INTERPOL Red Notices are of considerable interest and concern to many citizens around the world. These notices are often used for the international search for persons suspected of serious crimes or those who are trying to avoid responsibility abroad. However, as practice shows, red notices are sometimes misused, leading to violations of the rights and freedoms of ordinary people. Unfortunately, situations when an authoritative tool for fighting crime becomes a means of political or economic pressure are not uncommon. In this context, it is important to know how to protect yourself and your rights if an INTERPOL Red Notice has been used against you unlawfully. In this article, we will discuss effective approaches and steps that can help you avoid negative consequences and defend your rights and explore how Interpol lawyers at rednoticearabia.com can help you with red notices defence.
What is Interpol?
Interpol, or the International Criminal Police Organization, is the largest international crime-fighting agency. The organization brings together 194 member countries that cooperate to fight cross-border crime, from tracking down dangerous criminals to exposing large networks linked to terrorism, human trafficking, corruption and other serious offenses. One of the main tools used by INTERPOL is a system of international notices that help coordinate the actions of law enforcement agencies from different countries.
An INTERPOL Red Notice is a special type of request used to track down individuals suspected of committing serious crimes. It is not an arrest warrant, but it signals to law enforcement agencies in different countries that the person is wanted and they may be asked to detain him or her for further extradition to the country that initiated the search.
When can a Red Notice not be issued?
INTERPOL Red Notices are to be used exclusively within the framework of international law and are intended to detain persons suspected of serious criminal offenses. However, there are cases when a Red Notice is issued illegally, in violation of the principles and rules of Interpol. In particular, politically motivated red notices are illegal and cannot be issued in accordance with the Interpol charter. The organization prohibits the use of its tools to persecute individuals because of their political, religious, racial or ethnic affiliation or because of their participation in peaceful social movements.
Politically motivated red notices are most often used to persecute opposition activists, journalists, human rights defenders, or individuals who have been victims of political pressure from their government. If a Red Notice has signs of political persecution, it can be canceled by Interpol after appropriate review.
In addition to political motives, Red Notices are considered illegal in cases where:
- The information provided for their issuance is false or misleading;
- A person is wanted for crimes that do not fall under the criminal jurisdiction of international law (e.g., misdemeanors or civil cases);
- The communication violates human rights, in particular the right to a fair trial;
- There is no sufficient evidence or grounds for an international wanted list.
Interpol strictly enforces its rules and policies, in particular Article 3 of the charter, which prohibits interference in matters of a political, military, religious or racial nature. Therefore, a person against whom an unlawful red notice has been issued may file a complaint and request its revision or cancellation.
How do I check if I have an INTERPOL Red Notice?
There are several ways to check whether an INTERPOL Red Notice has been issued against you. First of all, a person can contact the national central bureau of Interpol in their country, which has access to the organization’s database. However, not all countries provide this information to citizens. Another option is to contact a lawyer who specializes in international law and has experience working with Interpol. In some cases, a lawyer can submit a request to the Interpol File Control Commission, which reviews requests from citizens regarding their presence in the Interpol database.
First steps to take when you find a red notice
If you find out that an INTERPOL Red Notice has been issued against you, it is important to respond quickly and competently to protect your rights and minimize risks. Steps to take:
- Contact a lawyer specializing in international law and INTERPOL matters. First of all, you should contact a lawyer with experience in Interpol matters. Such a specialist will be able to advise you on further actions, protect your interests and, if necessary, represent your interests before the Interpol authorities or in court.
- Prepare the necessary documents for protection. Collect all documents that can prove that the charges are unfounded. These can be court decisions that acquit you or other official documents that confirm your innocence. It is also important to collect any evidence that suggests a political or other illegal motivation for the issuance of the red notice.
- Risk assessment. Together with your lawyer, identify the countries where you are most likely to be arrested at the request of Interpol. This is especially important if the red notice is politically motivated or issued illegally. In some countries where human rights are less protected, the risk of arrest may be higher.
Submitting a request to the INTERPOL Commission for the Control of Files (CCF)
If you believe that an INTERPOL Red Notice has been issued unlawfully, you can contact the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL Files (CCF). This independent body reviews complaints about the erroneous or illegal use of INTERPOL databases and has the right to review or remove red notice if it finds a violation of the rules. To submit a request, you need to prepare an application and provide evidence to prove that the accusations are unfounded or that there is a political motive for the prosecution.
How to prevent the repeated issuance of red notices
To avoid the re-issuance of a red notice after it has been canceled, you can submit a so-called preventive request to Interpol. This request serves as a warning to Interpol that the previous Red Notice has been canceled due to unlawful prosecution and indicates possible risks of its re-use in the future. In this way, Interpol will be warned about the previous circumstances and will be able to avoid re-publishing the notice on the same grounds.
In addition, you can submit an application for revision – an application to review the available data in the Interpol database. This allows you to check and update the records related to your case to ensure that they are up-to-date and do not contain false or outdated information that may result in a repeat request.
When do I need to contact lawyers?
Contacting lawyers who specialize in international law and INTERPOL-related matters is an important step in the event of a misuse of a Red Notice. The assistance of a specialist may be necessary in such cases:
- Suspicion of politically motivated persecution. If there are grounds to believe that the Red Notice is being used for political pressure or persecution, a lawyer will help you collect evidence and file a complaint with the relevant Interpol authorities.
- Planning trips abroad. If you have a red notice, a lawyer will be able to assess the risks of detention in different countries and help you avoid dangerous situations.
- Preparation of a request to the Commission for the Control of Interpol Files (CCF). A lawyer will help you to properly file a complaint, collect the necessary documents and provide advice on how to argue your case.
- Preventing the re-issuance of the notice. A lawyer can file a preventive request or application for revision to avoid the risk of re-issuing an INTERPOL Red Notice.
