Syria re-added to INTERPOL

INTERPOL membership gives Syria a powerful set of tools which could be used to pursue opposition figures and refugees worldwide. Syria re-added to INTERPOL’s communication network could open the door for harassment and abuse of opposition figures and refugees.

This allows the Syrian regime access to INTERPOL databases and to communicate with other INTERPOL members through the organization’s channels.

It also gives Damascus powerful new tools which it could use to pursue political dissidents across the globe, should it choose to do so.

In 2015, INTERPOL expressly announced that it will not help countries detain refugees and asylum seekers. However, if a red notice is listed for a refugee on the organization’s database, this can still lead to their arrest and harm their asylum applications.