OSCE discusses role of community policing in countering terrorism

ASTANA, 12 October 2012 – An OSCE-supported seminar on countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism and the role community policing can play in this regard concluded today in Astana.

The two-day seminar brought together some 50 international and national experts, including representatives of the authorities and international organizations, who  discussed violent radicalization and the factors that may be conducive to terrorism. It focused on how state authorities and civil society can work together to prevent and combat terrorism while ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law.

“One of the goals of our roundtable meeting is to discuss the phenomenon of violent extremism and radicalization, and identify how they can lead to terrorism,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, the Head of OSCE Centre in Astana addressing the participants. “We will also examine the police’s possible contribution to the fight against violent extremism and radicalization, as law enforcement agencies work directly with local communities within the country.”

Lessya Karatayeva, the Deputy Director for Academic and Research Affairs at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, said: “The seminar’s sessions were both engaging and thought-provoking, and I particularly appreciated the diverse backgrounds of the participants, who came from government, academic circles, non-governmental organizations, and law enforcement bodies. Moreover, I liked the way the event was organized, particularly the mix of theory and contemporary practice.”

The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department.