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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Dear INTERPOL Delegates,
My name is Christopher Chiasson, I am a 3rd year University of Toronto student
studying Political Science, and it’s my pleasure to be directing the INTERPOL Committee at
UTMUN this year. So far, the entirety of my Model UN career has been on the other side of
the gavel as a delegate. I am so excited to lead you through a substantial discussion on
global policing policy. I am joined by a formidable dias, comprised of our moderator, Sunni
Bean, and our two Vice-Directors, Meghan Henderson and Rachel Nguyen. We applaud each
and every one of the delegates involved for their research and hard work they put into
preparing for this committee.
It is 2018 and INTERPOL has convened a special Working Group comprised of select
member states to discuss contemporary global policing issues. The Working Group will
debate three topics: Cybercrime, Terrorism, and Human Trafficking. Note that INTERPOL
does not have significant operational authority – that is, they don’t operate independently –
rather, INTERPOL acts as a network between member-states for information sharing and
cooperation. Moreover, INTERPOL is a neutral organization that does not act on events of a
political, military, ethnic or religious nature.
As delegates, you should focus debate on the best current policing strategies to
address each topic. Examine your countries’ police organizations and their approaches to
each issue. Each resolution should ideally consist of: a recognition of the global problem; a
list of recommended strategies that countries can adopt to address each issue; and, a list of
recommended actions INTERPOL should undertake.
Should you have any questions about the committee structure, research, or the
conference, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Chris Chiasson
Director of INTERPOL, Specialized Committees
[Link]@[Link]
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
AN INTRODUCTION TO INTERPOL:
The International Policing Body, commonly referred to as INTERPOL, was founded
in 1923 as a body to address crimes of an international perspective. While policing bodies
would regularly cooperate before this time, there was not an official framework at this
scale. The objectives of INTERPOL are best laid out in Articles 2 and 3 of the organisation’s
constitution:
Article II
Its aims are: (1) To ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance
between all criminal police authorities within the limits of the laws existing in the
different countries and in the spirit of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”;
(2) To establish and develop all institutions likely to contribute effectively to the
prevention and suppression of ordinary law crimes.
Article III
It is strictly forbidden for the Organization to undertake any intervention or
activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.
While media has regularly portrayed INTERPOL as a policing body itself, this is false.
The organization has no agents, and lacks any jurisdiction in enforcing laws anywhere.
Instead, the organization serves to coordinate policing efforts between local bodies. If for
instance, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service tracked a person of interest to
Germany, they may lack the language skills or logistical knowledge to continue the
investigation. INTERPOL serves to coordinate the efforts of international bodies so that
investigations can continued across these informational divides.
I-24/7 Database:
Central to INTERPOL is its I-24/7 database system. This highly encrypted network
allows all member policing bodies to access the criminal databases of other member
bodies. This allows domestic forces to easily develop an understanding of criminals and
their histories in other nations.
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS):
Interpol promotes the standardized collection of criminal fingerprints to help
identify and target potential people of interest. Interpol’s AFIS collects and centralizes
fingerprint data and facilitates the transmission of data upon request.1
ASF Stolen/Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) Database:
In order to reduce the efficacy of using stolen travel documents globally, Interpol
hosts a server containing the information of invalidated identification documents. The
1Ramadhan Putra, “Interpol Best Practices in Combating Terrorism,” United Nations Security
Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, accessed December 2, 2017,
[Link]
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database helps field officers with innumerable cases of fraudulent travel documents. As of
August 2006, the database contains almost 12 million records.2
Operations:
INTERPOL has also served to coordinate operations to take down global criminal
operations. INTERPOL’s capacity to allocate resources and provide coordinated, consistent
communication across policing institutions allows such operations to be swiftly organized
and put in motion. This coordination would be more difficult – if not impossible – without
such an existing organization. Examples of such operations are discussed in the topic
breakdowns.
Notice System:
A set of notices has been developed to be shared between policing bodies to share
information. There are 8 notices in total, 7 colour-coded, which serve to inform the
international community of information regarding criminal activity. Any member country
may request to have a notice published on INTERPOL’s internal website (only accessible to
authorities). The governing body of INTERPOL will then publish said notice if it is found to
meet the principles of the organisation. The committee is recommended to use a
combination of some or all notices when finding solutions to the topics at hand.
Red Notice:
Perhaps the most controversial of notices within the framework, the red notice is
the closes thing to an international arrest warrant that may exist. The notice is used to
notify other policing bodies to immediately locate and arrest an individual, to be then
extradited to the country in which they are accused of a crime.
Blue Notice:
A blue notice will be published to request the location, identification, or further
information about a person of criminal interest.
Green Notice:
This notice is published to warn the international policing community about an
individual who may be deemed a threat to public safety.
Yellow Notice:
Published to request the identification of a person who fails to comply in identifying
themselves, or who is unable to identify themselves.
2
Putra.
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Black Notice:
Published to obtain information on unidentified bodies.
Orange Notice:
Published to warn of a person, place, or event that may be deemed a threat to public
safety.
Purple Notice:
Published to notify international bodies of certain methods, tactics, or locations in
which criminal activity may be occurring.
Interpol-United Nations Security Council Special Notice:
Used to inform the policing community that a given individual is under international
sanctions.
