HomeInterpol Member Countries
The Interpol network covers almost the entire world, and this is both its strength and its potential risks. As of today, the organization includes 196 countries, making Interpol the largest international police network. Thanks to this coverage, a notice initiated by one country can lead to an arrest in another, even if there is no direct extradition agreement between the states. This is why it is critically important to act quickly and with legal support.
Our team of lawyers specializes in protecting clients from unlawful notices and abuses of Interpol mechanisms. We analyze each case, prepare appeals to the CCF Commission, and support the client anywhere in the world. If you have become the target of international prosecution through Interpol—contact us today. We will help restore your freedom of movement and protect your rights on a global level.
What is Interpol?
Interpol is an international criminal police organization, whose main task is to coordinate the cooperation of law enforcement agencies from different countries in combating international crime. Interpol unites the efforts of 196 member states, making it the largest police network in the world.
Interpol was founded in 1923 in Vienna under the name International Criminal Police Commission. After World War II, in 1946, the headquarters was moved to Paris, and later to Lyon, France, where it remains to this day. In 1956, the organization officially changed its name to “Interpol.” Over decades of its activity, Interpol has become a key player in the fight against transnational crime.
The main goal of Interpol is to support and coordinate international police cooperation, especially in situations where crimes affect more than one jurisdiction. Among the key tasks:
- Exchange of operational information between law enforcement agencies;
- Support for investigations of crimes of an international nature;
- Administration of international notification systems (including Red Notice);
- Providing access to global databases on criminals, terrorists, stolen objects, etc.
Interpol is managed through several main bodies:
- The General Assembly is the highest body, which includes representatives of all member states. It meets annually and makes key decisions.
- The Executive Committee controls the implementation of the decisions of the General Assembly and provides guidance between sessions.
- The General Secretariat – carries out daily management and coordination. Located in Lyon and headed by the Secretary General.
- National Central Bureaus (NCBs) exist in each member country and ensure communication between Interpol and local law enforcement agencies.
Interpol does not have the authority to arrest individuals or conduct operational activities on the territory of states—it only provides coordination and support to local law enforcement agencies. Its success directly depends on conscientious and lawful cooperation between countries.
Membership in Interpol
Membership in Interpol provides countries with access to powerful tools: from global databases to the notification system and a secure information exchange network. However, it also imposes certain obligations on participants: maintaining a National Central Bureau, adhering to the organization’s Charter, and respecting the principles of neutrality, including the inadmissibility of political persecution.
Number of participating countries
As of today, Interpol unites 196 member countries, making it the largest international police organization in the world. The list of participants includes almost all recognized states:
- Europe — 50+ countries (including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Poland, etc.);
- Asia – 40+ countries (China, India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kazakhstan, etc.);
- Africa – more than 50 countries (Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, etc.);
- America — about 35 countries (USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, etc.);
- Oceania — 10+ countries (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, etc.);
- Special territories — for example, Gibraltar as a British overseas territory.
Interpol regularly updates the list of participants, publishing information on the official website. The latest additions include South Sudan, which became the 194th member state, as well as Palau and Tuvalu.
Criteria for admission and the accession process
The process of joining Interpol is structured and officially regulated by the organization’s Constitution. To become a member country, a state must:
- Submit an official statement to the General Secretariat of Interpol;
- Create a National Central Bureau — a structure responsible for interaction with Interpol on behalf of the state;
- To agree with the Statute of Interpol, including the provisions of Article 3, which prohibits interference in matters of a political, military, religious, or racial nature;
- Obtain approval from the General Assembly of Interpol, which is decided by a vote of member countries. The decision is made by a simple majority.
After approval, the state gains access to all mechanisms and systems of Interpol, including the secure I-24/7 network, global databases, and the right to issue notices.
Despite the transparency of the procedure, there are a number of factors that may hinder a country’s accession to Interpol. The first and most significant circumstance is political disputes and international non-recognition. States with limited recognition (Kosovo and Taiwan) face protests from several member countries, which complicates their admission.
Another significant reason is the legal and institutional unpreparedness, particularly if the state lacks a national body capable of ensuring the fulfillment of obligations to Interpol.
It is important to note that Interpol maintains the status of a neutral and apolitical organization, and any potential disputes during the accession process are resolved at the level of the General Assembly, taking into account the consensus of member countries.
Despite the high requirements, membership in Interpol continues to expand. For example, South Sudan became the 194th member country of Interpol in 2018. Despite political instability, the state managed to meet the conditions for joining, which became an important step in combating transnational crime in the region.
