OSCE Centre in Astana supports human rights education in police

ASTANA, 25 October 2013 – An OSCE-supported train-the-trainers seminar aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills of police schools instructors to teach about human rights matters took place today in Astana.

The seminar was supported by the Centre in Astana and co-organized with the Kazakhstan International Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Twenty participants of the seminar discussed best practices and international experience and conducted interactive exercises. The course participants received a handbook in Kazakh and Russian languages “The Benefits of Education on Human Rights for Future Police Officers”. Police instructors who participated in the courses will subsequently train their peers in human rights matters.

“A central feature of a democratic police service is the rule of law and respect for human rights.  Transparency in policing and the development of dialogue and mutual understanding between the public and the police is an indispensable element of ensuring security and stability,” said Jeannette Kloetzer, Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

Results of the multi-year project supported by the OSCE Centre establishing human rights education as an integral part of the police schools’ and colleges’ curriculum were also discussed.

“This curriculum has become a key element in the training of the new generation of police officers in our schools. We intend to further enhance their professional knowledge and skills with respect to human rights protection,” said Daulen Akhmetov, Senior Inspector for the Special Assignment Department of Personnel at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The project is part of the Centre’s activities to support Kazakhstan in promoting democratic policing.