Written statement on INTERPOL General Assembly - Dec 16

Minister for Crime and Policing (Kit Malthouse): INTERPOL’s 89^th General Assembly took place in Istanbul, Turkey between 23-25 November, during which elections took place for the role of INTERPOL President and membership of the Executive Committee.

The General Assembly voted to elect the UAE candidate, Major General Al-Raisi, as Interpol President for a period of four years, on a majority of 104 to 47. Voting was conducted in secret.

The UK candidate for election to the Executive Committee, Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr of Police Scotland, was also elected, and will take a seat alongside Turkey and Spain to represent the European region in INTERPOL for a period of 3 years. In addition, a UK lawyer, Ms Susie Alegre, was elected to the Requests Chamber of the Commission for the Control of Files (CCF).

INTERPOL remains a vital tool for UK law enforcement in tackling international crime worldwide and we will work with the newly elected Executive Committee to ensure that it continues to operate in accordance with its Constitution and with full respect for human rights obligations.