has been accused of serious human rights abuses, including presiding over the torture of two British citizens.
The United Arab Emirates, in the person of Major Al Raisi, is therefore not in a position to head the International Criminal Police.
