Police Reform

Capacity building of the Anti-Terrorist Unit of Tajik Ministry of Internal Affairs by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan

From 9 to 19 June, the OSCE Office in Tajikistan (OiT) organized a ten-day field training in Rasht for Anti-Terrorist Unit (OMON) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The training was conducted by three experts from the Special Services for VIP personnel protection of the General Department of French National Police of France. 61 personnel from the Special Forces of the MIA attended the training within the framework of the OSCE OiT counter terrorism program, which is implemented in Tajikistan over the past three years and is aimed at the capacity building of the MIA staff in combating the threats of terrorism. During the training, participants from the OMON learnt the tactics of the VIP person’s protection at a close distance, threat analysis, risk and potential threats assessment, and the respect for human rights and legislation in counter-terrorism and special operations. “The OSCE OiT provides assistance to the MIA RT staff to improve their knowledge, practical and professional skills through exchange of experiences with colleagues from other OSCE participating States,” said Mr. Alastair Livingston, Head of the Political-Military Department of the OSCE OiT. “The need for tactical training is so crucial now than ever before. The relevant organization should be properly trained, equipped and highly motivated. The law enforcement agencies also should be able to perform a number of tasks at any time of quite certain and systematically tactical decision making process. This means that a rapid response and the ability to block the situation, as well as the expectation of further reinforcement or, if necessary, the crisis resolution,'' emphasized Mr. Ulf Billving, Counter Terrorism and Police Adviser. At the ceremony of awarding certificates to the trainees, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Abdullo Navjuvonov in his speech noted that "the lessons learned will be used in the practical activities of the MIA, as in the process of police reform the MIA of Tajikistan plans to set up a special unit on the state protection of victims, witnesses and other participants in the criminal proceedings. In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan, which regulates these issues, a physical protection of participants in the proceedings is envisaged, i.e. everything that was taught to our staff in Rasht for almost two weeks, " stressed the General Navdjuvonov. According to him, the training will also facilitate the staff of the MIA units to perform the set tasks within the framework of the fight against terrorism and extremism. "They have got additional knowledge on human rights in the context of counter terrorism, the rule of law issues and it is clear – the police reform in Tajikistan is aimed namely at the respect and protection of rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of all citizens, residing or temporarily staying in Tajikistan," said in the conclusion the Deputy Minister.