OSCE trains border officials on protecting human rights in securing borders from terrorism

Complying with human rights standards when countering terrorism at borders was the focus of training organized jointly by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Border Management Staff College (BMSC) from 6 to 10 April 2015 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The training course, bringing together 23 mid- to senior-ranking border officials from 11 OSCE participating States (Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mongolia, Montenegro, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine) and Afghanistan, an Asian Partner for Co-operation, aimed at providing practical tools for border officials to conduct their duties in compliance with human rights.

”Respecting human rights is indispensable in addressing the continuously evolving phenomenon of terrorism,” said Enrico Boninsegna, ODIHR Human Rights Officer on Anti-Terrorism Issues. “Law enforcement officials engaged in counter-terrorism activities, including border officials, should have the necessary knowledge to perform their professional duties in full compliance with human rights.”

“This course, delivered in co-operation with ODIHR, is aimed at providing a strong understanding of the inextricable relationship between human rights and terrorism,” said Ilona Kazaryan, Chief of Development and Outreach at the OSCE Border Management Staff College. “It highlights the relevant human rights standards, norms and principles that should be respected and protected when countering terrorism at borders.”

The training was conducted as part of the OSCE’s assistance to strengthen participating States’ capacities in preventing and combating terrorism within a framework based on the rule of law and respect for human rights. This was the fifth training session on human rights in counter-terrorism and border security jointly organized by ODIHR and the BMSC since 2010.