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Home Where we are Programme Office in Bishkek What we do
OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek

What we do

The work of the Programme Office focuses on a range of security issues: from countering terrorism, border security and transnational threats such as human trafficking, to developing the country’s regions, strengthening efforts to combat corruption on all levels, as well as supporting the reform of the justice sector, implementation of election reform, gender equality and building open and resilient societies.
Border management
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek assists the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic (SBS) by promoting cross-border co-operation and enhancing the capacity of the SBS personnel involved in addressing transnational threats in border management and security. The Office supports the SBS’s efforts in the implementation of the Integrated Border Management (IBM), which aims to achieve co-ordinated and improved border security and management.
Combating human trafficking
The OSCE Programme Office works with law enforcement agencies, civil society, and local government institutions, including the State Migration Service, to strengthen their capacity in preventing and fighting human trafficking and addressing migration issues. Activities include capacity building training for police and border-guards; awareness-raising events for youth and community leaders; the development of policies and practical manuals; and information campaigns to inform the population about trafficking in human beings. The Programme Office assists with the establishment and proper functioning of a National Referral Mechanism for trafficking victims and promotes inter-agency co-operation.
Countering terrorism
The OSCE Programme Office is engaged in strengthening the efforts of the Kyrgyz Government in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT). A long-term strategic approach includes systematic capacity building initiatives and comprehensive in-country training programmes. The programmes aim to enable law enforcement agencies to efficiently address current security concerns. The Programme Office recognizes the role of youth in stemming the threat of VERLT; empowering young men and women as agents of change through conflict prevention and resolution initiatives.
Economic activities
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek supports the host country’s efforts in addressing challenges to economic and environmental governance that have a tangible impact on stability, security, and sustainable socio-economic development in the country.
Elections
Building on the lessons learned from the OSCE’s comprehensive efforts to foster the development of a democratic electoral process, the OSCE Programme Office continues providing support to authorities to improve electoral legislation, increase inclusiveness of electoral processes and administer elections. This work is done in co-operation with the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
Environmental activities
The OSCE Programme Office focuses on assisting the Kyrgyz Government in addressing environmental challenges and disaster risk reduction issues. In particular, the Programme Office assists with the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and promotes a green economy by supporting open forums for sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences between state officials and civil society.
Gender equality
In support of Kyrgyzstan’s National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality and the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the OSCE Programme Office works with key actors in the country to help raise awareness of gender aspects of security, women’s participation in public life, and the involvement of men in promoting gender equality. It supports a network of Women’s Initiative Groups and helps establish referral mechanisms between local self-government bodies, police and communities on addressing and preventing gender-based violence. The Programme Office emphasizes the significance of gender equality in the security sector by supporting female professionals across law enforcement agencies.
Good governance
The OSCE Programme Office supports Kyrgyzstan in combating corruption and economic crimes and promoting good governance in the public administration system. The Programme Office supports the implementation of a two-year national action plan (NAP) within the Open Government Partnership framework. The aim of the national action plan is to increase the accountability of the government’s work, strengthen the involvement of civil society in policy development and decision-making, and improve the quality of public services in Kyrgyzstan. The NAP also envisages the introduction of new technologies to increase government transparency and public access to information.
Human rights
The OSCE Programme Office is active in promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kyrgyzstan. As such, the Programme Office supports the host country in upholding economic, social and cultural rights across the country with a special focus on gender. Following the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Office supports initiatives aimed at the promotion of persons with disabilities’ labour rights at the state and municipal service, including civic awareness-raising and empowerment of persons with disabilities to take a more active role in political, public and social life.
Policing
The OSCE Programme Office supports Kyrgyz authorities in introducing gradual legislative, administrative and structural changes with a special focus on the rule of law, human rights, gender equality, and multi-ethnic representation across all law enforcement agencies. It aims to further these principles by providing expert, methodological and technical assistance. With the aim to enhance community-based policing, the Programme Office has been supporting the operation of Mobile Police Receptions (MPRs) vehicles across Kyrgyzstan. MPRs are customized minivans, which contain necessary equipment required for a functioning police reception, and can reach remote communities. The MPR initiative helps to increase public trust in the police and improve the latter’s effectiveness through enhancing co-operation between police, local government authorities, civil society and the media.
Rule of law
The OSCE Programme Office strengthens the administration of justice in Kyrgyzstan by contributing to the ongoing reform of the criminal justice system. This work aims to enhance the capacity of prosecutors, judges, and lawyers who are implementing the newly adopted criminal justice legislation, and at the same time supports the efforts of governmental working groups and civil society that monitor the use of the new legislation throughout the rule of law sector. The Programme Office also assists in the implementation of the Penitentiary Reform Strategy, in the prevention of violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism in prisons and the prevention of the use of torture in detention facilities. The Programme Office also actively assists in strengthening the co-operation between the national human rights institutions, state institutions and civil society.