OSCE, UNHCR train Afghan, Tajik law enforcement agencies on refugee and asylum seeker issues

DUSHANBE, 16 May 2014 – Twenty-six officers from Afghan and Tajik law enforcement agencies completed a training course today in Dushanbe organized by the OSCE and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on refugees and asylum seekers issues.

The one-week training was conducted by experts on refugees, migration and border management issues from UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the OSCE, held at the OSCE Office in Dushanbe.

The participants were composed of three representatives of Afghan Foreign Ministry, seven officers of the Afghan Border Police, one representative of the Tajik Foreign Ministry, ten officers from the Tajik Main Directorate Border Troops, two officers from the Tajik Customs Service, two officers from the Tajik Interior Ministry and one representative from the Tajik Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment.

The training highlighted asylum procedures, principles of international protection, determining refugee status and procedural standards, countering trans-border crimes and border management in emergencies.

“Enhancing border security on the Tajik-Afghan border through training of Border officers from both countries continues to be among OSCE’s priority projects,” said Hans Peter Larsen, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Kevin Allen, UNHCR Representative in Tajikistan encouraged participants to remember the human and individual aspects of their border management duties.

The event is part of a series of training courses aimed at developing the capacity of Tajik and Afghan border related agencies as well as improving cross-border co-operation in these countries.