OSCE conducts training to the Kyrgyz police on religious extremism prevention
ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 20 August 2014 – The OSCE Police Matters Programme today launched a four-day training course in Issyk-Kul yesterday for 25 senior and junior staff of the public security departments under the Kyrgyz Ministry of Interior from Bishkek city, Chui, Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul regions on good practices in community policing and preventing religious conflict.
The course is being conducted in co-operation with the Main department of Public Safety of the Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry and the State Commission on Religious Issues under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Local trainers will familiarize participants on practical steps in establishing a community-oriented police force, how to effectively work with offenders and law-breakers within the community, and how to solve problems occurring in their community. Trainers will also highlight good practices in preventing religious conflicts on the local and community levels.
“The OSCE Centre in Bishkek has been supporting the Kyrgyz Republic in the development of democratic institutions with civic participation in establishing a transparent and a community-oriented strategy. This training is one of the steps in promoting human rights and strengthening Community Policing in the country,” said John MacGregor, the acting head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “I believe that this training will be an important step in the ongoing development of good relations between police officers and their communities.”
Baev Erkin, the head of the Main department of Public Security under the Ministry of Interior, said: “Building the capacity of the police officers is one of the key aspects in the Ministry of Interior work. We thank the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, especially the Community Policing project, for conducting these trainings as the main focus of the department is to establish a transparent and community-oriented police, especially in the provinces.”
The OSCE Police Matters Programme has been implementing the “Community-based policing” project for many years. Assistance in this area has included among other things the opening of several new facilities such as a rehabilitation centre for victims of domestic violence in Aravan (Osh Province), a Youth Centre in Kyzyl-Kiya (Batken Province) and police reception booths in Osh city.