Ukrainian police officers trained on human rights-compliant policing in Roma communities at OSCE/ODIHR course in Odessa

Effective and human rights-compliant policing in Roma communities was the focus of a two-day training course for 20 Ukrainian police officers, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) from 30 November to 1 December in Odessa, Ukraine.

The course helped participants strengthen their understanding of effective policing practices and of the need to respect and protect the rights of all persons, particularly those who are excluded or discriminated against, such as members of Roma communities. It also aimed to promote greater trust and confidence in the police within the communities.

“In 2014, ODIHR’s Situation Assessment Report on Roma in Ukraine and the Impact of the Current Crisis identified difficulties in the relations between the police and Roma as one of the major challenges affecting the life of the community,” said Mirjam Karoly, ODIHR’s Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues. “This training is very timely, given the ongoing security reforms in Ukraine and the incident of anti-Roma mob violence in August.”

The course was part of ODIHR’s training programme for law enforcement officers on effective and human rights-compliant policing in Roma and Sinti communities. It is also a component of ODIHR’s project on assisting Ukrainian authorities and Roma civil society to shape and implement Roma integration policies and respond to challenges faced by Roma in Ukraine.