(Dan Tri) – More than 40 parliamentarians from 20 countries have written a letter protesting the nomination of Mr. Hu Binchen by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security for a supervisory position at the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Mr. Hu Binchen was nominated for a position on Interpol’s executive committee (Photo: SMH).
Mr. Hu Binchen has been nominated as a candidate for Interpol’s 13-member executive committee.
The Committee meets regularly 3 times a year to set policies and directions for the organization’s activities.
More than 40 lawmakers from 20 countries opposed China’s candidacy, saying Mr. Hu’s nomination raised concerns about China’s efforts to enforce foreign laws.
Mr. Hu has worked at China’s Ministry of Public Security for more than two decades and is deputy head of the agency’s international cooperation department.
Mr. Hu’s nomination was made 3 years after Mr. Meng Hongwei, former Deputy Minister of Public Security of China and former Director of Interpol, suddenly `disappeared` during a visit to China.
China later confirmed the arrest of Mr. Manh and brought him to trial.
Mr. Manh’s wife has denied the accusations from China, claiming that her husband is a victim of a power struggle.
Reinhard Butikofer, a member of the European Parliament, said that during Meng Hongwei’s time in office, there were reports of him trying to change Interpol’s operations and give greater power to the executive committee.
A 2019 report by the Wall Street Journal said Mr. Manh tried to push for the position of president and executive committee of Interpol for greater power and budget.
Interpol has denied that members of its executive committee can influence the issuance or cancellation of red notices.
`As a global law enforcement organization, Interpol provides a neutral platform for police forces to work directly with their counterparts, even between countries with no diplomatic relations,`
Interpol holds databases containing millions of information including biometric records and details of stolen assets such as passports, vehicles and weapons.
Interpol also operates an international red flag system, in which countries compile the names of individuals who fled abroad before being captured.
Nick John