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UAE general unsuitable for role of Interpol chief, says UK report
Source: The Guardian
UAE general unsuitable for role of Interpol chief, says UK report
Election of Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi would serve to validate UAE’s record on human rights, ex-prosecutor says
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
Wed 7 Apr 2021 14.38 BST
An Emirati general linked to human rights abuses is unsuited to head Interpol and his possible appointment may be seen as a “reward” for donations to the agency, according to a report by the UK’s former director of public prosecutions.
The process of electing a president of Interpol, which is due to happen later this year, is “shrouded in secrecy and opaque”, Sir David Calvert-Smith wrote.
“Not only would an Emirati president of Interpol serve to validate and endorse the [United Arab Emirates’] record on human rights and criminal justice but, in addition, Maj Gen [Ahmed Naser] Al-Raisi is unsuitable for the role,” he wrote. “He sits at the very top of the Emirati criminal justice system. He has overseen an increased crackdown on dissent, continued torture, and abuses in its criminal justice system.”
Raisi has not formally announced his candidacy, although he is widely believed to be running.
Allegations in the report represent a dilemma for the UK government since it is politically close to the UAE and has refused to say whether it believes Raisi is a suitable candidate to head Interpol, the body responsible for issuing international arrest warrants.
-snip-
Election of Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi would serve to validate UAE’s record on human rights, ex-prosecutor says
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
Wed 7 Apr 2021 14.38 BST
An Emirati general linked to human rights abuses is unsuited to head Interpol and his possible appointment may be seen as a “reward” for donations to the agency, according to a report by the UK’s former director of public prosecutions.
The process of electing a president of Interpol, which is due to happen later this year, is “shrouded in secrecy and opaque”, Sir David Calvert-Smith wrote.
“Not only would an Emirati president of Interpol serve to validate and endorse the [United Arab Emirates’] record on human rights and criminal justice but, in addition, Maj Gen [Ahmed Naser] Al-Raisi is unsuitable for the role,” he wrote. “He sits at the very top of the Emirati criminal justice system. He has overseen an increased crackdown on dissent, continued torture, and abuses in its criminal justice system.”
Raisi has not formally announced his candidacy, although he is widely believed to be running.
Allegations in the report represent a dilemma for the UK government since it is politically close to the UAE and has refused to say whether it believes Raisi is a suitable candidate to head Interpol, the body responsible for issuing international arrest warrants.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2021/apr/07/uae-general-unsuitable-for-role-of-interpol-chief-says-uk-report
