OSCE opens Public Council office for police reforms in Tajikistan’s second-biggest city

The OSCE Office in Tajikistan, the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry on 13 February 2016 opened a Public Council office in Khujand, the second-biggest city in Tajikistan, with the aim of contributing to the implementation of police reforms in the country.

Members of the Public Council in Khujand, who represent different layers of society, will meet and discuss the implementation of the strategy, concept and state programmes on developing and reforming the police in Tajikistan. They will also provide their feedback and recommendations to the Interior Ministry.

“Public Councils should serve as venues of open communication between the police and the community as part of an important process of police reform through community policing,” said Fejzo Numanaj, Head of the Politico-Military Department at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “The OSCE strives to ultimately see a police force with a strong understanding of human rights and gender balance in line with international human rights standards and best practices.”

James Berg, Criminal Justice Advisor at INL, said: “We have plans to support Public Councils further within the framework of community policing, gender mainstreaming and combating domestic violence in 2016.”

The opening ceremony took place in the regional office of the Interior Ministry in Khujand and was organized as part of the strategy and Police Reform Programme for 2014-2020. The OSCE Office in Tajikistan and INL renovated the room of the Public Council, which was allocated by the Interior Ministry, and provided the necessary equipment and furniture for its operation.

Public Council offices have been established in Tajikistan’s six main regions and involve 77 representatives of civil society. Three more offices are due to open in the coming weeks.