ELECTED – U.A.E General accused of torture

The global police agency. Interpol is under fire today after electing a United Arab Emirates General as the next president, despite being accused of committing torture

Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi is the current inspector-general of the UAE’s interior ministry and will serve a four-year, unpaid term as president of the agency.

But multiple human rights groups are opposing the appointment, saying the individual has failed to investigate credible torture accusations against UAE security forces.

Raisi rejects the claims, saying he “strongly believes that the abuse or mistreatment by police is abhorrent and intolerable”.

He was elected as president after three rounds of voting, with each member state having a say in the decision.

The role’s responsibilities include charing the executive committee meetings, and overseeing the overall operations of the agency.

Raisi says it is an “honour” to be elected president and promised to “build a more transparent, diverse, and decisive organisation that works to ensure safety for all”.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch’s Gulf has labelled it as “a sad day for human rights and the rule of law worldwide”.