OSCE organizes workshop on law enforcement agencies’ response to COVID-19 in Uzbekistan

The Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (SPMU), in co‑operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, organized a workshop on law enforcement agencies’ response to COVID-19 in Uzbekistan and international best practices on 28 October 2020, for representatives of the country’s law enforcement agencies.

The workshop was held in acknowledgement that many countries earlier this year imposed temporary restrictions on human rights as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions can, for example, limit the exercise of fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of movement and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

The event aimed to raise awareness among Uzbekistan’s law enforcement agencies about human rights standards and the applicability of community policing techniques within the context of the COVID-19 restrictions.

The workshop covered regulations and recommendations in relation to COVID-19, how the police practically encourage and enforce compliance with them, an introduction to community policing and fundamental human rights and freedom of peaceful assembly, and law enforcement in times of the pandemic.

Participants learnt about the importance of providing police with clear instructions on how to ensure that public confidence is upheld and human rights violations are strictly avoided while the COVID-19 restrictions are maintained. In addition, it was deemed important that the police co‑operate with other sections of the community so that the residents are well informed about the restrictions, such as how long they will last, and possible penalties for non-compliance.

Due to the current pandemic, the workshop was organized in a fully online format, with participants and speakers taking part in lectures, discussions, exercises and scenarios via the Zoom platform.