OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports Kyrgyz police reforms to prevent torture

BISHKEK, 4 December 2008 - Doing more to prevent the use of torture in law enforcement structures and raising awareness of human rights was the aim of a conference at the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry today, which marked the conclusion of an OSCE Centre-supported pilot project on prevention of torture in police activities.

The event was organized by the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry and non-governmental organization Egl, and supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

"Respect for human rights is a main priority of police reform in Kyrgyzstan. There are positive indicators of law enforcement bodies' work in the areas of torture prevention and domestic violence, and the pilot project with the OSCE and NGO Egl effectively facilitated this process," said Moldomusa Kongantiev, Minister of Internal Affairs in his opening speech.

"The Kyrgyz Republic joined the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture in April, which is an important step towards creating real mechanisms to prevent torture in the work of law enforcement bodies. However, more work needs to be done to encourage people to report such cases, and the OSCE is ready to provide further support to the Interior Ministry in developing mechanisms of torture prevention, and principles of community policing in Kyrgyzstan," said Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre.

Over 70 participants, including representatives of police, civil society and international organizations, attended the meeting, which is expected to result in recommendations for follow-up activities.