OSCE–supported Kyrgyz National Forum on Public Safety enhances police cooperation with all stakeholders

BISHKEK, 22 April 2015 – The Kyrgyz Ministry of Interior in support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek opens National Forum on Public Safety today.

The National Forum gathers more than 1000 participants including Head of President’s Administration, Kyrgyz Prime-Minister, members of Parliament, representatives from central and local state authorities, communities and media.

“In the framework of the ongoing police reform, one of the priorities is to establish foundations for social partnership,” says Kyrgyz Minister of Interior Melis Turganbaev. “To this end, forums on public safety were held in all regions of the country and we believe the National Forum will sum up all of those events with a resolution which will be developed to designate specific objectives and mechanisms of securing public safety through interaction of the police with the public and other stakeholders”.

The Minister of Interior, Melis Turgunbaev emphasized the valuable assistance of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek: “The OSCE Centre's substantial support of police reform has paved the way for sustainable changes such as development of mechanisms of co-operation for police and civil society as well as new police performance evaluation criteria.”

“Making police working closer to community in an open and transparent manner is the main priority of the on-going police reform process in Kyrgyzstan, which in turn contributes to more effective prevention of crime in the republic,” says Victor Sotchi, the head of the OSCE Centre’s Police Matters Programme. “The OSCE will continue assisting the Kyrgyz Government in its efforts to meet its OSCE commitments and strengthen law and order as well as the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms in the country”.

The event aims to strengthen co-operation of police with government agencies, local state administrations and civilian population in ensuring public order and crime prevention in the country.

The OSCE Police Matters Programme was launched in 2003 with a co-operation agreement between the OSCE Centre and the Kyrgyz Government. Under the programme, a stage-by-stage reform of Kyrgyz police is being carried out by the government, relevant ministries and civil society institutions.