International human rights consensus: The UAE’s assumption of the presidency of Interpol undermines the organization’s reputation

International human rights groups agree that the possibility of the UAE taking over the presidency of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) undermines the organization’s reputation and empties its mission of its content.

In October 2020, the Telegraph revealed the nomination of Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi, Inspector General of the UAE Ministry of Interior, to head the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), following the human rights and international reactions, denouncing and warning against electing a person facing accusations of torture.

Following the publication of the British newspaper report, about 20 human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, delivered a letter to Interpol Secretary-General Jürgen Stock, expressing their concern about the possible election of Al-Raisi to head (Interpol), claiming that this might undermine the mission and reputation of the international organization, and weaken its ability to act effectively and in good faith.

On May 5, 2021, Human Rights Watch repeated its warning against Al-Raisi’s candidacy, noting that it “may threaten the human rights obligations of the International Police Organization.”

“If (Interpol) again selects a senior official from an abusive government institution as president, the agency will jeopardize its credibility as a rights-respecting international law enforcement agency,” she warned via Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

On June 17, 2021, 35 French parliamentarians from the House of Representatives and Senate sent a letter to President Emmanuel Macron, calling on Paris to oppose the candidacy of Raissi for this position, noting that he is “directly responsible for the police services in his country, which operate with almost complete impunity.”.

Parliamentarians accused Al-Raisi of playing a “central role in the arbitrary detention and violations suffered by many human rights activists,” explaining that he is “on his way” to head (Interpol) and is based in Lyon, eastern France, while his “heavy record should keep him away from such This responsibility.”

On September 15 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on members of the General Assembly (of INTERPOL), in particular EU member states, to “duly consider allegations of human rights violations relating to Major General Al Raisi before the election of the President of the organization from 23-23 November 25.”

In its resolution, Parliament noted that it “notes the concerns expressed by civil society regarding his candidacy and the potential impact on the institution’s reputation.”

A few days ago, 11 human rights organizations, including the “Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center”, called on the British public relations company, Project Associates, to end its relations with the Abu Dhabi authorities and not promote Al Raisi’s candidacy to lead (Interpol).

The organizations’ letter came after a confidential memo confirmed that the British consultancy would run an intense campaign to counter negative stories about the candidate. It will use its “political and diplomatic expertise” to open the doors for Al-Raisi and reach out to senior officials in Britain and Europe to gain their support with “effective diplomacy.”

The elections for the president of (Interpol) and the Executive Committee were scheduled to be held in December 2020 during the organization’s general assembly. Still, the restrictions related to the Coronavirus postponed the date to November of this year.