The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK invites you to attend a panel discussion on the use of the International Police Organization (Interpol) by the UAE for political purposes and objectives that violate the fundamental principles of the Organisation.
Leading international criminal and human rights lawyers, experts and campaigners will discuss the relation between INTERPOL and the UAE, its effects in the present and future.
Holiday Inn London Regent’s Park
Carburton Street
Room : Somerville
W1W 5EE London
United Kingdom
Thursday, 17 May 2018 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM (BST)
Speakers:
Rhys Davies – Barrister (Chair)
Ben Keith – Barrister
Mark Hambling – Barrister
Malcolm Hawkes – Barrister
Toby Cadman – Barrister
Conference Summary
INTERPOL, as much as it is essential in seeking to combat global crime and terrorism, has been subject to stark criticism over recent years, given the manner in which its system of ‘Red Notice’ and ‘Diffusion Notice’, have been subjected to manipulation by those who seek to target political and ideological enemies e.g. the Government of Egypt pursuing political opponents.
The risk of manipulation is now arguably even greater, given the announcement in March 2017 that it had accepted a contribution of €50 million, from the UAE, a state renown for its lack of respect for human rights, its willingness to ignore fundamental freedoms, and its penchant for pursuing political opponents or detractors through a domestic court system that has in effect been weaponised so as to become a further arm of state oppression.
It is accepted that the donation was made to INTERPOL’s ‘Foundation for a Safer World’, an organisation that is described as being at ‘arms-length’ from INTERPOL’s core functions, however, the fact remains it is still part of INTERPOL and thus it cannot be free from inference.
It is appropriate to consider its funding structure, and whether there is potential for manipulation or an inference of the same.
Further, INTERPOL’s systems of Red and Diffusion notices are also worthy of scrutiny given the criticisms already made, and whether there needs to be an overhaul.
