OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports discussion on national strategy for developing the penitentiary system
BISHKEK, 21 January 2015 - The OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Kyrgyz State Penitentiary Service today opened a roundtable discussion to evaluate progress on implementing the National Strategy on the Development of the Penitentiary System “UMUT 2”.
The event, co-organized with UNODC and other local partners, gathers government officials from various ministries, civil society (including the Public Oversight Council under the Penitentiary Service), and the media.
Discussions will focus on a mid-term assessment of the strategy, to be presented at the meeting, which covers the period 2012-2016. This will serve as the basis for elaborating the next strategy for the period 2017-2021. The official assessment was prepared by a working group under the aegis of the Penitentiary Service and was discussed with a number of stakeholders at the conference, including civil society representatives.
“I welcome this first comprehensive discussion about the implementation of the Strategy among partners and government officials,” said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, in his welcoming address. “The Centre has been active on penitentiary reform since 2009, and in particular providing support to the drafting of the Strategy we are discussing today, as well as its implementation. Our work supporting OSCE commitments in this area is closely linked to our backing for overall reform of the criminal justice system in a comprehensive rule of law perspective.”
The OSCE Centre in Bishkek project on “Supporting the implementation of the National Strategy on the Development of Penitentiary System UMUT 2” addresses the human rights situation and safety in penitentiary establishments by supporting the modernization of the penitentiary system. The Centre supports the professional training of prison staff on issues related to OSCE commitments and international and national human rights obligations, and the enhancement of professional competences.