PUBLIC LAW 114–139—MAR. 18, 2016 

TAIWAN INTERPOL OBSERVER STATUS 


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130 STAT. 314 PUBLIC LAW 114–139—MAR. 18, 2016 

Public Law 114–139 

114th Congress 

An Act 

To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to obtain observer status 

for Taiwan in the International Criminal Police Organization, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 

the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. PARTICIPATION OF TAIWAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL 

CRIMINAL POLICE ORGANIZATION. 

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings: 

(1) Safety, security and peace is important to every citizen 

of the world, and shared information ensuring wide assistance 

among police authorities of nations for expeditious dissemination of information regarding criminal activities greatly assists 

in these efforts. 

(2) Direct and unobstructed participation in the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is beneficial for all nations and their police authorities. Internationally 

shared information with authorized police authorities is vital 

to peacekeeping efforts. 

(3) With a history dating back to 1914, the role of 

INTERPOL is defined in its constitution: ‘‘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.’’. 

(4) Ongoing international threats, including international 

networks of terrorism, show the ongoing necessity to be ever 

inclusive of nations willing to work together to combat criminal 

activity. The ability of police authorities to coordinate, preempt, 

and act swiftly and in unison is an essential element of crisis 

prevention and response. 

(5) Taiwan maintained full membership in INTERPOL 

starting in 1964 through its National Police Administration 

but was ejected in 1984 when the People’s Republic of China 

(PRC) applied for membership. 

(6) Nonmembership prevents Taiwan from gaining access 

to INTERPOL’s I–24/7 global police communications system, 

which provides real-time information on criminals and global 

criminal activities. Taiwan is relegated to second-hand information from friendly nations, including the United States. 

(7) Taiwan is unable to swiftly share information on criminals and suspicious activity with the international community, 

leaving a huge void in the global crime-fighting efforts and 

leaving the entire world at risk. 

Mar. 18, 2016 

[S. 2426] 


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PUBLIC LAW 114–139—MAR. 18, 2016 130 STAT. 315 

(8) The United States, in the 1994 Taiwan Policy Review, 

declared its intention to support Taiwan’s participation in 

appropriate international organizations and has consistently 

reiterated that support. 

(9) Following the enactment of Public Law 108–235, a 

law authorizing the Secretary of State to initiate and implement 

a plan to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan at 

the annual summit of the World Health Assembly and subsequent advocacy by the United States, Taiwan was granted 

observer status to the World Health Assembly for six consecutive years since 2009. Both prior to and in its capacity as 

an observer, Taiwan has contributed significantly to the international community’s collective efforts in pandemic control, 

monitoring, early warning, and other related matters. 

(10) INTERPOL’s constitution allows for observers at its 

meetings by ‘‘police bodies which are not members of the 

Organization’’. 

(b) TAIWAN’S PARTICIPATION IN INTERPOL.—The Secretary of 

State shall— 

(1) develop a strategy to obtain observer status for Taiwan 

in INTERPOL and at other related meetings, activities, and 

mechanisms thereafter; and 

(2) instruct INTERPOL Washington to officially request 

observer status for Taiwan in INTERPOL and to actively urge 

INTERPOL member states to support such observer status 

and participation for Taiwan. 

(c) REPORT CONCERNING OBSERVER STATUS FOR TAIWAN IN

INTERPOL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 

of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report, 

in unclassified form, describing the United States strategy to 

endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan in appropriate international organizations, including INTERPOL, and at other related 

meetings, activities, and mechanisms thereafter. The report shall 

include the following: 

(1) A description of the efforts the Secretary has made 

to encourage member states to promote Taiwan’s bid to obtain 

observer status in appropriate international organizations, 

including INTERPOL. 

(2) A description of the actions the Secretary will take 

to endorse and obtain observer status for Taiwan in appropriate 


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130 STAT. 316 PUBLIC LAW 114–139—MAR. 18, 2016 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2426: 

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016): 

Mar. 8, considered and passed Senate. 

Mar. 14, considered and passed House. 

Æ 

international organizations, including INTERPOL, and at other 

related meetings, activities, and mechanisms thereafter. 

Approved March 18, 2016. 


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