TOPIC ONE: TERRORISM:
Background:
Terrorism refers to any act of violence done in the hopes of achieving some political
or ideological end. The mere act of violence on a large scale or using extraordinary means is
not terrorism. For the classification to be met, the assailant’s motive must go beyond
personal gain or interest. The action must be taken to somehow affect society as a whole.
Terrorism can be organized into two types of threats, domestic terrorism and international
terrorism.
International Terrorism:
An act of international terrorism is a violent attack by an individual (or group) in an
area in which they are a non-resident. These figures will have travelled to their destination
with the express purpose of carrying out an act. Typically they are trained and encouraged
by some larger organisation in their home country.
The most notable instance attack of this nature were the September 11th , 2011
attacks in the United States.3 In a highly coordinated set of attacks, 19 men hijacked four
passenger airplanes. Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers in New York City, one
into the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. A passenger revolt against the hijackers on the fourth
plane resulted in in it being crashed into an empty field in Shanksville, PA. It is believed the
hijackers had intended to fly to Washington, DC, intending to strike either the White House
3
“The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks,” 11, accessed December 2, 2017,
[Link]
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
or the Capital Building. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,996, the injuries of over
6,000 and over $10 Billion in property damage.4
Radicalization:
The process by which violent radicalization occurs in an individual is a predictable
one. Most domestic terrorists experience a “lack of belonging or absence from society, the
person being ostracized and ridiculed”.5 Since al Qaeda’s 2001 attack on the United States,
homegrown radicalization has spread rapidly throughout the West, especially among
radical sects of Islam. Radicalization has precipitated attacks of “homegrown terrorism”
that is, attacks carried out independently of larger transnational terrorist organizations.
Through social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube radical groups
such as ISIS or Neo-Nazi organization easily spread information which encourages violent
acts and educates on “effective” methods.
Domestic Terrorism:
The term domestic terrorism (also referred to as home-grown terrorism) first gained
prominence following the July 7th, 2005 London City Bombings.6 In quick succession, three
bombs were detonated on the London Underground public transit system, a fourth bomb
was later detonated on a double decker bus in Tavistock Square. 52 people were killed and
a further 700 injured. The highly coordinated attack was the deadliest perpetrated on
English soil since the 1988 Lockerbie Bombing. The four assailants, aged 18 – 30, were UK
citizens, all but one born in the country. In pre-recorded video statements, the bombers
claimed allegiance to al-Queda, and voiced anti-western sentiments.
The 2005 London Bombings is one of the thousands of acts of terror that has been
committed in the past two decades. The post-9/11 world has been littered with countless
acts of politically motivated acts of violence. Initial attempts to address terrorism have
been to toughen border control and immigration. Governments sought to prevent the
admittance of potential terrorists into the country through increased security and
identification protocols. These methods have solely addressed the issue of foreign-born
terrorist threats.7
4
“National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States,” accessed December 2,
2017, [Link]
5
Alex S. Wilner and Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz, “Homegrown Terrorism and Transformative
Learning: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Radicalization,” Global Change,
Peace & Security 22, no. 1 (February 2010): 33–51,
[Link]
6
C. N. N. Library, “July 7 2005 London Bombings Fast Facts,” CNN, accessed December 2,
2017, [Link]
facts/[Link].
7
“7 July London Bombings: What Happened That Day? - BBC News,” accessed December 2,
2017, [Link]
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
The homegrown (or domestic) terrorist is defined as one who commits an act of
terror after living in the country for at least 5 years. The homegrown terrorist, is either born
in the country of question, or did not immigrate with the express intent of committing an
act of violence. The internet has marked a rise in homegrown terrorism as propaganda is
easily transmitted through social media. The politics, ideology, nation of any terrorist or
terrorist group is irrelevant. should focus on the methods in which one is radicalized, not
by the radical content.
The strategy of domestic terrorism has been effective for terrorist organizations due
to low cost, demoralization, and cultural division within targeted countries. Efforts to
curtail domestic terrorism have included increased domestic surveillance and online
suppression of terrorist propaganda and materials.
Interpol’s Role:
Interpol has a number of practices and procedures that enable local and
international police cooperation. Some policies are specific to the international level, while
others help both domestic and international procedures.
For instance, Interpol facilitates the Fusion Task Force (FTF). Established in
September 2002, the FTF lends expertise and specialized, multi-disciplinary personnel to
assist in identifying criminal terrorist activity. The FTF database contains names and
information on approximately 10,000 suspected terrorists. This centralization of data
allows for effective information sharing. The FTF also coordinates the warnings of potential
terrorist activities to any potentially threatened nation-state. The FTF, and by extension
Interpol, are often the warning bell for many terrorist activities.8
Moreover Interpol actively attempts to combat the financing of terrorism. Interpol
hosts the INTERPOL Money Laundering Automated Search System (IMLASS) which
centralizes records of financial terrorism. Banking records, suspected transactions and
potentially laundering schemes are marked, collated and disseminated to regional police
bodies. This system also facilitates pattern recognition of individual transactions across
multiple borders.9
INTERPOL’s role has been imperative in the challenging of international terrorism.
Working with domestic police forces of varying competency, INTERPOL works to provide
resources to areas that recently experienced a terrorist attack. For a country that may lack
8
Putra, “Interpol Best Practices in Combating Terrorism.”
