Global: Misuse of Interpol red notices to target dissidents a grave institutional failure

27 January 2026

Reacting to media reports that states such as Russia, Türkiye and Tajikistan are extensively misusing Interpol red notices to target political dissidents and to repress human rights defenders, Erika Guevara Rosas Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns of Amnesty International said:

"Media reports that Interpol red notices are being extensively misused, without internal scrutiny, to target dissidents, critics and activists are deeply concerning. Amnesty International, UN experts and other organizations have raised concerns about states' misuse of international policing mechanisms for political purposes, and has documented instances of governments engaging in transnational repression of human rights defenders.

"Red notices should never be used for political purposes and Interpol must be willing to suspend states who misuse their processes."

"Red notices should never be used for political purposes and Interpol must be willing to suspend states who misuse their processes. These reports must be urgently and independently investigated.

"Interpol's failure to sanction or even challenge the states repeatedly involved in these practices casts doubt over its credibility as an institution. Interpol must strive for far greater transparency. The fact that these failures only came to light through a whistleblower is a damning indictment of its organizational culture. It is time for Interpol to clean up its act and to stop serving states' political interests."

Background

On 26 January 2026 BBC World Service and Disclose revealed the extent of states' apparent abuse of Interpol's wanted lists to target dissidents, critics and activists abroad. According to the media outlets' analysis of thousands of files provided by a whistleblower, Interpol's own independent complaints unit received more complaints about Russia than any other state. These complaints, generally coming from people who were targeted, led to more Russian cases being overturned than for any other country.

Interpol red notices are requests to worldwide law enforcement bodies to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. Interpol's constitution expressly states that the organization cannot be used 'to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character'.

Amnesty has documented the misuse of these notices for political purposes and called on states and Interpol to apply greater scrutiny to politically motivated requests. Amnesty International will continue to campaign against the misuse of international policing mechanisms and for the protection of people at risk of human rights violations.

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