Taiwan calls for inclusion in INTERPOL to strengthen global fight against transnational crime

Taiwan has renewed its call for substantive participation in INTERPOL, warning that its continued exclusion from the global policing body undermines international efforts to combat transnational crime.

INTERPOL, founded in 1923, currently has 196 member states and serves as a key platform for global law enforcement cooperation. It facilitates real-time intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, and organised crime. However, Taiwan has been excluded from the organisation for more than four decades due to political reasons.

According to Taiwanese authorities, this exclusion prevents Taiwan from accessing INTERPOL’s databases, participating in operational meetings, and sharing urgent intelligence through the organisation’s I-24/7 communication system. Officials argue that this creates a significant gap in the global security network, allowing criminals to exploit jurisdictional blind spots.

Taiwan’s law enforcement agencies say they possess extensive experience in combating drug smuggling, cyber fraud, financial crimes, and human trafficking. Taiwan consistently ranks among the safest countries globally, with low crime rates and strong cooperation between police and communities. Despite this, its inability to participate fully in INTERPOL mechanisms has limited its capacity to contribute to international investigations in real time.

The growing globalisation of crime has heightened these concerns. Criminal syndicates increasingly operate across borders, moving illicit assets, victims, and digital infrastructure rapidly between jurisdictions. Recent INTERPOL assessments have highlighted the expansion of scam centres and human trafficking networks across Southeast Asia, affecting victims from dozens of countries worldwide.

Taiwanese police have been involved in several complex investigations addressing these threats, including dismantling large-scale cybercrime networks and tackling online child sexual exploitation. Officials say these cases demonstrate Taiwan’s technical capability and willingness to cooperate internationally, despite existing barriers to formal engagement.

Security experts have also raised concerns about Taiwan’s exclusion. Analysts argue that its strategic location, busy ports, aviation hubs, and financial systems make it a key node in regional and global security efforts. Delays in intelligence sharing, they say, weaken collective responses to rapidly evolving criminal activity.

Taiwan has urged the international community to support its participation as an observer in the INTERPOL General Assembly and to allow meaningful engagement in INTERPOL meetings and activities. Officials maintain that inclusion would enhance global coordination, improve information flow, and strengthen collective capacity to combat transnational crime.

Taiwan has reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to safeguard public safety and contribute responsibly to global law enforcement cooperation.