U.S. lawmakers push for Taiwan membership in Interpol

Washington, Nov. 25 (CNA) United States House of Representatives members have proposed a bill that requires the U.S. secretary of state to develop a strategic approach to secure Taiwan's membership in the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Led by Republican Lance Gooden, the "Taiwan Interpol Endorsement and Inclusion Act" is co-sponsored by lawmakers across party lines including Democrats Brad Sherman and Ted Lieu, and Republicans Pete Sessions and Tom Tiffany, according to a statement by Gooden.

According to the statement, the lawmakers argued that it was a strategic necessity to include Taiwan in international crime-fighting efforts amid ongoing global threats and the practical drawbacks that Taiwan faces due to being excluded from full membership in Interpol.

Gooden said Taiwan's "proven" global crime-fighting capabilities are deserving of full membership in Interpol and that its inclusion would "fill a gap in the global security network and reinforce the effectiveness of international law enforcement cooperation."

The bill would require the secretary of state, within 90 days of the bill's passage, to work with Interpol Washington and report to Congress on a strategy to support Taiwan's bid for observer or membership status in appropriate international organizations.

Taiwan has been excluded from Interpol since China's admission as a member in 1984, despite continued requests to participate in the Interpol General Assembly as an observer.