ODIHR trains Uzbek law-enforcement officers on human rights and counter-terrorism policing

The importance of observing human rights standards to improve the effectiveness of counter-terrorism policing was the focus of a training workshop held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 25 and 26 June 2018.

Twenty men and two women from the Uzbek police and security services participated in the training, the first of this kind ODIHR has delivered in Central Asia. The dynamic and interactive training programme focused on a broad range of human rights questions connected to the operational aspects of counter-terrorism and law-enforcement activities. Participants analysed practical setbacks that may affect counter-terrorism policing if it is implemented in violation of human rights, and explored how the observance of international human rights standards can contribute to the overall effectiveness of policing.

Among other topics, the training touched upon the impact of human rights violations on officers, suspects and their families, the use of interviewing techniques that create trust and respect, the negative effects of stereotypes in counter-terrorism policing, as well as the importance of interacting with communities in countering terrorism to increase their support.

“Ongoing reform of the country’s institutional and normative frameworks, including in the security sector, is needed to fully guarantee human rights while countering terrorism. We stand ready to assist Uzbekistan in this endeavor,” said Johannes Heiler, ODIHR Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues. “A long-term commitment to human rights training for law-enforcement officers is an important element of any successful reform in this area. We invite the Uzbek authorities to benefit from the assistance we can offer, including technical advice on terrorism-related legislation and policies, to ensure their human rights compliance and support the reform agenda promoted by the authorities in these fields.”

ODIHR delivered the course on the basis of its standard training curriculum for counter-terrorism law-enforcement officers, Complying with Human Rights Standards and Effectively Countering Terrorism, following a pre-training assessment visit to Tashkent to tailor the course to the local context and needs.