OSCE Centre supports conference on legislative framework for police activities in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 4 December, 2009 - A conference organized by the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry and supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek on the new draft police law was held in Bishkek today.

More than 50 international and local participants discussed the draft law elaborated by the Interior Ministry and provided recommendations to bring the draft in line with international standards.

"The conference is expected to stimulate wider public discussion and raise awareness of best international practices with regard to legal regulation of police activities. The OSCE Centre hopes that the ensuing recommendations will be taken on board by the Ministry of Interior," said Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

Sabyrbek Kurmanaliev, the Deputy Interior Minister, added: "The improvement of the legislative framework for policing will lead to better protection of the interests of citizens, society and state, better working conditions and social protection for police officers and increased public trust in the police service.

"The Interior Ministry will consider the conference's recommendations and post the resulting new draft law on the Government's website for further public discussion."

Representatives of the Government, Parliament and the judiciary, as well as officials from the Ombudsman's office, civil society and the UN Development Programme took part in the event.