OSCE Centre co-organizes conference on prevention of domestic violence in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 20 May 2009 - A conference that aims to strengthen efforts to prevent domestic violence in Kyrgyzstan, jointly organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Government, the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan and the non-governmental organization Centre for Research of Democratic Processes opened today in Bishkek.

The two-day conference, with the theme "Legislation, Indicators, Enforcement" attracted 100 participants, including police officers, statisticians and representatives of the judicial branch, legislative bodies, crisis centres and women's shelters. In addition, experts from the United States, Netherlands, Lithuania, Ukraine, Turkey and Switzerland shared best practices on legislation, police work and data collection in the field of domestic violence prevention.

Participants are expected to propose mechanisms to improve policies and actions undertaken by various agencies in combating domestic violence.

"The OSCE supports efforts to prevent domestic violence, and the Centre sees this work as a priority," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. "We particularly support efforts to provide guidelines for police officers who encounter domestic violence. The Centre also finances shelters for victims of domestic violence."

Kiyalbek Mukashev, the head of the Kyrgyz Government's Social Development Unit, added:

"Preventing and reacting to domestic violence crimes and protecting victims are complicated, practical problems which require the attention of various state authorities and civil society. Thus, it is important to improve legal and social protections."

The conference is part of the OSCE Centre's program on promoting gender equality and human rights.