OSCE, Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry support formation of Public Council for police reform

DUSHANBE, 22 January 2015 – An OSCE-supported roundtable today concluded the work of civil society representatives on the formation of the Public Council for police reform assistance in Kulyab and Kurgan-Tyube of Khatlon region in Tajikistan.

The one-day roundtable brought together some 15 representatives of local public organizations based in Kulyab and 20 representatives of Kurgan-Tyube, as well as locals. They discussed the procedures of membership applications to the Public Council and made a list of candidates from civil society wishing to join and work on police reform.

“Law enforcement development, trust-building between the police and community depends on the active participation of civil society in the reform process,” said Peter Hajnik, Counter Terrorism and Police Adviser at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Mahmadiev Khaydar, National Liaison Officer on Police Reform at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, said: “Only the Public Council as a platform can actually enable citizens of Tajikistan to participate in the Tajik police reform process, while ensuring the rule of law, protection of human rights and freedoms in its activities, and strengthening the legal and democratic state in Tajikistan.”

The Office also informed civil society on the deadline for last remarks and comments around the Draft Law on Police, on 1 March 2015.

The round table was organized in conjunction with Kulyab Field Office on the initiative of the Interior Ministry of Tajikistan. Similar meetings will be conducted by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan in Garm on 27 January and in Khujand on 30 January 2015.