OSCE Centre in Astana launches seminar series to promote democratic policing

ASTANA, 19 May 2010 - A seminar series to introduce a human rights curriculum into police education institutions across Kazakhstan began today with the launch of an OSCE-supported human rights handbook for police schools.

The handbook was developed by the non-governmental organization Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law and the Interior Ministry with support from the OSCE Centre in Astana.

Thirty police school teachers, instructors and future trainers from non-governmental organizations from all over Kazakhstan are participating in the first seminar.

"This project will help build capacity, enhance the trainers' skills and ensure that future police officers better understand human rights and freedoms and the role of police in protecting them," said Jeannette Kloetzer, Deputy Head of the Centre. "The OSCE Centre is ready to further co-operate with the Interior Ministry and NGOs in the field of human rights education."

The seminars are part the OSCE Centre's initiative to develop a 16-hour human rights course and incorporate it into the police education system. The initiative includes train-the-trainer seminars for 400 police instructors from 13 police schools and three police colleges.

"One of the preconditions for developing democratic policing in Kazakhstan should be a solid human rights education," said Roza Akhylbekova, Acting Director of the Bureau.

During the three-day seminar, trainers will share information on international best practices and use case studies, brainstorming sessions, group discussions, video presentations as well as simulation games to support learning.

The project is part of Centre's multi-year efforts to promote democratic policing in Kazakhstan.