By Chou Yew-woei
Commissioner
Criminal Investigation Bureau
in 1923, INTERPOL is the world’s second-largest international organization after the United Nations, with 196 member states. It serves as a critical platform for global law enforcement cooperation, monitoring transnational criminal activities—such as terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime—and facilitating information exchange through its network of National Central Bureaus.
Despite INTERPOL’s mandate to promote the broadest possible cooperation among global police authorities, Taiwan has been excluded from the organization for more than four decades due to political considerations.
A Capable Law Enforcement Partner Kept Outside the System
Taiwan’s law enforcement agencies have long demonstrated professionalism and effectiveness in areas such as drug interdiction, cyberfraud prevention, and public safety management. These accomplishments have earned Taiwan strong international recognition.
Yet, without access to INTERPOL databases and events, Taiwan remains unable to exchange intelligence in real time. This creates blind spots in international policing, encourages criminal networks to expand their cross-border operations, and weakens security not only for Taiwan but for the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
As globalization accelerates the spread of crime, illicit activities—from human trafficking to cybercrime—can quickly traverse borders. No single country can address these threats alone. In today’s interconnected security environment, the world needs a seamless and inclusive global safety network. Enabling Taiwan’s meaningful participation in INTERPOL would strengthen joint efforts to protect public safety and maintain international stability.
Taiwan’s Proven Strength in Combating Crimes
Numbeo’s global safety rankings place Taiwan fourth among 147 countries. This standing reflects Taiwan’s low crime rate, strong community policing, and effective law-enforcement systems. With just over 1,200 reported incidents per 100,000 people and a homicide rate of 2.3 per 100,000—well below global averages—Taiwan has become a model for policymakers worldwide and a safe destination for international travelers.
As a responsible global stakeholder, Taiwan stands ready to contribute fully to the fight against transnational crime and to cooperate closely with partner countries in protecting lives and property.
A Critical Gap in the Global Security Network
Taiwan has a strong track record of addressing telecom fraud, drug trafficking, and illegal practices in the fisheries sector, including identifying vessels involved in human trafficking, forced labor, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
However, without access to INTERPOL’s I-24/7 global police communications system, Taiwan cannot promptly share critical intelligence or participate in coordinated investigations. Such delays can hinder evidence collection, allow suspects to escape, and exacerbate the suffering of victims. This gap in global security should be a concern for all countries.
A Trusted and Experienced Partner in International Crime-Fighting
Transnational syndicates have expanded rapidly in recent years, operating major scam networks in Southeast Asia that lure victims from around the world with false promises of jobs or travel. Many victims are coerced into carrying out financial crimes or suffer severe exploitation, including sexual abuse and forced organ harvesting.
An INTERPOL crime trend update released on June 30 highlighted the alarming globalization of human-trafficking-driven scam centers, noting that victims from 66 countries across five continents have been trapped in these operations, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Taiwan has demonstrated its capability to disrupt such criminal networks. In 2024, Taiwanese authorities dismantled the “Creative Private Room,” an online platform used for the large-scale distribution of child sexual exploitation material. The operation involved encrypted communication channels, anonymous networks, cryptocurrency laundering, and cross-border coordination—including a ringleader based in China. This complex case showcased Taiwan’s determination, expertise, and readiness to collaborate internationally to combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable victims.
Rising Global Voices Supporting Taiwan’s Inclusion
In an opinion piece published on September 5, Dr. John Coyne of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute stressed that Taiwan is an essential and highly capable partner in the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that Taiwan’s strategic infrastructure—ports, airports, and financial systems—makes it a prime target for transnational crime. Excluding Taiwan from INTERPOL, he argued, slows intelligence sharing and impedes joint enforcement efforts.
As the world faces an escalating wave of transnational criminal activity, deeper cooperation and faster intelligence exchange are indispensable. For these reasons, we call on all countries to support Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer in the INTERPOL General Assembly and to allow its meaningful involvement in INTERPOL’s mechanisms, meetings, and activities. Ensuring Taiwan’s inclusion will strengthen global policing and help build a safer international community.
Taiwan remains committed to enhancing communication and cooperation with partners around the world and to working collectively to combat transnational crime.