Country Profiles: Interpol Abuse, Arrests and Extradition
Bahrain
While signing the Abraham Accords was certainly a progressive step for Bahrain, visitors should be aware that the country is still profoundly oppressive. Police often act with impunity and the judiciary lacks meaningful independence.
Canada
The US and Canada will generally err on the side of deportation where a Red Notice is active and it will be the job of the immigration attorney to persuade them otherwise.
China
China's use of the Interpol system has been a subject of concern and scrutiny, with reports and investigations highlighting potential abuses and misuse of Interpol's tools, particularly Red Notices. Red Notices are alerts issued to seek the arrest and extradition of individuals wanted by national jurisdictions. China's use of Red Notices has raised questions about the potential for politically motivated targeting and human rights abuses.
Egypt
"Egyptian prisons are infamous for their inhumane treatment of prisoners, and documented instances of torture and abuse are disturbingly common. At a time when Egypt is actively seeking, and very badly needs, support for its tourism sector, it may seem shocking that a Western visitor could be subjected to such outrageous actions by the police; however, foreign nationals must bear in mind that Egypt has largely become a police state over the past 7 years, with a dramatic spike in rates of incarceration, mass trials, deaths in custody, and an erosion of judicial independence. Civil rights and basic freedoms have been increasingly curtailed and democratic norms simply do not apply in the country. " Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of Detained in Dubai
Greece
A number of Greek holidays have turned to nightmares, with lengthy imprisonment without bail pending extradition hearings.
Iran
Iran's oppressive regime has the ability to list political opponents on Interpol with the click of a button. They even suggested listing Trump on the database.
Italy
Italian police have dramatically circled wanted persons at restaurants & other public places, detained and forced them to undergo lengthy extradition proceedings that were all doomed to fail. Will they learn?
Kazakhstan
As a leading authority specializing in Interpol abuse and human rights violations, our institution maintains a vigilant watch over the unfolding developments in Kazakhstan, specifically focusing on the alarming misuse of Interpol's mechanisms. Kazakhstan's actions have raised serious concerns, primarily stemming from the perceived potential for politically motivated targeting and the violation of human rights associated with the improper utilization of Interpol's tools.
New Zealand
New Zealand has been cooperative with its allies, even where the extradition requests have been unfair.
Qatar
As an expert on Interpol abuse and human rights violations, Radha Stirling has always closely tracked the situation in Qatar regarding the misuse of Interpol's mechanisms. Qatar has been a subject of concern due to its potential for politically motivated targeting and human rights abuses associated with the misuse of Interpol's tools; as well as its abuse of the Red Notice system (like the UAE) for the purpose of debt collection.
Russia
Russia has been criticised for misusing the Interpol Red Notice system to target political opponents and dissidents. Russia has also acted as a desperately needed safety net for victims of Interpol Abuse initiated by other countries.
Saudi Arabia
KSA misuses the Interpol database for political or financially motivated vendettas. Saudi has extradited wanted persons, but also denied unfair requests from powerful allies like the United States.
South Korea
ROK has listed foreigners with little due process or evidence of crimes. Victims face Interpol Red Notices for simply being acquainted with a company or individual who is wanted. The Kingdom has redacted substantial segments of documentation when Interpol has sought evidence of wrongdoing. Their Notices have led to lengthy detentions for victims of Interpol abuse.
Spain
Spain's streamlined extradition process for non-citizens puts people at significant risk of arrest and deportation.
Thailand
It took high levels of diplomacy and an international campaign to protect Hakeem Al Araibi from extradition to Bahrain. Others haven't been so lucky.
Turkey
Turkey has turned a blind eye to Interpol Red Notices for a number of years, but things have changed.
UAE
UAE is a top abuser of Interpol Red Notices but also acts as a safe haven to some wanted persons. Extradition decisions from the UAE can be unpredictable.
USA
The US is one of the most active users of the Interpol database, often weaponizing the system. Does the US take other country's Red Notice's seriously when it comes to immigration visas or extradition?
United Kingdom
The UK has been increasingly misusing the Interpol database to seek to extradite persons wanted simply for "questioning". The UK has a complex precedent based system that has denied extraditions from countries like the UAE, but approved requests from many other countries, even where human rights violations are likely. Famously, the UK approved Julian Assange's extradition.