Our last post discussed the CCF’s scheduled sessions for 2024 and how more time may be necessary for the CCF to issue timely responses and make timely decisions. Today’s post will discuss INTERPOL’s previous reform efforts within the Commission and ways in which those efforts should continue. 

Reform Within the CCF

Although sometimes it may seem INTERPOL’s rules remain at a standstill, the organization is moving in the right direction. In 2017, the Commission adopted new rules governing the CCF. These rules included:

  •  A 9-month time limit for the CCF to respond to requests
  • The creation of the Commission’s two chambers: the Supervisory and Advisory Chamber, and the Request Chamber
  • The requirement of the Commission to “endeavor to make its decisions, opinions, recommendations, and reports public in all working languages of the Organization.”

These reforms were enacted in part due to requests made by INTERPOL practitioners and human rights organizations. As stated in the RNLJ series discussing the new rules at the time, Fair Trials International provided input that was instrumental in advocating for INTERPOL reform, and many of its recommendations made their way into the new statute.

These past INTERPOL reforms prove that individuals and organizations exposing the flaws of institutions like INTERPOL help an immeasurable amount of people. Those who are affected by the inadequacies of INTERPOL and organizations like it rely on people with the influence to bring about positive change. 

As always, thoughts and comments are welcomed.