confirm whether the information on the Greek system was still valid. The letters which the CCF is now routinely providing should go some way to resolving such situations for people whose data lingers on national databases following deletion by INTERPOL. CCF Reforms 87. In November 2016, the General Assembly adopted a resolution74 which approved a new Statute of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files75 and introduced amendments to INTERPOL’s Rules on the Processing of Data, both of which came into force in March 2017. These reforms were supplemented by the revised CCF Operating Rules which were adopted later in the same month. 76 Greater independence and influence of the CCF 88. The CCF Statute now states clearly that the CCF is to be independent in the performance of its functions.77 There are now clearer protections of the independence of the CCF from the influence of the General Secretariat, but also the independence of CCF members from other external influences. 89. The role of the General Secretariat in the procedures of the CCF has been significantly reduced, with its residual role being limited to issues relating to the disclosure of information and to receiving information about extensions of deadlines.78 The CCF’s 42 independence from the General Secretariat is further entrenched by the codification in the CCF Statute of the binding nature of its decisions.79 In addition, the recent reforms enable the CCF to submit a budget proposal, following which the General Assembly will allocate “the annual budget necessary to perform its functions”. The General Secretariat, previously responsible for setting the CCF’s budget, no longer plays any part in the process.80 90. Article 11 of the CCF Statute which deals specifically with the independence of the CCF requires INTERPOL and its Member States to “abstain from any action which might influence the members of the Commission or its Secretariat, or be prejudicial to the discharge of their functions”81 and makes the Chairperson of the CCF responsible for ensuring that “the rules on the independence of the Commission and its members are respected”.82 The General Secretariat is no longer responsible for appointing the CCF Secretariat, which is now appointed and supervised exclusively by the CCF itself.83 91. As for the independence of CCF members from external influence, Article 11(2) of the CCF Statute requires that Commission members must “remain free from external influence, whether direct or indirect, and neither solicit nor accept instructions from any person, body or government”, and CCF members should withdraw themselves 74 INTERPOL, Resolution No. 6, AG-2016-RES-06, ‘INTERPOL’s supervisory mechanisms for the processing of data in the INTERPOL Information System’ (November 2016) 75 II.E/RCIA/GA/2016 (‘CCF Statute’) Available at:https://www.interpol.int/content/download/33754/446865/version/10/file/OLA-STATUTE%20CCF-AGEN-nov2016-02.pdf 76 Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files – Operating Rules, CCF/100/d488 (Adopted 24 March 2017) (‘Operating Rules’) 77 CCF Statute, Article 4. 78 CCF Statute, Articles 21, 34(1), 35(3) and 40(3). 79 CCF Statute, Article 3(2)(c) and Article 38(1). 80 CCF Statute, Article 24; cf. RCI Article 8 81 CCF Statute, Article 11(4). 82 CCF Statute, Article 11(5). 83 CCF Statute, Article 15