9
Putra.
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a suitable investigative contingent, INTERPOL will dispense an Incident Response Team
(ICT).10 These highly specialized teams can assist in all manner of crime scene enquiry.
Border Security:
INTERPOL’s information sharing network has eased the efficiency in which
potentially harmful individuals can be identified attempting to enter a country.11 Using a
green notice, a police force can flag an individual as having potentially violent inclinations.
When this individual approaches a border and has their records checked, the green notice
will appear. Border security will be aware of the threat they present and refuse entry.
INTERPOL has further worked with governments to improve the sophistication of
their border security system. The Integrated Border Management Task Force (IBMTF) is
the central point-of-contact for countries wishing to improve their border security.12 The
IBMTF offers a suite of resources including information sharing service, on-site training,
and opportunities for transnational criminal coordination operations.
Interpol’s Role: Domestic Terrorism
Domestic terrorism, unlike other forms of terrorism is contained almost entirely
within one country, meaning the role of international bodies such as INTERPOL are limited.
In this case, the body serves to share information between domestic policing forces on how
best to approach an issue.
An attack contained in one country may still have global ramifications. Acts of
terrorism are extensively covered, and can serve as models for further attacks. Copycats
may seek to emulate an attack to receive the associated attention and infamy. Further the
response to an attack by a government can be an effective motivator itself. The War in Iraq,
a direct response to the 9/11 attacks inspired many Islamist attacks of terror for some
considered an unjust invasion.13
Further, consistent acts of terrorism within a country can result in an unsafe
environment for civilians, encouraging some flee. Resulting refugee spillover can present
security and economic issues for neighboring countries.
10
“Incident Response Teams / Response Teams / INTERPOL Expertise / Internet / Home -
INTERPOL,” accessed December 2, 2017, [Link]
expertise/Response-teams/Incident-Response-Teams.
11
“Border Management / INTERPOL Expertise / Internet / Home - INTERPOL,” accessed
December 2, 2017, [Link]
12
“Border Management / INTERPOL Expertise / Internet / Home - INTERPOL.”
13
Mathieu Deflem, The Policing of Terrorism: Organizational and Global Perspectives,
Criminology and Justice Studies Series (New York: Routledge, 2010).
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
It is within every nation’s best interest share their country’s methods towards
combatting homegrown terrorism. Delegates will be expected to develop resolutions that
combine strategies and tactics employed by their home-nation. Resolutions should address
the issue of radicalization, and prevention of terrorist acts from occurring.
Domestic-Approaches:
Kenya:
The east-African Nation of Kenya has experienced a range of terrorist attacks in
recent years. Most destructive was the 2013 Westgate mall shooting, in which 67 were
killed by members of the Islamist terror group al-Shabaab.14 The mass shooting was
supposedly perpetrated as a response to the presence of Kenyan soldiers in the
neighbouring country of Somalia. The Kenyan government has reacted to the attack
through the systemic deportation of ethnic-Somalis, accusing most of being illegal aliens.
Anti-Somali sentiment within the nation is strong. Some have committed extrajudicial
killings against Somalis.
United Kingdom:
The UK has enacted an approach focused on de-radicalization of would-be
terrorists. Within their “Channel” counter-terrorism framework is the “Prevent” program.
Those within a community who are deemed vulnerable to radicalization are referred to the
police operated service. Participants are mentored by liberal-Muslims, with a focus on
reducing any desire for violence. The program incurred increase scrutiny following the July
2017 London Bridge attack, which killed 8 and injured 48.15 The leader of the attack was a
regular participant in the Prevent program.
United States:
Many US lawmakers have proposed internet censorship as a means of reducing
radicalization through online content. In 2008 the United State Senate Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs issued a report which credited the internet as
being one of the “primary drivers” of terrorism within the country.16 Further recommend a
degree of censorship to be enacted to prevent harmful ideas from encouraging further
violent attacks. While the proposal has faced criticism on freedom of speech grounds,
similar solutions retain support.
14
Daniel Howden, “Terror in Nairobi: The Full Story behind Al-Shabaab’s Mall Attack,” The
Guardian, October 4, 2013, sec. World news,
[Link]
15
Library, “July 7 2005 London Bombings Fast Facts.”
16
“Majority Media | Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee | Homeland
Security & Governmental Affairs Committee,” accessed December 2, 2017,
[Link]
radicalization.
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Guiding Questions:
1. How should policing forces stem domestic radicalization?
2. To what degree is censorship an appropriate tactic?
3. What are effective approaches to preventing acts of terrorism?
4. How do acts of terrorism affect other countries? What actions can countries take to
curb these effects?
TOPIC TWO: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The illegal trafficking of humans is a multi-billion-dollar form of international
organized crime, it constitutes modern day slavery. Victims are typical traded for the
purpose of forced labour, sexual exploitation, or the harvesting of biological material.
The International Labour Organization estimates that as of 2012 24.9 million were victims
of human trafficking.17 They further found that the trade of humans for labor earned
around $42 billion annually, and the trade of people for sexual exploitation earned around
$99 billion annually.
Victim Coercion:
Victims of human trafficking are typically (but not necessarily always) coerced into a
life of slavery. Traffickers may post ads for false jobs, feign romantic interest or otherwise
coerce potential victims into entering their service.18 Victims tend to be emotionally
injured, depressed, or outcasts of society. Once in the trafficking network, victims are
typically sold and moved between countries.
Debt Slavery:
Debt slavery (or debt bondage) is the act of pledging one’s labour or services in
exchange for repayment on a loan, or some other obligation. In the case of a false job,
traffickers may offer “company housing” for their employees. The rent for which being
garnished from their victims’ work. Traffickers will then increase rent, or otherwise reduce
the pay of their victim, ensuring retention.19
17
“Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (Forced Labour, Modern Slavery
and Human Trafficking),” accessed December 2, 2017, [Link]
labour/lang--en/[Link].
18
A. A. Aronowitz, Human Trafficking, Human Misery: The Global Trade in Human Beings
(Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009).
19
Aronowitz.
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Debt slavery is considered a form of slavery as established by the Supplementary Convention
on the Abolition of Slavery20 (1956). Yet it continues to be wildly practiced. Of the over 11
million slaves in South Asia, the majority are engaged in some form of debt bondage. Some
even working to repay the debts of ancestors centuries past.
Existing Legal Frameworks:
The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, adopted by
the General Assembly in 2000 is the primary legal document prohibiting the trade of
humans.21 All member nations are subject to the international law, regardless of their
voting. However, persecuting those found guilty of trafficking under international law is
logistically problematic and costly.
International law is therefore most effective when incorporated into domestic
legislation. Domestic legal instruments have played a key role in the prevention of human
trafficking, notably the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (2000) in the
United States, and the Convention on Action against Trafficking and Violence Protection Act
(2008) in the European Union. National legislation empowers regional policing forces to
actively seek and persecute those suspected of human trafficking.
Interpol’s Role:
INTERPOL’s primary role in the dismantling of Human Trafficking networks has
been to coordinate international operations targeting criminal organisations.
Intercops:
Intercops is an INTERPOL initiative which provides to training to regional police
forces on how to handle issues of human trafficking. The service provides workshop, and
simulation based training in South American nations. The initiative lead to Operations
Spartacus I and II (2012 and 2014), which collectively rescued more than 1,000 victims,
proving the importance of international police cooperation.
20
“OHCHR | Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery,” accessed December 2,
2017,
[Link]
[Link].
21
Roza Pati, “Combating Human Trafficking Through Transnational Law Enforcement
Cooperation: The Case of South Eastern Europe,” in Policing Across Borders, ed. George
Andreopoulos (New York, NY: Springer New York, 2013), 89–122, [Link]
1-4419-9545-2_6.
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Spartacus III:
Operation Intercops – Spartacus III conducted in July of 2016 in South America
dismantled seven crime networks, freed more than 2,700 victims and made 134 arrests.
The operation was the result of the coordination of the policing forces of 25 INTERPOL
members.22
Utilizing INTERPOL’s global databases, frontline police were able to identify
suspected traffickers and victims flying in and out of three of South America’s busiest
international airports: Ministro Pistarini (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Guarulhos, (São Paulo,
Brazil) and El Dorado (Bogotã, Colombia). Police forces in the 25 involved countries then
followed up on suspects when they reached their destination. Networks were further
investigated and dismantled.
Human Smuggling:
An associated issue is that of human smuggling. Whereas victims of trafficking are
unwilling participants, those undergoing smuggling are seeking to travel to another
country. Visa and financial restrictions may render legal processes of immigration
infeasible. Instead, hopeful émigrés will pay a third party to illegally move them across
national borders, attempting to avoid any customs process.
The issue of complicity presents complications not found in human trafficking.
Those being smuggled are unlikely to attempt to contact authorities about the illegal
activity. Those found to have been smuggled may be unwilling to reveal information if
loved-ones too are being illegally moved.
Guiding Questions:
1. How should national policing bodies coordinate in the dismantling of human
trafficking groups?
2. How can victim coercion into human trafficking networks be reduced?
3. What issues does debt bondage introduce into human trafficking?
22
“Border Management / INTERPOL Expertise / Internet / Home - INTERPOL.”
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TOPIC THREE: CYBERCRIME
Digital technology has introduced many vulnerabilities to institutions who now rely
on electronic information systems. Information Security the protection of information by
has become increasingly important. Billion-dollar companies and government agencies
alike can be vulnerable to breaches of their system.
Cybercrime is inherently ambiguous. Attribution is difficult; oftentimes it is
impossible to trace the source of an attack to the an adversary. What’s more, cybercrime is
not bound by borders. Cyberattacks can be carried out all over the world quickly and
quietly. Consequently, efforts to police cybercrime must be global. INTERPOL is ideally
positioned to enhance a global policing response to the growing pattern of cybercrime.
Cybercrime is a broad term encompassing two often intersecting activities:
• advanced cybercrime - the attack of high end computer and information systems,
and
• cyber-enabled crime – “traditional” criminal activities (e.g. terrorism, drug trading,
financial crimes, crimes against children) that have adopted digital technologies into
their operation.
Examples of Advanced Cyber Crime:
An advanced cyber crime, or high-tech crime, a crime bound to technology
empirically. Most commonly these crimes are breeches by a hacker in order to access
information deemed valuable.
Equifax Records Breech:
In September of 2017, consumer credit reporting agency Equifax revealed that due
to a security breach, the private information of over 145 million Americans had been
compromised.23 Information included, address, full name, social security number, and it
some cases, driver license number. Thousands of citizens of Argentina, Canada and the
United Kingdom were also affected.
No conclusive evidence has been found as to who is ultimately responsible for the
breech. Theories range from it being small-time independent criminals, to a state-
sponsored attack. The stolen records have not been released, implying the perpetrators
may have motives beyond monetary. Substantial legislation addressing has yet to be
23
“The Latest: What You Need to Know after the Equifax Security Breach,” accessed December
11, 2017, [Link]
finances/the-latest-what-you-need-to-know-after-the-equifax-security-breach/article36323162/.
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enacted in any of the afflicted countries. The scale of the crime may raise alarms for the
security of other information systems.
Ransomware:
While ransomware attacks have occurred since the late 1990s their usage by
criminal cells has increased in the past two years, with the number of instances doubling in
the past two years. Ransomware is a piece of software that renders a user’s computer
inoperable until a ransom is paid to the person/group responsible for the attack. Hackers
may alternatively threaten to release sensitive documents found on said computer if the
ransom is not paid.
A piece of ransomware software may find itself on a user’s computer through
countless avenues. Once installed, a user may feel as though they have no recourse but to
pay the ransom. Like conventional blackmail, the victim may be deterred from contacting
authorities lest their sensitive information be disseminated.
Ransomware is a substantial threat to both personal and private computer systems.
It’s estimated that in the past year over half of all UK businesses have been afflicted with a
ransomware attack. In addition to the financial toll of paying a ransom, while the attack is
ongoing it serves to disrupt the operation of the business.
Examples of Cyber-Enabled Crime:
Digital technologies have added an entirely new dimension to many crimes.
Through the internet criminals can easily organize illicit activities. It further allows
predatory figures another avenue to seek out a victim.
Crimes Against Children:
Adults posing as children continue to beleaguer social media platforms. Pedophiles
use the platforms to connect with children in order to establish a rapport in a process
known as “grooming”. The internet has allowed sexual criminals further avenues in which
to reach out and seek potential victims.
The anonymity of the internet makes finding these predators difficult. Domestic
privacy laws can make unmasking online individuals difficult. Policing forces have taken to
encouraging predatory figures into the behavior by posing as children in a sting operation.
While these tasks may be effective in inhibiting a single perpetrator, they are resource
intensive and can exist in a legal grey area.
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INTERPOL’s Current Approach:
Global Operations:
INTERPOL’s Cybercrimes Operations are headed by their Global Complex for
Innovation (IGCI). IGCI works to coordinate with public and private cybersecurity officials
and respond to global incidents.
Southeast Asia:
INTERPOL partnered with Fortinet to identify and thwart cybercrime operations of
low- and medium-levels of sophistication. Over a number of years, INTERPOL identified
and shut down over 9,000 Command and Control (C2) servers. The operation brought
cybersecurity experts from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam.24 In 2015, INTERPOL and the FBI assisted the government of Malaysia in
thwarted Anonymous Malaysia, an international hacking group.25
West Africa:
Interpol’s cybersecurity experts plan to attend the West African Cyber Security
Summit (WACSS) to share best practices with regional governments’ cybercrime units.26 In
2014, INTERPOL established the African Working Group on Cybercrime to: share
knowledge, tools, and best practices; facilitate closer collaboration between national
cybercrime units; and, raise awareness on the operational aspects of international
cooperation.
Europe:
In June 2017, Interpol monitored cyberattacks in Ukraine, and liased with
responding and affected countries. The attacks targeted Ukraine’s government and bank
infrastructure.27 Interpol flagged a Russian man wanted by the investigation under
suspicion of hacking the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 Presidential
24
“Fortinet Supports INTERPOL-Led Cybercrime Operation across the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Cyber Security Review,” accessed December 2, 2017,
[Link]
cybercrime-operation-across-the-association-of-southeast-asian-nations-asean/.
25
“Malaysian Police Works with Interpol and FBI to Evade Cyber-Warfare Threat,” SC Media
UK, August 19, 2015, [Link]
with-interpol-and-fbi-to-evade-cyber-warfare-threat/article/534554/.
26
“West African Cyber Security Summit Confirmed alongside Securex West Africa,” Security
News Desk (blog), November 17, 2017, [Link]
27
Mark Odell et al., “Cyber Attack Hits Global Businesses and Ukraine Government,” Financial
Times, June 27, 2017, [Link]
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election.28
Partnerships:
In 2017, IGCI announced a partnership with CISCO, the tech-conglomerate.29
Interpol also partners with Trend Micro, NEC, Safran Identity & Security, and Entrust
Datacard Group. These strategic partnerships are vital to bridge the gap between private
and public cybersecurity policy.30
Worst-Of List and Stop Pages:
INTERPOL has developed a list of websites deemed the most expressly abusive. This
“Worst-Of” list is made available to all interested Internet Service Providers (ISPs). ISPs are
then recommended to create locally hosted stop pages which users are redirected to
should they attempt to access a site on the list. Such stop pages should include an
explanation of why the user has been redirected, and an explanation they will not face any
criminal consequences. Someone who attempts to access a “Worst-of” site may have not
had any ill intentions. They may have accessed the page by mistake, or were further
unaware of its contents. Its only after repeated attempts should an ISP contact the
appropriate criminal authorities.
No More Ransom:
In response to the increasing prevalence to Ransomware attacks INTERPOL has
supported a variety of initiatives. While they’re information sharing networks have done
work to find those responsible for conducting attacks, they’ve had little effect on stopping
the attacks from happening. In order to reduce the rate in which these attacks occur,
INTERPOL has supported outside organisations.
One such group is No More Ransom, a collection of IT security professionals,
companies and law enforcement agencies. The group has worked towards cracking
Ransom Ware software, and has further sought to educate people on how to avoid the
attacks.
28
Will Stewart, “Russian Man Detained in Prague on Suspicion of Running Cyberattacks on
US,” [Link], October 19, 2016, [Link]
cyber-attacks-US-Vladimir-Putin-America-man-arrested.
29
“Cisco and INTERPOL Collaborate to Combat Cybercrime,” accessed December 2, 2017,
[Link]
collaborate-to-combat-cybercrime.
30
“Strategic Partners / International Partners / About INTERPOL / Internet / Home -
INTERPOL,” accessed December 11, 2017, [Link]
INTERPOL/International-partners/Strategic-Partners.
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Operating in the gray: INTERPOL’s Future Approach?
Recent threats to global cybersecurity represent an increasingly concerning
phenomenon. This committee must determine the extent to which INTERPOL is mandated
to respond to state-sponsored cybercrime. More and more frequently, nation-states are
sponsoring third-party groups to conduct cyberattacks on governments and private
organizations. It is difficult to attribute a cyberattack to any particularly group. This creates
a dilemma for Interpol: How can the organization remain neutral, while still responding to
third-party cybercrime organizations that may, or may not, be affiliated with a country.
In particular, there are common allegations of nation-states interfering with
national elections and referendums. For example, the United States and many members of
NATO accused Russia of interfering with the U.S. presidential election process. The Russia
has denied these claims. Yet, there is consensus among Western nations that Russia has
sponsored certain third-party hacking units, such as APT 28 (also Fancy Bear), to interfere
with elections. On one hand, INTERPOL is a neutral organization focused only on
cybercrime, not cyberwarfare. On the other hand, the nature of cyberwarfare is gray and
anonymous; if a state denies affiliation with a cybercrime group, can INTERPOL respond?
Delegates, you must debate how INTERPOL can balance between protecting its
neutrality and responding to cybercrime groups that may be sponsored by a member of
INTERPOL.
Guiding Questions:
1. How much authority does INTERPOL have to respond to state-sponsored
cybercrimes.
2. How can policing bodies coordinate to prevent international acts of cybercrime?
3. What is your country’s approach to cybercrime? Can it serve as a useful model for
other countries?
4. Considering the international nature of the internet, what concerns do you have
about other countries’ approaches to enforcement?
5. How can you stem the rise of financially disruptive attacks like Ransomware?
6. How can the safety of children be ensured when they utilize the internet?
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Research Guide
The best resource for all delegates will be INTERPOL’s website, which can be found
at [Link]. Here a comprehensive depository of all INTERPOL initiatives and
operations can be found. Delegates should pay careful attention to the page of the state
they represent, and their participation in international crime fighting operations.
Go to [Link]/Member-countries/World to find your specific country and the role
they’ve played within INTERPOL . Spend some time getting a good understanding of the
operations your country has participated in and what their perspectives on crime
enforcement may be. Further research domestic news articles covering some of the
operations that police forces have undertaken. While resources provided by the forces
itself are helpful, they will certainly be at least somewhat biased in their communication.
For a good overview of the operations INTERPOL has coordinated, go to
[Link] . Each topic discussed in this background guide
has an associated crime area. Consider operations that INTERPOL has conducted in the
past for insight into how future situations should be handled.
For research on general theory of each issue, use your library, peer reviewed
sources found online, and reports published from legitimate institutions. Make sure to take
advantage of the footnotes and sources in this background guide. The dias will look
favorably upon delegates who can refer to general policy approaches to issue that fall
outside the scope of their individual country.
If you have further questions, always feel free to reach out!
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
List of Member States in Committee:
Each member state of INTERPOL represents specific policing forces within their
country. The National Central Bureau of each country coordinates between the governing
body of INTERPOL and domestic policing forces.
Central African Republic:
The national policing force within the Central African Republic is the General
Directorate of the Central African Police, which is part of the Ministry of Security,
Immigration, and Public Order. The NCB is located in INTERPOL Bangui, and currently has
a staff of five police officers.
China:
Policing efforts are undergone primarily by the Ministry of Public Safety, and are
further assisted by provincial and municipal counterparts. The NCB is INTERPOL Beijing,
which works close alongside the International Police Cooperation Department of the
Ministry of Public Safety. The country operates two sub bureaus: INTERPOL Hong Kong
and INTERPOL Macao.
Denmark:
The entirety of Denmark’s Policing is provided by the national police force, called
the “Politet”, which is divided into regional forces called “Rigspolitiet”. The NCB, INTERPOL
Copenhagen is part of the National Center of Investigation.
Egypt:
Law enforcement is provided by various departments within the Ministry of the
Interior. The NCB of the country is INTERPOL Cario, housed in the Public Security Sector of
the International and Arab Criminal Police Unit.
