Why Does Interpol Need Immunity from American Law?

[Oldgringo]

gwholt1 wrote:

May God help our nation to come to its senses and gain our balance before we tumble over the precipice.

[chabouk]

I don't know John David Wells, but I think he's got a good handle on it. Especially the part about the claim of "immunity" being laughed at by Podunk PD.

[tarkus]

Very bad. I'm waiting for an explanation as to why Hopey McChange felt the need to amend this executive order. Sigh.

There's no good reason. The reasons go from bad to worse.

Our ancestors would have tarred and feathered these guys by now. I don't just mean INTERPOL.

[The Annoyed Man]

I don't think this will have much impact, if any at all, on the local level. As others have pointed out, I don't see some small town constable allowing Interpol agents to run rough shod over due process.

And realistically, as much as I hold Obama's alleged vision and his complete lack of wisdom in contempt, I don't seriously think that he would allow any former POTUS/VPOTUS to be remanded for trial by an international court — the reason being that it would open him up to the same risk. I don't think he gives a rip about American sovereignty, but I do think that (as a lawyer) he understands potential liability.

What disturbs me about this most is that it is merely part of an overall devaluing by the administration of American exceptionalism. They really don't think that the U.S. is any better a nation than Paraguay or Sudan. They don't value the Constitution, so they are willing to fritter away its protections. They don't value that we live in the most exceptional nation in the history of mankind — NOT because I think that an American life is inherently worth more than the life of a citizen of any other nation, but because I believe that this administration genuinely does not understand the special mix of conditions that it took to create the exceptional nature of the U.S.

At least, that's my 2¢.

[roberts]

In America, nobody was above the law. The 14 Amendment affirmed that.

In Amerika, the civil rights abuses will continue until WE THE PEOPLE feed the hogs.

[Bart]

Nobody is above the law. They are either within the law or outside the law, and there's hundreds of years of history telling us the right response when threatened by outlaws.

[DrBillC]

I must disagree with John David Wells. The amended Executive Order essentially renders Interpol exempt from the Constitution of the United States, especially the Fourth Amendment protecting US citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. An interesting analysis of the Executive Order can be found at ThreatsWatch.org (http://threatswatch.org/analysis/2009/1 ... vereignty/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and another opinion by Bob Unruh at WorldNetDaily here (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=120363" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). More decisions of this nature will result in the US relinquishing its sovereignty and set aside the US Constitution including the Second Amendment.

[joe817]

I find it somewhat odd that this has not been picked up on by the major news outlets: Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, etc, etc, etc.

Has anyone read or heard or seen news on TV about this?

[marksiwel]

so was interpol set up in a treaty? Was that treaty self executing? If not then this tigers got no teeth

[Purplehood]

The unrestrained investigative multinational police force allowed loose in the USA is a disaster of incalculable proportions. When President Reagan granted the limited provisions for INTERPOL'S operations the bounds of our liberties were seriously encroached. But at least there were some significant limits to their operational latitude, their equipment, premises and most importantly their documentation and document transmission capabilities were subject to inspection and over site. And upon determination of violation of USA laws, regulations, ordinances, administrative rules etc could be examined and even seized. Those limits have been lifted and the organization has now been elevated to the status of a diplomat of a sovereign nation not subject to interdiction, detainment, or accountability to any US authority. They have been given carte blanch to operate on USA soil with impunity. There is no other "law enforcement origination" which has unrestrained and uncountable latitude of operations in our nation! INTERPOL does not have to answer to any US citizen for any activity they may engage in, every other LEO must account to one or more levels of authority, which ultimately means "WE THE PEOPLE". Our forefathers would not recognize the republic which they handed off to their children in this day and time. May God help our nation to come to its senses and gain our balance before we tumble over the precipice.

You almost touched on the real issue here...Interpol is an investigative police agency only. It is not an enforcement agency.

[Jonathanaf]

This may be a dumb question, but do the Interpol laws have anything to say about China's execution of the Brit who was caught smuggling drugs?

[suthdj]

This may be a dumb question, but do the Interpol laws have anything to say about China's execution of the Brit who was caught smuggling drugs?

Don't smuggle drugs in China. It is against the law and the punishment is death. Pretty simple, what can Interpol say anyway I really doubt China has given them as much if any freedom as Obama has in the US.

[suthdj]

Just sent a letter to Senator against ANY action by ANY entity in our government having this kind of power.

Here is the response I got today.

Dear Mr. Name removed:

Thank you for contacting me regarding Executive Order 12425. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important matter.

As you may know, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 12425 on December 17, 2009, revising an executive order issued by President Ronald Reagan that withheld certain rights and privileges from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) that are typically conferred under the International Organizations Immunities Act. Under President Obama’s new executive order, INTERPOL is now granted full diplomatic immunity, which includes immunity from Freedom of Information Act requests, as well as the search and seizure of records.

I have deep concerns regarding the rationale and impact of President Obama’s action, and you may be certain that I will look into this matter. Furthermore, President Obama must not forget that preservation of the sovereignty of the United States must be foremost on his agenda. As a representative of our nation, I will support policies that serve to protect our citizens, our allies, and our national interests. As Americans, we take pride in our nation-state, and I will vigorously oppose any legislation or action that infringes upon that sovereignty.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

[TheArmedFarmer]

Here is the response I got today.

Wait a minute, did that really come from John Cornyn's office??? Or did you create it as satire?

[Bullitt]

This is much ado about nothing. INTERPOL is an information sharing service. It is not a "law enforcement" agency. They have no arrest powers anywhere in the world. They are like the UN in that they can serve as an information database BUT without the UN political biased nonsense. They have information we need with regards to a whole host of international crimes. They are allies on the war on terror. I remember their work in providing information on capturing Carlos the Jackal, and in breaking up the Baader-Meinhof Gang and The Red Brigades. They've got nothing to do with the ICC and they don't work for George Soros, so chill. They also don't care about your Swiss bank account. Give 'em break, most of them are ex-cops.