Seventy-one United States representatives have signed a joint letter urging the Joe Biden administration to assist Taiwan’s bid to join the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and participate as an observer in this year’s General Assembly meeting to be held next week.
The letter, a bipartisan effort led by Representatives John Curtis and Michael Guest from the Republican Party and Gerry Connolly from the Democratic Party, was addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Interpol Washington Director Michael Hughes on Nov. 9.
By participating in Interpol, Taiwan could work with the U.S. and other international allies in rooting out corruption and abuse of the Interpol system, read the letter, which was revealed in a press release issued Thursday by Curtis’ office.
“Taiwan’s lack of participation leaves a void in global crime-fighting efforts,” the lawmakers wrote, saying that it is forced to get second-hand information from friendly nations and is unable to effectively share information on criminals and suspicious activity with the international community.
In the letter, they also went on to highlight a number of legislation that have been signed into law that require the U.S. to develop strategies to assist Taiwan’s attempts to participate in Interpol as well as other international organizations.
These include a bill signed into law by then-President Barack Obama on March 18, 2016, and the TAIPEI Act, which was signed into law by then-President Donald Trump on March 26, 2020.
“The above-mentioned legislation clearly demonstrates Congressional intent to support strategies to gain meaningful Interpol participation, and ultimately membership, for Taiwan,” the letter read.
On Thursday, Curtis said in his statement that “this Administration [Joe Biden] needs to fulfill the intent laws passed by Congress, counter China’s influence, and make a strong push for Taiwan’s participation in Interpol ahead of the General Assembly meeting later this month.”
The continued lack of Taiwan’s membership in Interpol means there is a void in global crime-fighting efforts, he added.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel