Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether a refugee who has been granted asylum should be allowed to be the subject of an Interpol Red Notice initiated by the country they are seeking asylum from.

INTERPOL is a crucial organisation enabling police to police cooperation between 194 member countries.

INTERPOL systems enable member countries to issue Red Notices to seek the location and arrest of persons who are wanted with a view to extradition or other lawful action. Such notices must be made strictly in compliance with INTERPOL’s constitution which forbids any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character. The Government considers very seriously any misuse of INTERPOL notices and strongly supports INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place that protect individuals’ human rights.

It is up to each INTERPOL member country’s legal framework as to what action will be taken in respect of an individual who is subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice, alongside a consideration of other relevant factors such as an asylum claim.

Those granted refugee status in the UK are not expected to return to their country of origin in accordance with the UK’s obligations under the Refugee Convention. As a matter of policy, the UK will moreover not disclose the existence or status of any asylum claim to the national authorities of their country of origin