OSCE continues training police on public assembly management in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, 18 September 2015 – An OSCE-supported two-day training seminar for police officers on best practices in managing public assemblies concluded today in Almaty. The event followed a similar seminar held on 14-15 September in Astana, Kazakhstan. Both seminars were co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Interior Ministry with the extra-budgetary support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.

Experts from Germany, Lithuania and the United Kingdom presented to some 40 mid- and high-level administrative police officers nationwide international standards, safe tactics and the legal basis for managing public assemblies.

Topics included the role of law enforcement in maintaining public order and security during public events, structure and organization of special police units to manage large groups, pre-emptive strategies and de-escalation tactics for crowd management. Representatives of NGOs, football clubs and Public Councils under the Internal Affairs Departments explained with practical examples the benefits of partnership with civil society and the importance of protecting the rights of journalists in managing public assemblies as well as the use of stewarding at sporting events.

Regulations and techniques in using non-lethal weapons in the case of disturbances and police practices in view of the upcoming EXPO-2017 international exhibition in Astana were discussed as well. Participants were also engaged in exercises on tactics and procedures.

Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana said: “The police should always make respect for human rights and the protection of life their top priority. In situations that require the use of force, police officers should always base their actions upon the principles of proportionality of force used, its intensity, duration and scope, and should focus on the legitimate aim in maintaining public order.”

Col. Batyrlan Essenbay, Deputy Head of the Astana Internal Affairs Department said: “Kazakhstan will host a number of large-scale events from football matches to EXPO-2017. Therefore, we need to learn and implement best international practices and tactics in managing public assemblies with an emphasis on protecting people and their constitutional rights.”

The event is a follow-up to last year’s initial seminar on public assembly management. It is part of the Programme Office’s efforts to promote democratic policing.