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What is Interpol?

The International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol, is the largest global structure uniting law enforcement agencies of 195 countries to jointly combat transnational crime. Founded in 1923, the organization serves as an international platform for information exchange, coordination of investigations, and providing technical support to national law enforcement agencies. Despite its wide scope and significance, Interpol does not have its own police forces — all actions are carried out through cooperation with the member countries’ law enforcement bodies. The main goal of Interpol is to enhance the effectiveness of international cooperation in the field of security and legality.

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1

Global Crime Coordination

Interpol enables countries to work together on investigations involving terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, and other transnational threats.

2

Real-Time Data Exchange

With advanced databases and secure communication systems, Interpol facilitates instant information sharing among member states.

3

Color-Coded Notices

Interpol issues notices such as Red (wanted persons), Yellow (missing persons), and Blue (locate and identify), helping streamline international alerts and actions.

4

Legal Framework and Neutrality

All actions must comply with international law and human rights standards — Interpol is strictly prohibited from intervening in political, military, religious, or racial matters.

5

Support, Not Enforcement

Interpol assists national authorities with tools, coordination, and expertise — but it does not arrest individuals or conduct investigations on its own.

Types of Interpol Notices

Interpol uses a system of colored notices, each having its own purpose and legal significance. The most important among them are:

Red Notice

an international request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate a person for the purpose of arrest and extradition. A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant but serves as a recommendation or alert. The decision to detain is made at the national level, taking local laws into account.

Yellow Notice

used to locate missing persons, including children, or individuals in need of assistance and protection. This notice helps gather information and coordinate efforts to find them.

Blue Notice

aimed at collecting information about a person’s location or activities who is of interest to the investigation. It helps identify, locate, and track suspects.

Green Notice

warns about persons who are considered a threat to security or have a criminal background, used for information exchange between countries about such individuals.

Purple Notice

intended to request information about particular methods of committing crimes or objects related to criminal cases.

Orange Notice

warns about potential threats, such as dangerous persons, objects, or situations that may affect public safety.

Rights and Obligations of Interpol Member Countries

Member countries commit to active cooperation, ensuring timely exchange of information and support in conducting international investigations. At the same time, they must strictly observe international standards, especially concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms. Interpol’s constitution explicitly prohibits the use of the organization for political, military, religious, or racial purposes, which serves as an important safeguard against abuse.

Each country independently decides on actions regarding Interpol notices within its territory, taking into account its own legislation. This means that international cooperation is built on principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and legality.

Legal Features and Protection of Human Rights

Despite the importance of international cooperation, serious challenges exist related to possible misuse of Interpol mechanisms. For example, Red Notices are sometimes used for political persecution or violations of individual rights. To combat such risks, the organization operates special committees and complaint review procedures that allow challenging unlawful notices.

Additionally, the extradition procedure and other international cooperation measures require strict compliance with human rights, including the right to a fair trial, protection from torture, and political persecution. Interpol seeks to balance effective crime fighting with respect for international legal norms.

Why is Interpol Important Today?

In a modern world where crimes increasingly have a transnational character, the International Criminal Police Organization plays a key role in ensuring global security. Coordination of actions, information exchange, and standardization of procedures significantly increase the effectiveness of combating crime, protecting citizens, and upholding the law.

Interpol is not just an international structure but a living mechanism that unites the efforts of almost two hundred countries to achieve a common goal: making the world safer and fairer.