OSCE supports travel document security in Turkmenistan

TURKMENABAT, Turkmenistan, 26 March 2010 - An OSCE-sponsored one-week training course on increasing operational awareness to detect forged documents concluded in Turkmenabat today.

Twenty officials from the Interior Ministry, National Security Ministry, State Customs Service, State Border Service and State Migration Service of Turkmenistan took part in the course delivered by three international experts. Throughout this week, the participants updated their knowledge on forged documents and engaged in simulation and practical exercises as well as discussion. A separate training module on the use of the Interpol database was part of the programme. In addition, a representative of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan delivered a lecture on combating trafficking in human beings to the course participants.

"Proper document training is absolutely essential in the fight against terrorism, trafficking in human beings and illegal migration. Document verification without specific knowledge about printing techniques and technical equipment, such as ultraviolet lamps and magnifying glasses, is almost impossible, and this course aims to help ensure that officials are trained in these skills," said Gerold Glechner, one of the international experts who delivered the practical training course.

To ensure proper follow-up to the training, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat donated to all participants completing the course ultraviolet lamps that can be used for checking various types of official documents.

The course on travel document security was developed by the OSCE Secretariat's Action against Terrorism Unit and the OSCE Borders Team for border officials in OSCE participating states. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized similar courses in three regions of Turkmenistan in 2009 and 2008. Twenty participants are expected to take part in a similar course in Mary next week.