Ethiopia:
The Ethiopian Federal Police is the national policing force within the country, which
serves all crime fighting needs. The NCB is INTERPOL Addis Ababa, situated within the
Federal Police Crime Investigations of the EFP Headquarters.
France:
Two national policing bodies are present in France: the National Gendarmerie, a
division of the French armed forces the operate primarily in in rural areas, and the Police
Nationale, who operate primarily in urban areas. Many municipalities may also have a local
policing force at the discretion of the mayor. The NCB is located in INTERPOL Paris.
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Germany:
Each of Germany’s 16 states operates their own policing force referred to as
“Landespolizei”. A national police force, the Budesonide also exists, responsible for
domestic security. The Bundeskriminalamt, Germany’s central agency for police
information and communication serve’s as the country’s NCB.
India:
The Indian Police Service is the primary policing body within the country. While not
a police force itself, the service provides leaders and senior staff to state policing forces.
The NCB for India is INTERPOL New Delhi.
Iraq:
Policing Services are provided by the Ministry of Interior, which is responsible for
public safety. The NCB is INTERPOL Baghdad.
Israel:
National laws are enforced by the Israel police, part of the Ministry of Public
Security. The force is divided into seven territorial districts, Border Police, and seven
additional departments. The NCB is INTERPOL Jerusalem, part of the Intelligence Brach of
the Investigations and Intelligence Department
Japan:
Policing is conducted by Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA), which supervises
and directs 47 regional Prefectural Police Departments. The country’s NCB is INTERPOL
Tokyo. Their NCB regularly hosts conferences hosting other INTERPOL members,
especially those in Asia and the Pacific.
Kenya:
The Kenyan Police Service is the policing body of Kenya, with a force of over 35,000
officers. They are complemented by the General Service Unit, an independent paramilitary
force utilized in the capture of armed and dangerous criminals. INTERPOL Nairobi, deals
with a few specific crime areas, including organized crime, financial crime, and motor
vehicle theft crimes.
Ukraine:
Policing in the country is conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Its
NCB is INTERPOL Kiev. The NCB was instrumental in the extension of the I 24/7 Database
to the country’s border checkpoints.
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Malaysia:
The country’s policing is conducted by the 102,000 strong force of the Royal
Malaysian Police (RMP), which is further divided into eight specialized law enforcement
departments. Its NCB is INTERPOL Kula Lumpar.
Mexico:
The Federal state of Mexico is policed by a collection of federal, state, and municipal
forces. NCB INTERPOL Mexico City coordinates the efforts of all these forces in the
conduction of transnational criminal investigations.
Palestine:
Palestine is the newest member of INTERPOL, and their presence has caused some
controversy among members who object to their recognition. Policing within the country is
conducted by the Palestinian Civil Police Force, an arm of the Palestinian Security Services.
A NCB has yet to be set up due to the brevity of their membership.
Philippines:
The Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) is the Filipino agency
responsible for conducting investigations beyond state borders. They house INTERPOL
Manila, the country’s NCB. The PCTC is further assisted by 22 national law enforcement
agencies.
Turkey:
Policing within Turkey is the domain of the of the Ministry of the Interior and is
responsible for ensuring law and order within the country. INTERPOL Ankara, created in
1930, is one of the first and oldest NCBs.
United Kingdom:
There is no national police force within the UK, there are rather 44 geographic
forces, each lead to by a Chief Constable. The NCB is housed within the National Crime
Agency at INTERPOL Manchester, a body responsible with leading the country’s fight
against serious and organized crime. The UK also operates a series of sub-NCBs in colonial
possessions: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and
Turks and Caicos
United States:
There is not one single governing police force within the USA, instead a collection of
around 18,000 policing bodies enforce laws on a local, state, or federal level depending on
their jurisdiction. INTERPOL Washington is the designated domestic point of contact for all
policing bodies within the country.
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Russia:
Policing work in the country is executed by a variety of departments within the
Ministry of the Interior. INTERPOL Moscow is the country’s primary point of contact
between policing bodies and INTERPOL, but 80 regional divisions exist. These regional
divisions serve as a liaison between local forces and Moscow, primarily focusing on
regional investigations, crime fighting, and the search for fugitives.
Singapore:
Policing in the city-state is overseen by the Singapore Police Force. All issues of
transnational criminal investigations are overseen by the International Cooperation
Department, which houses the NCB INTERPOL Singapore.
References
TOPIC ONE: TERRORISM
Crone, M., & Harrow, M. (2011). Homegrown terrorism in the West. Terrorism and Political
Violence, 23(4), 521-536.
Enders, W., Sandler, T., & Gaibulloev, K. (2011). Domestic versus transnational terrorism:
Data, decomposition, and dynamics. Journal of Peace Research, 48(3), 319-337.
Janbek, D.; Williams, V. (2014). Role of the internet post-9/11 in terrorism and
counterterrorism. Brown Journal of World Affairs 20(2), 297-308. Retrieved
November 5, 2017, from
Silber, M., & Frey, A. (2013). Detect, disrupt, and detain: local law enforcement's critical
roles in combating homegrown extremism and the evolving terrorist threat.