Palau and Tuvalu, two island nations in Oceania, joined Interpol in 2021. Solomon Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe have also recently been included as members, demonstrating the interest of developing countries in strengthening law enforcement cooperation.
Responsibilities of member countries and their interaction with Interpol
Interpol is not a supranational law enforcement body but a platform for cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of member states. The effectiveness of this platform depends on the good faith fulfillment of obligations by countries and a well-functioning mechanism of interaction.
Each state undertakes to comply with the provisions of the Charter of the organization:
- The creation of the NCB is a contact point through which the country interacts with the General Secretariat and other countries.
- Participation in information exchange — states are obligated to share relevant data about wanted persons, stolen property, security threats, etc.
- Adherence to neutrality — members of Interpol cannot use the system for persecution based on political, religious, racial, or military motives.
- Operational response to requests: countries must process and respond to requests for detention, verification, or information exchange.
- Participation in training and organized conferences to enhance collaboration efficiency and exchange of best practices.
The key tool for interaction between countries is the secure global telecommunications network I-24/7, through which INTERPOL members can send and receive notifications about wanted persons and objects, check information in international databases (on stolen documents, vehicles, or biometric data), promptly send Diffusions—informal notifications to specific countries, receive alerts about international threats, and coordinate actions in real-time. Each member country is required to ensure the 24/7 operation of its NCB and the prompt processing of incoming requests.
The Interpol system has proven its effectiveness in numerous high-profile cases. For example, in 2021, Fernando Alberto Mendez, a former official from Paraguay accused of a major corruption scheme, was detained in Argentina under an Interpol red notice. Argentina extradited him upon request. A joint operation conducted by Interpol together with 29 countries, Infra-Hellas (2022), resulted in more than 100 arrests of individuals wanted for serious crimes, including murder, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.
National Central Bureaus (NCB)
The National Central Bureau is the official office of Interpol, established in each member country of the organization. It is managed by national law enforcement agencies (most often the Ministry of Internal Affairs, police, or prosecutor’s office) and serves as the main contact point between Interpol and local structures.
Although the NCB is part of Interpol’s structure, it operates within the national legislation of the country in which it is located. This means that each bureau adheres to its own legal norms but must comply with the principles and rules of Interpol’s Constitution.
NCBs perform critically important functions in international cooperation:
- Exchange of information — receiving and transmitting notifications, extradition requests, data on suspects and wanted persons.
- Access to international databases — including biometric data, information about missing persons, stolen vehicles, and documents.
- Coordination of international operations — participation in special operations under the aegis of Interpol, exchange of data on transnational cases (terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime).
- Verification of requests — NCB evaluates incoming requests from other countries for their compliance with local legislation before forwarding them to national authorities.
- Participation in international events — bureaus send delegates to meetings, training sessions, and conferences organized by Interpol.
NCBs operate 24/7, ensuring constant readiness to respond to international requests. NCBs cooperate directly with each other and through the General Secretariat. Information exchange is carried out via the secure telecommunications network I-24/7, which allows countries to send requests for the detention of suspects, check border crossings and movements of wanted persons, make urgent requests for identification and information verification, notify about international threats or special operations.
Interpol in UAE and Dubai
The United Arab Emirates are playing an increasingly prominent role in the international law enforcement system, actively cooperating with Interpol on issues of extradition, combating transnational crime, and exchanging operational information. Thanks to their geographical location and economic openness, the UAE has become not only an important international hub for business but also one of Interpol’s key partners in the Middle East region.
On the territory of the UAE, the National Central Bureau of Interpol in Abu Dhabi operates under the management of the Ministry of Interior. Through this bureau, the country participates in the global system of data and notification exchange, including Red Notices, Diffusions, and other forms of international requests. In addition to information exchange, the UAE actively participates in coordinating operations aimed at combating terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking, and cybercrime.
In Dubai, numerous international forums and conferences are also held, organized with the participation of Interpol, which indicates the country’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships in the field of security. At the same time, the authorities of the Emirates are known for their prompt response to international requests and a high level of legal processing of cases involving suspects wanted through Interpol.
The role of the UAE in Interpol and the level of cooperation
The United Arab Emirates actively participates in international operations under the aegis of Interpol. In recent years, the country has taken part in global initiatives such as Operation “Lions” to combat drug trafficking and “First Light” against transnational fraud. Through its NCB in Abu Dhabi, the UAE exchanges data with other countries 24/7, engages in asset tracing, arrests under international warrants, and monitors suspects within the framework of Red Notice.
