Daily Current Affairs : 17-January-2025

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recently highlighted the significance of the new INTERPOL ‘Silver Notice’ as a more effective tool than the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) for tracing illicit assets across borders. This innovative approach helps authorities identify and recover criminal assets tied to illegal activities, such as fraud, corruption, and drug trafficking.

What is the Silver Notice?

The INTERPOL Silver Notice was launched in 2023 as part of a pilot phase, running until 2025. This initiative follows discussions held during the 2022 United Nations (UN) General Assembly and is supported by 52 countries, including India. The Silver Notice aims to enhance international cooperation in tracking down assets linked to crime. Here’s a breakdown of what it involves:

  • Purpose: It is designed to help trace and recover criminal assets, including properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses, that are tied to illicit activities.
  • Scope: The notice enables member countries to request information from other nations about assets connected to serious crimes like fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and even environmental crimes.

How Does the Silver Notice Compare to MLAT?

Traditionally, Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) have been used to request assistance in investigating criminal matters across borders. However, the CBI suggests that the Silver Notice is a more effective tool because:

  • Speed: The Silver Notice allows for quicker access to asset-related information compared to the often lengthy and bureaucratic processes of MLAT.
  • Global Cooperation: The Silver Notice facilitates easier communication and cooperation among member countries, enabling more efficient action in identifying and recovering criminal assets.

INTERPOL Notices

INTERPOL Notices are international alerts that help police forces in different countries share information about crimes and criminals. There are eight types of Notices, each serving a different purpose. The Silver Notice falls under these notices and specifically addresses the issue of asset tracing. Additionally, there is the INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice, which focuses on security-related issues.

Important Points
  • INTERPOL Silver Notice was launched in 2023 as part of a pilot phase, running until 2025.
  • The initiative involves 52 countries, including India.
  • It focuses on identifying and recovering criminal assets linked to activities like fraud, corruption, and drug trafficking.
  • The Silver Notice enables member countries to request information about illicit assets such as properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses.
  • CBI emphasizes that the Silver Notice is more effective than Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) for tracing illicit assets across borders.
  • Silver Notice provides faster access to asset-related information compared to MLAT, which is often slower and more bureaucratic.
  • INTERPOL Notices are international alerts that allow police forces in different countries to share crime-related information.
  • There are eight types of INTERPOL Notices, with the Silver Notice specifically focusing on asset tracing.
Why In News

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has emphasized that the new INTERPOL ‘Silver Notice’ is a more effective tool than Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) for tracing illicit assets across borders, as it streamlines the process and facilitates quicker international cooperation in identifying and recovering criminal assets.

MCQs about INTERPOL Silver Notice
  1. What was the primary goal of launching the INTERPOL Silver Notice in 2023?
    A. To facilitate international travel for law enforcement officers
    B. To help trace and recover criminal assets linked to illegal activities
    C. To improve communication between different police forces
    D. To support environmental conservation efforts
    Correct Answer: B. To help trace and recover criminal assets linked to illegal activities
    Explanation: The INTERPOL Silver Notice was launched to aid in identifying and recovering criminal assets involved in illegal activities such as fraud, corruption, and drug trafficking.
  2. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of the INTERPOL Silver Notice over the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT)?
    A. It allows faster access to information
    B. It involves fewer bureaucratic procedures
    C. It simplifies international cooperation
    D. It focuses on humanitarian issues
    Correct Answer: D. It focuses on humanitarian issues
    Explanation: The Silver Notice specifically targets the tracing of criminal assets, not humanitarian issues, and is considered more efficient than MLAT in terms of speed and cooperation.
  3. How many countries are involved in the INTERPOL Silver Notice pilot phase?
    A. 25
    B. 52
    C. 100
    D. 10
    Correct Answer: B. 52
    Explanation: The pilot phase of the INTERPOL Silver Notice involves 52 countries, including India, as part of the initiative to trace illicit assets.
  4. What is the primary difference between INTERPOL Silver Notice and other types of INTERPOL Notices?
    A. Silver Notice focuses on tracing criminal assets
    B. Silver Notice is used only for environmental crimes
    C. Silver Notice helps in issuing travel bans
    D. Silver Notice is the least important type of notice
    Correct Answer: A. Silver Notice focuses on tracing criminal assets
    Explanation: The Silver Notice is specifically designed to trace and recover assets related to criminal activities, making it distinct from other types of INTERPOL Notices, which serve different purposes.

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