The staunch support of diplomatic allies, like-minded countries and foreign media outlets for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in Interpol is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nov. 16.
Allies Belize, Honduras, Kingdom of Eswatini, Nicaragua, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have sent letters to Jurgen Stock, secretary general of the international police organization, calling for Taiwan’s inclusion, the MOFA said. Further backing from other allies is expected during Interpol’s General Assembly running through Nov. 21 in Dubai, the ministry added.
Public support for Taiwan’s participation was also expressed by the U.S. Departments of Justice and State, as well as members of Congress including Sen. Tom Cotton and Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, Ruben Gallego, Glenn Grothman, Sheila Jackson Lee, Hank Johnson, Kevin McCarthy and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
In the U.K., strong backing was voiced by officials including Lord Rogan, deputy speaker of the House of Lords, Nick Hurd, minister of state for policing and the fire service, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, minister of state for the Commonwealth and the U.N., and Nigel Evans, a member of the House of Commons.
Other like-minded partners have adopted similar stances, the MOFA said, citing recent media remarks by Thomas Prinz, director-general of the German Institute Taipei, and Jean-Francois Cesarini, a member of the French National Assembly, recognizing Taiwan’s role in international affairs and backing its Interpol bid.
The issue has garnered significant media attention around the world, with foreign outlets publishing more than 85 reports and commentaries on the matter, the ministry said. In addition, an article urging Taiwan’s Interpol participation by Tsai Tsan-po, commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of the Interior, has appeared in several prominent overseas publications including The European Business Review and U.S.-based magazine The National Interest.
According to the MOFA, the nation’s exclusion from Interpol is incompatible with the group’s mission of advancing international police collaboration. To ensure the integrity of the global crime-fighting network, it is vital that the organization formulates pragmatic and feasible arrangements for Taiwan to take part in its meetings and activities, the ministry said.
The MOFA added that it will continue to work closely with the National Police Agency under the MOI and other relevant government bodies to canvass additional overseas support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement.
Established in 1923 and headquartered in France, Interpol is the world’s second largest intergovernmental organization after the U.N. with 192 member states. It facilitates borderless police cooperation to enhance public safety and battles such criminal activities as corruption, human trafficking and money laundering. (SFC-E)