Prepare your application
Any new request to the Commission for access or deletion must be made using the application forms or following the instructions in the forms. Further explanations on the processing of requests by the Commission are provided in the CCF Procedural Guidelines for Applicants (available below).
The Commission analyses and processes requests based on written representations and documentation only, and does not conduct oral hearings except in exceptional circumstances.
- Before applying to the Commission, applicants must ensure that their requests conform to the role of the Commission as defined in the Statute of the Commission and meet the admissibility criteria defined by the Operating Rules of the Commission, and that all required documents are provided. The Commission does not respond to requests falling outside its mandate. Examples of requests outside its mandate are available under the heading “Frequently Asked Questions”.
- The Commission neither records nor keeps copies of non-admissible requests. Applicants who are notified that their requests are not admissible must send a new application containing all the elements required for their request to be admissible.
- Requests must be sent via the e-mail address given on the application forms (see below).
Additional information or documents may be requested by the Commission after the initial submission. These elements must also be sent by e-mail, within the deadlines set by the Commission.
Remark
The Statute of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files does not use the term “pre-emptive requests”, but the term has generally been understood to refer to those requests addressed to the Commission in which the requester asks INTERPOL not to process any future data in its files even when there are no data currently in INTERPOL’s files, arguing that doing so would violate the Organization’s rules. The requester may provide information that the requester believes supports the contention that processing such data would violate INTERPOL’s rules. Upon receipt of such requests, the Commission submits them, and any information provided, to the INTERPOL General Secretariat for its information and appropriate action, so that the information may be considered during future compliance reviews conducted by the INTERPOL General Secretariat if a request for police cooperation is received. The Commission informs the requester that the submission has been provided to the General Secretariat. However, the Commission will take no further steps in relation to reviewing the data received after the date of the pre-emptive request unless the requester submits a separate application for access to and/or correction or deletion of data, in which case the Commission will review the application in accordance with its rules and procedures.
Individuals are encouraged to submit all relevant information and corresponding documents in a concise format. Should the requester receive updated information or developments pertaining to requests submitted pre-emptively to the Commission, the requester may provide further information to the Commission, which will convey the information to the General Secretariat.
Individuals who have previously made pre-emptive requests are also free at any time to send a request for access to and/or correction or deletion of data should they wish the Commission to further consider their case.
Applicable procedure
Once the Commission considers a request admissible, the following procedure applies, depending on the type of request presented. A more detailed account of the procedure is available in the CCF Procedural Guidelines for Applicants.
Request for access to information possibly held in the INTERPOL Information System
The Commission first checks whether any data concerning the applicant are being processed in INTERPOL’s Information System. In accordance with Article 35 of the CCF Statute, prior to disclosing information connected with a request, the Commission shall consult the source of the data.
The Commission shall generally decide on a request for access to data within four months from the date on which the request was declared admissible, and shall provide the applicant with a written decision.
Request for deletion or correction of information held in the INTERPOL Information System
The Commission begins by checking whether any data concerning the applicant are being processed in INTERPOL’s files. If so, it examines the compliance of the processing of this data with INTERPOL’s rules, on the basis of the information available to it. In this context, the Commission considers all elements and documents provided by the applicant in support of his/her request. The Commission may seek additional information or clarification from the applicant, from the source of the challenged data, from the INTERPOL General Secretariat or from other entities concerned by the request.
When the Commission considers that it has received sufficient information to reach a conclusion on a request, it renders a Decision. The Commission provides its decision to the INTERPOL General Secretariat for implementation. Finally, the Commission provides its written and reasoned decision to the applicant and to the source of the challenged data, and notifies them of the implementation of its decision by INTERPOL, whenever applicable.
Application for revision
An applicant can submit an application for revision of a Decision of the Commission, according to Article 42 of the Statute of the Commission. For these applications, in addition to the usual admissibility criteria, the applicant must provide:
- a description of a newly discovered and relevant fact(s), within six months of its discovery; and
- the reasons for which such new fact(s) could have led the Requests Chamber to a different conclusion if known at the time at which the request was being processed.
Limits of the Commission’s competence
The CCF only handles issues related to the processing of data in the INTERPOL Information System. It is not empowered to lead an investigation, to weigh evidence, or to make a determination on the merits of a case. Only the competent national or regional authorities may do so, pursuant to Article 36 of INTERPOL’s Constitution. The CCF is not competent to act with regard to national files or procedures, to assist applicants in immigration matters and applications for national extradition proceedings or to determine whether an individual may travel abroad without fear of being arrested. The relevant national authorities should be contacted regarding issues beyond the processing of information in INTERPOL’s files.
