Context: 

Concerns have been raised about the misuse of Interpol’s notice system, especially the issuance of blue corner notices.

Background:

Although Interpol’s Constitution explicitly forbids any activities of a political character, activists have accused it of failing to enforce this rule. Much of this outrage is directed at Russia, which has repeatedly issued notices and diffusions for the arrest of Kremlin opponents.

About Interpol: 

1. The International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is an intergovernmental organization that helps coordinate the police force of 196 member countries.
2. Each of the member countries hosts an INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB).
3. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is designated as the National Central Bureau of India.
4. It is headquartered in Lyon, France

Types of Notice issued by Interpol: 

1. INTERPOL Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
2. Notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau
3. Notices can also be issued at the request of International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court to seek persons wanted for committing crimes within their jurisdiction, notably genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
4. They can also be issued at the request of the United Nations in relation to the implementation of sanctions imposed by the Security Council.

• Red Notice: To seek the location and arrest of persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.However, Interpol cannot compel law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest the subject of a red corner notice as the exercise of such powers is entirely discretionary.
• Yellow Notice: To help locate missing persons, often minors, or to help identify persons who are unable to identify themselves.
• Blue Notice: To collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.
• Black Notice: To seek information on unidentified bodies.
• Green Notice: To provide warning about a person’s criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety.
• Orange Notice: To warn of an event, a person, an object or a process representing a serious and imminent threat to public safety.
• Purple Notice: To seek or provide information on modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.
• INTERPOL–United Nations Security Council Special Notice: Issued for entities and individuals who are the targets of UN Security Council Sanctions Committees.