OSCE Office in Tajikistan supports training course on effective public order management during mass events

DUSHANBE, 24 July 2015 – A four-day training course, supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, on effective public order management during mass events concluded today at the OSCE Office’s premises.

The course aimed at improving skills of some 24 senior managers and commanders of the Special Forces of the Internal Affairs Ministry from Dushanbe and surrounding regions in effectively managing public order during mass events whilst retaining the respect for human rights, liberties of citizens and other democratic policing principles.

They covered topics ranging from national legislation, international law, human rights, and gender issues to applied tactics in cases of violent and non-violent gatherings.

“Ensuring human rights in public order management during mass events, meetings and demonstrations is the core element of police activity, and hence it is crucially important to be familiarized with the best practices on crowd control,” said Alijon Bobonazarzoda, National Co-ordinator on Police Reform in Tajikistan. “This should lead to the development of an instruction on procedures during mass events in Tajikistan in order to ensure public security based on international standards and practices.”

Inspector of the Swedish National Police, Martin Svensson, who led the training alongside a colleague from Germany, said, “We are glad to share the experiences in how our countries ensure the right to peaceful assembly, and are pleased to see a genuine interest on the side of the Tajik police to acquire knowledge and new approaches.”

The participants were also introduced to the principles of successful planning and operations in major events; the legal framework for policing gatherings in Germany and Sweden; the importance of respecting human rights by the police, as well as standard police measures applied during demonstrations, assemblies and mass sport events.