Justice Abroad Director, Michael Polak, Extensively Quoted in El Diarios on Red Notices and the Reform of INTERPOL
Director of Justice Abroad, Michael Polak, was quoted extensively by Javier Bbiosca Azcoiti in his elDiario article regarding the fact that authoritarian governments use Interpol Red Notices to "hunt down" political opponents abroad and that Turkey, one of the countries that abuses the system the most, is currently hosting the Interpol General Assembly
Mr Polak was quoted saying, “The use of INTERPOL notices has increased markedly as the world has become increasingly interconnected.” Azcoiti noted that there are currently 66,370 Red Notices of which only 7,669 are public, making it an impossible task to identify how many of these notices are politically motivated although the evidence demonstrates that there is a growing number that should never have been registered by for this reason.
INTERPOL’s General Assembly is being held in Tukey this week from Tuesday 23 November 2021 to Thursday 25 November 2021. Azcoiti noted the irony of the meeting being held in Turkey, one of the countries that abuses the system most. Mr Polak was quoted here saying, “Holding the General Assembly in Turkey sends the wrong message about the values of INTERPOL and its ability to stand up against corrupt autocratic regimes. A terrible message will also be sent out if INTERPOL elects Ahmed Naser al-Raisi, a senior security official from the United Arab Emirates to be its next President at the Assembly in Istanbul. Raisi oversees the UAE’s security services who have persecuted leading human rights lawyer Dr Mohamed Al-Roken (sentenced to 10 years in prison), activist Ahmed Mansoor (also sentenced to 10 years), and Dr Nasser bin Ghaith a prominent economist (also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for calling for political reform and human rights in the UAE). Further, the UAE has a form for using the INTERPOL notice system for political ends contrary to INTERPOL’s Constitution. Electing al-Raisi would be a retrograde move by INTERPOL and further damage its image as an organisation that should protect fundamental human rightists whilst carrying out its purposes.”
Whilst criticising the process of granting these Red Notices too eagerly, Mr Polak was quoted again stating that “It is clear that INTERPOL is not considering requests in enough detail and is taking requests from undemocratic states at face value, without properly considering their motives.”
The article also drew attention to the comments of Lyudmyla Kozlovska, the President of the Open Dialogue Foundation where she pointed out that there is at least one criterion that allows individuals to be removed from the list in six months or less. Azcoiti commented on this and noted that Mr Polak has successfully drafted requests to remove his clients from the list when they have been added incorrectly.
Mr Polak is available to assist with applications to remove INTERPOL Red Notices and to provide help and assistance with other international law matters. He can be instructed by contacting contact@justiceabroad.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Justice Abroad, www.justiceabroad.co.uk has been set up to help those trying to find their way through foreign justice systems with all the associated hurdles that presents, to represent those facing gross breaches of their human rights no matter where this takes place, and to advise and assist the victims of crimes as to how to achieve justice.
Justice Abroad, run by international lawyer Michael Polak, has assembled a team of top investigators, lawyers, and support staff to provide unparalleled support, advice and guidance, legal, advocacy, and investigatory service for your Justice Abroad issues anywhere in the world. The Justice Abroad team with their trusted international pool of experts, their networks, and media contacts and their well-documented determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth and justice are here to provide that much needed support for families and individuals in their time of need.