The arrest of Indian gangster Chhota Rajan in Bali, Indonesia on the orders of Interpol has set a precedent in international sharing of crime information and access to data as well as multi-lateral cooperation.
Up until now Interpol’s actions were limited because of there being little sanctity to mutual extradition treaties. These have gained some muscle mass in recent times thanks to the specter of global terrorism.
More nations are now understanding that the war against violence perpetuated by extremists can only be fought if it is recognised that there are no borders for them and that they kill indiscriminately. To fight back the ‘good guys’ have to play by the same rules and that is to melt the boundaries and come together as a defensive entity.
How nascent this all is against the backdrop of internecine wars, the cries in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, several parts of Africa and the nexus between organised crime and terrorism as we saw in India this cooperation is abysmally nascent. Look at the problems facing the movement of one man from Bali to India.
Not only is it the paperwork and the often rocky terrain of extradition that has to be navigated but the protection accorded the accused has to be hundred per cent. Power blocs with vested interests and guilt from past deeds may well be inclined to sabotage the journey and it becomes almost impossible with the eagle eye of the media on the case to ferry such an individual to his home country.
When Interpol meets in Kigali in Rwanda next week for the 84th session of top law enforcement officials from around the world, they will discuss ‘policing and security issues such as foreign terrorist fighters, border security, cybercrime, drug trafficking, corruption and asset recovery.’
They would do well to also streamline data exchange, honor their commitments collectively and unilaterally and be accountable if any member states are proven to give deliberate harbour and sanctuary to wanted criminals. While what Interpol achieves is laudable much more can be done but the global ‘cop’ can be only as effective as he is allowed to be. If the countries themselves duck their responsibilities there is very little Interpol can do.
With trafficking in humans taking precedence as an issue these days a fair amount of resources have also been exhausted by the refugee problem in Europe and the ‘sale’ of the destitute.
To stay abreast of technology Interpol now has a full fledged division to combat cyber crime but its most important and probably highest hurdle to overcome is transparency from its 190 members. What will make it most effective is if extradition becomes integral to all members rather than function on a one to one which it does, for all practical purposes.
At least like we do with disease there should be some voted onto a list that all members must accept as needing collective action against the perpetrators.
