In recent years, the Chinese government used Interpol's notices and diffusions to pursue Uyghurs—a Turkic ethnic group—abroad. China's growing influence in the world policing organization would only intensify this campaign. Interpol's red notices flag individuals for arrest and possible extradition in the name of ongoing judicial processes within a jurisdiction or a tribunal. While Interpol's constitution prohibits countries from using the organization and its resources for political purposes, the system has been abused by states seeking to silence dissent abroad. The number of red notices increased by more than 18 times in recent decades, from 737 in 1997 to 13,377 in 2019.
Chinese police have issued 200 or more red notices per year since 2014, and possibly as many as 612 in 2016 alone. Before, China issued around 30 red notices per year. This dramatic escalation aligns with China's increasing securitization and pursuit of dissidents and opposition figures abroad, including Uyghurs as part of its "people's war" on terror.
Chinese police have issued 200 or more red notices per year since 2014, and possibly as many as 612 in 2016 alone. Before, China issued around 30 red notices per year. This dramatic escalation aligns with China's increasing securitization and pursuit of dissidents and opposition figures abroad, including Uyghurs as part of its "people's war" on terror.
