Taiwan's participation in INTERPOL would allow countries to coordinate their efforts without obstacles, face common threats, and maintain security and public order.
Taiwan's strong capabilities in fighting crime According to the Numbeo world database, Taiwan ranks fourth in safety among 147 countries worldwide. This internationally recognized public safety record sets an important benchmark for law enforcement policy makers around the world and makes Taiwan an attractive destination for international travelers. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is willing to play a key role in fighting transnational crime, contributing to criminal investigations, and working with partner countries to protect people's security and property.
Supporting Taiwan to close the gap in the global security network Taiwan has been successful in combating telecommunications fraud, drug trafficking, and other cross-border crimes. It has achieved significant success in areas such as combating drug trafficking and cyber fraud, which has earned Taiwan a solid reputation in the international community. However, Taiwan cannot access INTERPOL's databases, participate in its events, or share information with other countries in real time.
The research highlighted Taiwan's determination and capacity to fight cybercrime, as well as its commitment and willingness to cooperate with the international community to protect children and combat transnational sexual exploitation.
Global call for Taiwan's substantive participation in INTERPOL In an article published on September 5, titled "Taiwan's Exclusion from INTERPOL Undermines Global Police Efforts," Dr. John Coyne of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that Taiwan is a major and capable partner in the Indo-Pacific region. In the fisheries sector, it has extensive experience in identifying vessels involved in human trafficking, forced labor, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. But without access to INTERPOL's I-24/7 global police communications system, Taiwan cannot share urgent information or join coordinated law enforcement efforts in real time.
The report highlighted that by March, people from 66 countries across five continents had been trafficked in such operations, with an estimated number of victims reaching hundreds of thousands. The Taiwan police have the experience, expertise, and capacity to help combat and prevent such crimes. Dr. Coyne stated that Taiwan's exclusion causes delays in intelligence sharing and detention efforts, limiting the effectiveness of joint international action. In the face of a growing epidemic of transnational crime, the international community must strengthen intelligence sharing and deepen alliances to improve cross-border law enforcement. However, for more than four decades, Taiwan has been unjustly excluded from the organization for political reasons. Taiwan's law enforcement forces have extensive experience and expertise in crime prevention, public safety, and international cooperation. This hinders Taiwan's ability to combat transnational crime, encourages criminals to expand their cross-border activities, and undermines the security of Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and the rest of the world. Globalization has accelerated the development of transnational crime. This should be recognized as a major cause for concern.
Taiwan is a reliable law enforcement partner for the world In recent years, fraud and other financial crimes have become increasingly transnational. Taiwan's absence undermines the international law enforcement framework and creates a significant gap in global security. The crime rate in Taiwan is just over 1,200 reported incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, with a homicide rate of 2.3 per 100,000, well below the world average. We urge all countries to support Taiwan's aspiration to participate as an observer at the INTERPOL General Assembly and for the substantive inclusion of Taiwan in its meetings, mechanisms, and activities, so that it can interact unimpeded alongside INTERPOL member states. Some are even sexually exploited, sold to other criminal groups, or trafficked for organ trafficking.
An updated report on crime trends published by INTERPOL on June 30 warned about the globalization of scam centers fueled by human trafficking.
Strengthening joint efforts to combat transnational crime through real-time intelligence sharing Chou Yew-woei Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Bureau November 17, 2025
Founded in 1923, INTERPOL is currently composed of 196 member countries, making it the second largest international organization after the United Nations. It closely monitors transnational criminal activity, including terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime, and exchanges with police agencies worldwide through its network of National Central Bureaus. INTERPOL's mandate is to ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance among all criminal police authorities. Taiwan remains committed to strengthening communications and cooperation with the world and working with the international community against transnational crime. This high position is due to its low crime rate, strong sense of community, effective law enforcement, and close citizen-police cooperation. Criminals and illicit assets can move quickly across borders, meaning that drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other illegal activities are not limited to individual countries or regions, but constitute challenges for the entire international community. As crime becomes increasingly globalized and sophisticated, it is imperative that the world's police forces work together to build a seamless and inclusive global security network. Greater international cooperation is needed to effectively combat cross-border illegal activity and safeguard global stability. Victims from around the world have been lured to the region with false promises of tourism and employment, only to be trapped in scam centers where they are forced to commit financial crimes. The case involved encrypted communications, anonymous networks, cryptocurrency laundering, and cross-border coordination—all key challenges the international community faces in combating online child abuse. He noted that its ports, airlines, and banking system are prime targets for transnational criminals. In 2024, Taiwan dismantled an online forum called "Creative Private Room" dedicated to the large-scale distribution of child sexual exploitation material. INTERPOL is an essential platform for worldwide law enforcement cooperation. Transnational scam networks have moved their operations to countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Delays in reporting can result in the loss of evidence, the inability to apprehend suspects, and unnecessary suffering for victims. This forum with over 5,000 members facilitated the distribution of such material through cryptocurrency payments to evade detection by law enforcement. The mastermind behind this platform, known online as Old Horse (Lao Ma), operated from China.
