OSCE Centre supports training seminar for law enforcement staff in Kazakhstan on combating terrorism

ASTANA, 21 July 2011 – An OSCE-supported two-day distance learning seminar on countering terrorism and extremism for Kazakhstani prosecutors and other law enforcement staff began today.

Some 450 law enforcement officers from all regions of Kazakhstan are taking part in the online seminar.

Local law enforcement practitioners, national experts and guest speakers from Russia and Turkey will share their experience and best practices in combating terrorism and violent extremism, identifying trends and devising effective prevention measures. The seminar will also cover issues related to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, investigation methodologies, areas of international co-operation and mutual legal assistance.

"The OSCE stands for dialogue and co-operation in addressing security challenges of the 21st century. Preventing and combating terrorism require strong determination, a capacity for action and integrated strategies which adhere to the rule of law as established in a democratic society," said Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “Holding the seminar online enables us to offer training efficiently and to reach out to as many regional participants as possible.”

Andrey Kravchenko, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prosecutor General said: "Terrorism is an important contemporary challenge, and this on-line seminar will help enhance our staff's professional knowledge in preventing and fighting terrorism and extremism and provide them with a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and good practices with experts from the Russian Federation and Turkey."

The seminar is part of the OSCE Centre's long-term co-operation with the Training Institute of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan and marks the first online conference in a series of training events that have been co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana since the beginning of the year.