OSCE Baku Office trains law enforcement agencies on freedom of assembly issues

BAKU, 6 September 2005 - Over 50 representatives of Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies today completed one-week training programme on correct police conduct during public demonstrations and received certificates of recognition from the OSCE Office in Baku.

A key point in this training programme was the right of citizens to organize peaceful meetings in democratic societies. The programme provided the country's law enforcement officials with an opportunity to study tactics employed by police forces in other countries when managing such demonstrations and public rallies.

"The right of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right and one of the foundations of a democratic society," said Ambassador Maurizio Pavesi, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku.

"It is extremely important that interaction takes place between law enforcement agencies and the organizers of public rallies, not only to ensure public order but also to build trust and inspire people's confidence in them."

Topics discussed at the training included an overview of OSCE commitments and the country's current legislation on freedom of assembly, as well as the personal responsibility of police officers and proper police procedures during demonstrations and for reducing crowd tensions.

Participants included representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Prosecutor's Office.