By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ISTANBUL (AA) – Ahead of an Interpol General Assembly meeting later this month, Taiwan on Thursday sought support for its inclusion in the global policing body as an observer.
“With an outstanding track record of public security, Taiwan must be included in efforts to combat transnational crime,” said Chou Yew-woei, the commissioner of Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau.
This year marks the centennial anniversary since the founding of the International Criminal Police Commission, which later became Interpol in 1956. It currently has 195 members.
The world’s largest police organization is set to hold its 91st session of general assembly – its supreme governing body and comprises delegates appointed by the governments of member countries – in Austria’s capital Vienna from Nov. 28 until Dec. 1.
Interpol was founded in Vienna in 1923.
Chou said Taiwan’s inclusion in Interpol would lead to “jointly combating new forms of transnational crime through real-time cooperation.”
Seeking support for Taiwan’s participation in the global policing body, Chou said: “With the advancement of information and communications technology, this age-old crime (fraud) is gaining new dimensions and posing an incalculable threat to global security.”
To fight transnational crime, he said, “law enforcement officers from around the world must unite and come together” and the world “should not exclude Taiwan, as this is letting criminals have their way.”
Chou added: “Taiwan’s police authorities are taking the initiative of engaging with their counterparts around the world to fight crime.”
Taiwan was removed from Interpol in 1984 when China acceded to the global body, according to the official.
China considers Taiwan as its “breakaway province” while Taipei has insisted on its independence since 1949.
Exclusion from Interpol, Chou said, has “made Taiwan’s efforts to fight transnational crime and make the world a better place all more difficult.”