Moreover, the UAE is actively developing cooperation with other countries of the Persian Gulf and the West. For example, in 2021, the country supported an Interpol initiative to create a specialized platform for tracking transnational criminal networks and co-organized regional training sessions on combating money laundering. As part of such initiatives, Emirati authorities have repeatedly detained individuals wanted by other states, initiated deportations or extraditions in accordance with international agreements.
The impact of membership on extradition and international investigations
Membership in Interpol has a direct impact on the UAE’s legal policy in the field of extradition. The Emirates exchange information received from other countries on Red Notices and carry out arrests of suspects based on these notices. However, unlike an arrest warrant, a Red Notice is not an automatic basis for extradition: the authorities conduct a legal analysis, taking into account human rights compliance, political motives, and the principle of dual criminality.
Extradition procedures in the UAE are regulated by Federal Law No. 39 of 2006, which outlines the conditions under which the extradition of suspects and convicted individuals is permitted. In addition, the UAE has concluded more than 30 bilateral extradition treaties, including agreements with France, India, the United Kingdom, the USA, and other countries. Membership in Interpol facilitates these processes through the rapid exchange of notifications, requests, and evidence, as well as enhancing the transparency of international investigations.
Red Notices and their application
Red Notice is an official request for the search of a person, placed in the international police system at the request of one of the member countries. It is intended so that other countries can detain the person for subsequent extradition. According to Interpol’s definition, a Red Notice represents “a request to locate and provisionally arrest a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.”
It is important to understand that it does not have the legal force of an international arrest warrant. It is merely a form of notification that must be supported by the internal legal mechanisms of the country where the individual is located.
Member countries of Interpol can initiate a request for a red notice through their NCB. After submitting the request, the General Secretariat in Lyon conducts a legal review to ensure compliance with the organization’s constitution. If approved, the notice can either be public (through the Interpol website) or remain confidential. It contains the following information:
- Full personal data of the individual;
- Photos and description of appearance;
- Indication of the crime for which a search has been declared;
- Threat level and precautionary measure;
- Case status (accusation, verdict, etc.);
- Request for temporary detention for extradition.
After receiving a red notice, the law enforcement agencies of the UAE can detain the suspect, but an official request from the state that issued the notice is required to initiate the extradition procedure. The case is then reviewed by UAE courts, which assess compliance with the following criteria:
- The presence of a bilateral or multilateral extradition agreement;
- The absence of political or religious motive;
- The principle of double criminality (the act must be criminally punishable in both countries);
- Guarantees of human rights observance.
If sufficient grounds are present, a person may be extradited to the requesting country. However, there are also controversial cases in practice.
Despite legal guarantees, in a number of cases, the use of red notices in the UAE has drawn criticism from human rights advocates and international observers. One of the most discussed aspects has been the alleged use of notices to pressure businessmen and political opponents.
For example, there have been recorded cases where individuals accused in financial disputes within the territories of the Gulf states ended up in the Interpol database under the designation “fraud,” even if it was a civil-law conflict. Such notifications led to detentions at airports in third countries, freezing of bank accounts, and other serious consequences.
The mechanism for appealing such notifications exists—through the CCF Commission, but this process is lengthy and non-transparent, which creates a risk of abuse. That is why international legal experts are calling for stricter verification of notifications and the strengthening of legal safeguards to protect individuals from politically motivated persecution.
Which Countries Are Not Interpol Members
At the moment, the following UN-recognized states are not members of Interpol:
- North Korea (DPRK) is the most well-known country outside the Interpol system. The reasons for not joining include political isolation, UN sanctions, and the lack of stable diplomatic channels with most countries in the world.
- The Vatican (Holy See) — despite being recognized as a sovereign subject of international law, the Vatican is not a full member of Interpol but maintains contact channels with a number of countries.
- Western Sahara is a territory not recognized as a state by the majority of UN member countries, including its absence from the Interpol list.
- Palau
- Tuvalu
Partially recognized states and unrecognized territories, such as Kosovo, Taiwan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Palestine (despite its UN observer status, Palestine is not a member of Interpol), are not admitted to Interpol. Reasons for refusal of membership include lack of UN recognition, political instability, sanctions, or insufficient integration into the international legal system.
Consequences of not being a member of Interpol: limited access to international databases (wanted persons, documents, weapons, biometrics), inability to issue notices, restricted channels of cooperation with other countries in cases of transnational crime, terrorism, cybercrime, and human trafficking, difficulties in extradition and evidence transfer, especially in cases requiring rapid information exchange. In some instances, such states resort to bilateral agreements, diplomatic channels, or interaction through third countries, but this does not replace full-fledged work through Interpol mechanisms.
