OSCE Centre in Bishkek facilitates discussion to rebuild confidence between civil society, police in light of recent civil unrest
BISHKEK, 22 April 2010 - Kyrgyzstan's interim Interior Ministry, with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, organized a working meeting today with representatives of civil society, media, the OSCE and other international organizations to revitalize public trust in the police, restore police morale and discuss the Police Service's development and legislative reform.
Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: "The police retain primary legal and operational responsibility for the maintenance of public order. Both government and non-government interlocutors have highlighted to the OSCE the urgent need to restore morale in the police service while ensuring full respect for human rights. Today's meeting is a vital contribution towards building a professional and accountable police service which meets international standards."
The head of the Scientific-Research Centre of the Interior Ministry, Colonel Shamshybek Mamyrov, added: "The recent situation in Kyrgyzstan has demonstrated that the current law for Kyrgyz police does not meet requirements for building a democratic society or international policing standards, and it is the right time to discuss police legislation widely with NGOs and civil society to consider their proposals and revise the law."
The discussion was organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek as part of activities to strengthen the institutional, operational and educational capacities of the Kyrgyz police in partnership with civil society.