New law enforcement project discussed in Yerevan

YEREVAN, 21 May 2001 (OSCE) - Participants at a high-level two-day conference held in Yerevan discussed last week a new law enforcement project to be implemented in Armenia. The conference, which was co-organized by the OSCE on 17 and 18 May, was also an important opportunity for the participants to exchange their views on the new police law in Armenia, and to discuss practical policing issues in a democratic environment.

The new project would be based on the needs and expectations of the law enforcement agencies and could focus on improving police skills and competencies, as well as increase knowledge on human rights approaches. Suggested programme components included the establishment of a human rights and training centre for law enforcement bodies; support for the elaboration of Police Academy curricula; the organization of seminars and professionals-to-professionals training; and study visits to western countries for high officials. Follow-on discussions between the OSCE Office in Yerevan and Ministries will identify the specific themes.

The conference, which was organized alongside the OSCE by the Council of Europe (CoE), the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, was formally opened by the Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian. In his welcoming address, he focussed on the steps the Armenian Government is taking towards democratic development, and noted that the recent acceptance of Armenia to the Council of Europe was a proof for Armenia's success in aiming at entering the European family of democratic nations. He also praised the work of international organizations, and in particular the role of the OSCE and the CoE in protecting the human rights in Armenia and in the establishment of a democratic society.

Ambassador Roy Reeve, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, welcomed the participants at the conference and stressed the importance of discussions between professionals to contribute to the initiation of concrete steps and programmes.

The conference was attended by experts from the CoE, New Scotland Yard, the Western European Union (WEU), and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions (ODIHR). Participants from Armenia included representatives from the Armenian President's Office; the National Assembly; Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Interior Affairs, Justice; and the General Prosecutor's Office.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, economic and environmental aspects of security and stability.

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For further information please contact Cerasela Nicolas, OSCE Democratization Officer in the Office in Yerevan, tel. +374 1 54 10 64 or +374 1 54 58 45; e-mail: cnicol@osce.am.