Tajik Ministry of Internal Affairs officials complete OSCE-organized training course on effective intervention in domestic violence cases

DUSHANBE, 19 February 2016 – A four-day training course organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan on effective intervention by police inspectors in domestic violence cases, concluded in Dushanbe today.    

The course brought together 25 participants from the Department for Protection of Public Order of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and inspectors from the Gender-Sensitive Police Units on Domestic Violence from Panjakent, Isfara, Khujand, Kumsangir, Kulyab, Kurgan-Tyube and Dushanbe.

Representatives from the Department of Internal Affairs, the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and media also took part in the course.

“The chance to prevent the escalation of violence can only happen if the police are informed at an early stage and their intervention takes place immediately,” said Wolfgang Nikolaus, Counter Terrorism and Police Issues Adviser at the OSCE Office.

Ali Bobonazarzoda, Tajik National Co-ordinator for Police Reform, said: “According to an order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we pay special attention to gender equality and the prevention of domestic violence.”

An international expert from Moldova and two national experts shared best practices on topics such as combating domestic violence, understanding the interconnection between domestic violence and gender balance, the difference between domestic conflict and domestic violence, the psychological profile of criminal offenders, and administrative penalties.

The course also covered aspects of Islamic culture, defining the relationship between couples and preventing domestic violence, international legal obligations in combating domestic violence and international standards for law enforcement agencies, co-operation between police inspectors and other organizations in assisting and protecting victims, and preventative measures.