Training on detention monitoring and the protection of human rights while preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism in prisons
When
Where
Organized by
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is organizing a training course to strengthen the knowledge and skills of independent detention monitors from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with regard to protecting human rights while preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) in prison settings. The training course will take place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 14 and15 November 2023.
The training will be delivered by ODIHR human rights experts and an expert with a background in independent detention monitoring from France. It follows a regional workshop held by ODIHR in Bishkek in 2022, which identified a need for further in-depth training for detention monitors on this subject.
Topics and sessions
Based on published ODIHR guidance, the training aims to improve participants’ understanding of the key human rights issues in the context of preventing and countering VERLT in prisons and to build their capacity to assess related prison-based security strategies for their human rights compliance. Among other topics, participants will learn about human rights challenges related to:
- the identification of violent extremist prisoners, their classification, risk and needs assessments;
- security measures and the prison regime;
- rehabilitation and reintegration programmes;
- institutional and staff issues.
The use of concrete examples and case studies from the practice of independent prison monitors ensures the applicability of learning outcomes to the participants' work.
The training will be held in English and Russian, with simultaneous interpretation.
Participants
The training is designed for mid- to senior-level independent detention monitors from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (both countries have adopted the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and established National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs)). Participants will include experts from ombuds institutions, NPMs and civil society organizations that conduct detention monitoring and work on penitentiary reform and criminal justice issues.
Registration
Participation is by invitation only.
Background and further information
ODIHR has a mandate from participating States to provide technical assistance and advice on the implementation of counter-terrorism measures in line with international human rights obligations and commitments. The Office provides a comprehensive range of activities in this regard, including capacity building on the protection of human rights while preventing and countering terrorism and VERLT. In accordance with its mandate on the prevention of torture, ODIHR also provides assistance and promotes the exchange of good practices among NPMs.
Questions related to the training courses can be directed to:
Johannes Heiler, ODIHR Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues (johannes.heiler@odihr.pl);
Maximilian Scheid, ODIHR Associate Human Rights Officer on Anti-Terrorism Issues (maximilian.scheid@odihr.pl).