Fordham Urban Law Journal, 127. Retrieved November 5, 2017, from
Terrorism. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2017, from [Link]
areas/Terrorism/Terrorism
TOPIC TWO: HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Aronowitz, A. A. (2009). Human trafficking, human misery: The global trade in human
beings. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Gallagher, A., & Holmes, P. (2008). Developing an effective criminal justice response to
human trafficking: Lessons from the front line. International criminal justice review,
18(3), 318-343.
Human Trafficking/Involuntary Servitude. (2016, May 03). Retrieved December 01, 2017,
from [Link]
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
Trafficking in human beings. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2017, from
[Link]
human-beings
Nieuwenhuys, C., & Pécoud, A. (2007). Human trafficking, information campaigns, and
strategies of migration control. American Behavioral Scientist, 50(12), 1674-169
TOPIC THREE: CYBERCRIME
Canada’s International Gateway. (2015). Canada and the Council of Europe. Retrieved from
[Link]
Cohen, M. (2017, October 27). Trump. Cambridge Analytica. WikiLeaks. The connections,
explained. Retrieved November 03, 2017.
Convention on Cybercrime, Budapest, 23 November 2001, European Treaty Series, No. 185,
available from [Link]
/conventions/treaty/185.
Crimes against children. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2017, from
[Link]
children
Cybercrime. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2017, from [Link]
areas/Cybercrime/Cybercrime
Member States. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2017, from
[Link]
Structure and governance. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2017, from
[Link]
Footnotes:
“7 July London Bombings: What Happened That Day? - BBC News.” Accessed December 2,
2017. [Link]
Aronowitz, A. A. Human Trafficking, Human Misery: The Global Trade in Human Beings.
Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009.
“Border Management / INTERPOL Expertise / Internet / Home - INTERPOL.” Accessed
December 2, 2017. [Link]
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
“Cisco and INTERPOL Collaborate to Combat Cybercrime.” Accessed December 2, 2017.
[Link]
and-interpol-collaborate-to-combat-cybercrime.
Deflem, Mathieu. The Policing of Terrorism: Organizational and Global Perspectives.
Criminology and Justice Studies Series. New York: Routledge, 2010.
“Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (Forced Labour, Modern Slavery
and Human Trafficking).” Accessed December 2, 2017.
[Link]
“Fortinet Supports INTERPOL-Led Cybercrime Operation across the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Cyber Security Review.” Accessed December 2, 2017.
[Link]
cybercrime-operation-across-the-association-of-southeast-asian-nations-asean/.
Howden, Daniel. “Terror in Nairobi: The Full Story behind Al-Shabaab’s Mall Attack.” The
Guardian, October 4, 2013, sec. World news.
[Link]
“Incident Response Teams / Response Teams / INTERPOL Expertise / Internet / Home -
INTERPOL.” Accessed December 2, 2017. [Link]
expertise/Response-teams/Incident-Response-Teams.
Library, C. N. N. “July 7 2005 London Bombings Fast Facts.” CNN. Accessed December 2,
2017. [Link]
fast-facts/[Link].
“Majority Media | Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee | Homeland
Security & Governmental Affairs Committee.” Accessed December 2, 2017.
[Link]
radicalization.
“Malaysian Police Works with Interpol and FBI to Evade Cyber-Warfare Threat.” SC Media
UK, August 19, 2015. [Link]
works-with-interpol-and-fbi-to-evade-cyber-warfare-threat/article/534554/.
“National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.” Accessed December 2,
2017. [Link]
Odell, Mark, Max Seddon, Hannah Kuchler, David Bond, Daniel Thomas, Roman Olearchyk,
and Henry Foy. “Cyber Attack Hits Global Businesses and Ukraine Government.” Financial
Times, June 27, 2017. [Link]
e2df1b0c3220.
“OHCHR | Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery.” Accessed December 2,
2017.
[Link]
[Link].
Pati, Roza. “Combating Human Trafficking Through Transnational Law Enforcement
Cooperation: The Case of South Eastern Europe.” In Policing Across Borders, edited by
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BACKGROUND GUIDE: INTERPOL
George Andreopoulos, 89–122. New York, NY: Springer New York, 2013.
[Link]
Putra, Ramadhan. “Interpol Best Practices in Combating Terrorism.” United Nations
Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee. Accessed December 2, 2017.
[Link]
terrorism/.
Stewart, Will. “Russian Man Detained in Prague on Suspicion of Running Cyberattacks on
US.” [Link], October 19, 2016.
[Link]
Putin-America-man-arrested.
“Strategic Partners / International Partners / About INTERPOL / Internet / Home -
INTERPOL.” Accessed December 11, 2017. [Link]
INTERPOL/International-partners/Strategic-Partners.
“The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.” Accessed December 2, 2017.
[Link]
“The Latest: What You Need to Know after the Equifax Security Breach.” Accessed
December 11, 2017. [Link]
finance/household-finances/the-latest-what-you-need-to-know-after-the-equifax-security-
breach/article36323162/.
“West African Cyber Security Summit Confirmed alongside Securex West Africa.” Security
News Desk (blog), November 17, 2017. [Link]
Wilner, Alex S., and Claire-Jehanne Dubouloz. “Homegrown Terrorism and Transformative
Learning: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Radicalization.” Global Change,
Peace & Security 22, no. 1 (February 2010): 33–51.
[Link]