OSCE helps to prevent violent extremism and radicalization in Kyrgyzstan's prisons

BISHKEK, 24 November 2011 – Representatives of prison staff will learn about and develop skills in detecting radical tendencies that can lead to violence among detainees during a three-day training seminar that started today in Bishkek. The courses are organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with Kyrgyzstan’s penitentiary administration and the independent analytical research centre “Religion, Rights and Politics”.

The programme of the seminar, to be delivered by a national expert, is focused on preventing extremism and radicalization that can lead to violence in penitentiary establishments. More than 50 prison officers from the central prison administration and penitentiary establishments will take part.

Volker Jacoby, the Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “It is important to help Kyrgyzstan’s penitentiary officers learn about and address, in accordance with human rights standards, extremism and radicalization that can lead to violence.”

Kadyr Malikov, the director of the independent analytical research centre “Religion, Rights and Politics”, and an expert on religious issues, said: “During this seminar the participants will learn about different religious groups, which will help them to prevent tension among detainees stemming from religious difference, and ensure the protection of the rights of religious convicts. Knowledge is a crucial instrument for promoting tolerance.”

The seminar is organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek as a part of its programme on penitentiary reform in Kyrgyzstan.