Interpol Notices & Diffusions

As a major part of its work Interpol operates a system of notices which are circulated throughout its member states. 

The various notices that can be issued are outlined below:

• Purple Notice - To seek or provide information on methods used by criminals.
• Orange Notice - To warn of an event, a person, an object or a process representing a serious and imminent threat to public safety.
• Green Notice - To provide warnings and intelligence about persons who have committed criminal offences and who are likely to repeat these crimes in other countries.
• Black Notice - To seek information on unidentified bodies.
• Blue Notice - To collect additional information about a person's identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.
• Yellow Notice - To help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.
• Red Notice - To seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action.

United Nations Security Council Special Notice - To target groups and individuals who are the subject of UN Security Council Resolutions and are the subject of sanctions as designated by the Sanctions Committee.

Individuals are most frequently affected by Red Notices and diffusions. A Red Notice will severely restrict an affected person's ability to travel and do business. A person subject to such a notice is liable to be stopped and searched, arrested, refused entry to member states, deported or extradited.

Alongside Red Notices there is a more informal system of 'diffusions'. Member states are able to circulate 'diffusions' throughout the system without recourse to a formal Red Notice. A 'diffusion' can also lead to arrest without warning.

There has been a 60% spike in the number of Red Notices that have been issued since 2009. This is believed to be largely due to the introduction of the 'i-link' system. This enabled member states to enter a Red Notice directly onto Interpol's system themselves without first applying to Interpol.

A recent report by Fair Trials International, to which Gherson contributed, concluded that the Interpol system was being regularly abused and proposed a series of reforms.

Gherson are acknowledged in the Fair Trials report. Many firms now offer to 'remove' Red Notices. Whilst it is possible to make representations to Interpol regarding a Red Notice, the process is complex and time-consuming and on occasion may not be the best strategy. For instance removing a Red Notice is not an automatic bar to being detained and arrested and sometimes gives an individual a false sense of security.

Anyone who is, or fears that they may be, subject to an Interpol Red Notice or diffusion should take careful advice before embarking on any course of action. It is important to think globally. 

Gherson are able to offer a complete package of advice in-house covering both extradition and asylum and immigration. Please contact us for more information.