Recent INTERPOL Reforms Provide Insight Into Strategies For Challenging Improper Red Notices

In the past decade, as the use of Red Notices by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) member states has increased dramatically, so too have calls for INTERPOL to strengthen its gatekeeping function and guard against national authorities' potential misuse of this powerful tool of international law enforcement cooperation. Even though INTERPOL's Constitution prohibits the use of Red Notices to target political opponents or to pursue groundless or improper claims, the procedures by which INTERPOL issues and reviews Red Notices—and the options for challenging them—have not always been clear. After significant international criticism as well as numerous individual complaints, INTERPOL recognized these problems and has taken steps toward greater transparency and due process. This Advisory provides background information on INTERPOL and its Notice system, details INTERPOL's recent reforms, and analyzes redacted decisions addressing requests to delete