Washington: United States House of Representatives members have proposed a bill that requires the U.S. secretary of state to develop a strategic approach to secure Taiwan’s membership in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
According to Focus Taiwan, led by Republican Lance Gooden, the “Taiwan Interpol Endorsement and Inclusion Act” is co-sponsored by lawmakers across party lines including Democrats Brad Sherman and Ted Lieu, and Republicans Pete Sessions and Tom Tiffany. This initiative is detailed in a statement released by Gooden.
The lawmakers argued that it was a strategic necessity to include Taiwan in international crime-fighting efforts amid ongoing global threats and the practical drawbacks that Taiwan faces due to being excluded from full membership in Interpol. Gooden emphasized that Taiwan’s global crime-fighting capabilities are deserving of full membership in Interpol. He stated that Taiwan’s inclusion would fill a gap in the global security network and reinforce the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation.
The proposed bill mandates that the secretary of state, within 90 days of its passage, collaborates with Interpol Washington and reports to Congress on a strategy to support Taiwan’s bid for observer or membership status in appropriate international organizations. Taiwan has been excluded from Interpol since China’s admission as a member in 1984, despite continued requests to participate in the Interpol General Assembly as an observer.
