Our Services
INTERPOL Preemptive Request
A preemptive request before INTERPOL allows an individual to act before a Red Notice is issued, asking the organisation not to process future data that would breach its rules.
At Otherside, we assist clients in preparing and submitting these requests to the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) to minimise the risk of a Red Notice being published.
This proactive step can be decisive in politically motivated or unfounded cases.
Legal Basis and Procedure
While the CCF Statute does not expressly mention “preemptive requests,” the practice is recognised within INTERPOL’s system.
Such a request asks INTERPOL to block or flag any future data submission concerning an individual, even when no information currently exists in its files, on the basis that processing such data would violate INTERPOL’s Constitution and Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD).
Upon receipt, the CCF forwards the request to INTERPOL’s General Secretariat, which records the information and may consider it during its pre-publication compliance review.
Since 2016, all Red Notice requests undergo internal review before publication to ensure compliance with INTERPOL’s rules on neutrality, proportionality, and human rights.
Limitations of the INTERPOL Preemptive Request
A preemptive request before the CCF does not trigger a formal review or decision.
Once received, the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) simply transmits the information to INTERPOL’s General Secretariat, which may refer to it during future compliance reviews.
The CCF does not examine the admissibility, legality, or accuracy of hypothetical future data.
Applicants should be aware of the following limitations:
01
No Decision or Legal Assessment
The CCF will not issue a determination on whether a potential Red Notice would comply with INTERPOL’s rules.
A preemptive request is not treated as a formal application for review, and no findings on legality or compliance are made.
02
No Confirmation of Ongoing Monitoring
After submission, the applicant receives only a brief acknowledgment that the request was forwarded to the General Secretariat.
There is no continuous monitoring or confirmation that the information remains under review.
03
No Automatic Notification
Submitting a preemptive request does not guarantee that the applicant will be notified if INTERPOL later processes data or publishes a Red Notice.
Any new data concerning the individual may still enter INTERPOL’s system without prior warning.
04
No Guarantee of Refusal
While a preemptive request can influence INTERPOL’s internal assessment, it does not ensure that a Red Notice request will be refused.
Decisions remain at the discretion of the General Secretariat’s Notices and Diffusions Task Force (NDTF), which generally blocks publication when clear political elements or procedural irregularities exist.
Our Approach
At Otherside, we assist clients in submitting INTERPOL preemptive requests that effectively highlight potential breaches of INTERPOL’s rules before a Red Notice is issued.
While the Commission for the CCF does not rule on such applications, the way a request is structured determines whether it will be meaningfully noted by INTERPOL’s General Secretariat during future compliance reviews.
Risk Assessment
Drafting the Preemptive Request
Transmission to the General Secretariat
Follow-Up and Contingency Planning
Why Choose Otherside
At Otherside, we act exclusively before the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files. Our experience with INTERPOL preemptive requests ensures that submissions are drafted in a way that the General Secretariat can meaningfully consider during its internal compliance reviews.
Exclusive Focus on INTERPOL Proceedings
Strategic Presentation of Risk
Experience with Sensitive Cases
Consistent Follow-Up
Contact Us
If you face a risk of a Red Notice, a well-prepared INTERPOL preemptive request can help ensure your case is flagged before any publication. At Otherside, we prepare and submit these requests to the CCF for transmission to INTERPOL’s General Secretariat, ensuring compliance concerns are clearly presented. For confidential assistance with a preemptive request before INTERPOL, contact Otherside.