Regular meeting of the Working Sub-Group in Khujand

On 18 August 2014 a regular meeting of the Working Sub-Group on Civil Society Assistance to Police Reform was held in the premises of the OSCE Field Office in Khujand.

The meeting was attended by the civil society representatives of the Soghd region: lawyers, NGOs’ representatives, human rights defenders, as well the Police Reform National Team of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan (OiT).

During the meeting, the participants were informed about the progress of the Draft Provision of the Public Council on Civil Society Assistance to Police Reform (hereinafter – the Provision), as well as the Draft Law of Tajikistan “On Police.”

It was mentioned that in accordance with the decision made at the regular meeting of the Police Reform Steering Group (political level), a Working Group was created by Order of the Minister of Internal Affairs in order to finalize the Draft Provision. Moreover, the responsible employees from the MIA are tasked to determine the offices in all Departments of Internal Affairs to accommodate the Public Councils and start preparation for organization of the National Round Table on the "Civil Society Assistance to Police Reform."

The participants were informed that in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, from 3 May 2014, No.296, the following two documents are approved: the Police Reform Program and Action Plan for its implementation.According to these documents, development of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Police" is envisaged during the first stage. Its adoption will be followed by changes in a short period of time in the name of the “militia”, personnel policy, definition of the police main functions and tasks.A Draft Law of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Police" is already developed by the MIA Working Group, which was posted on the MIA website on 20 May 2014.

At the meeting, the members of the Police Reform National Team of the OSCE OiT have asked the civil society representatives from Soghd region, specialists and experts and human rights defenders to be engaged actively in the process of elaboration and discussion of the fundamental draft Law, which further will determine the entire police reform progress.

The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.