Police Reform

Regular Summit of CIS Ministers of Internal Affairs in Baku

The delegation of the MIA of Tajikistan took participation in the next meeting of the Ministerial Council of Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) from 6 to 8 September 2012 inBaku,Azerbaijan.

The delegations from the MIA of Belarus,Kazakhstan,KyrgyzRepublic,Moldova,Russia,Turkmenistan,UzbekistanandUkrainealso arrived inBaku. Besides the MIA delegations from CIS countries, the delegations of the CIS Executive Committee, Antiterrorist center (ATC) of the CIS Member States, Office for the Coordination of the Fight Against Organized Crime and Other Dangerous Types of Crimes (BKBOP) on the territory of CIS Member States, participated in the meeting as well.

For reference: The Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs of the CIS member states (CMIA) was established by the Decision of the Council of Heads of CIS member states on 19 January 1996 with the purpose of cooperation and coordination of actions while combating crime.

The CMIA includes the Ministers of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The representatives of Turkmenistan participated as observers.

The functions of the operational apparatus are performed by the BKBOP.

In its activities, the CMIA is guided by the CIS Regulations, by decisions of the Council of CIS Heads, of the Council of CIS Heads of Government and by the CMIA Provision.

Bakuhas met us friendly by warm weather.Bakuis a city of contrasts, which stunned us by its ancient fortress-walls and towers along with modern skyscrapers. When our delegation departed from the international airport named by Heydar Aliev, whose official title inAzerbaijanis “National Leader of Azerbaijan People,” it has already started getting dark andBaku“sparked up” by trillions of lights. Each apartment building was brightening by colored searchlights, and the skyscrapers in the downtown were reviving by pictures: the national flag was getting replaced by sight photos ofBakuor simply by beautiful colorful pictures.

We walked down thePrimorskiy Boulevard, which stretches out on many kilometers along the seaside. The boulevard vividly decorated by chestnuts, sycamores, and palms. Plenty of modern cafes and restaurants, cinemas and fountains are located at the boulevard. The famous hotels and the building of the Government are located right in front of the boulevard, and Old Baku, which is also known as “Bakinskiy Acropolis,” is located opposite the Yacht Club, where we have tasted Azerbaijan cuisine.

In fact, this is a historico-architectural reserve. There is a reserved fortress, which is named “Icherishekher” (XII century), which consisted of more than 10 mosques, built in different times, starting from 1078 – by Muhammad Ibn Abu Bakr, Mirzo Akhmed (1345), Mulla Akhmed (XIV century), Dzhuma (XV-XX centuries), Lezgi (1169), the Mosque-Medrese (1646-1647) and others. The Palace of Shirvanshakh dynasty (XV century) is located nearby, the architectural complex of which includes the palace itself, divankhane (meeting room with foreign Ambassadors), the palace mosque with a minaret, the Mausoleum of Seyid Yakh’ya Bakuvi, the burial vault of Shirvanshakhs, the Eastern portal, and the bathhouse of Gadzhi Gaeeb. We saw the minaret of Synyk-Kal (XI century), “the Baeel Stones” (XIII century), the mausoleum of Seyid Yakh’ya Bakuvi, the bathhouses (XV-XIX centuries), the mall (XVI-XVII centuries), the House of Bakinskiy khans (XVIII century), as well as numerous rich buildings of the XIX century, decorated by complicated ornaments and patterns.

The essential part of the ancient town was also caravan serais: the Bukharian, the Khan’s (XV century), Multani (XV century), Kasym-bek, as well as theMarket Square. This whole architectural magnificence is crowned by famous “MaidenTower” (“Gyz Galasy”), built in VII-XII centuries, although scientists still argue about the true age of this beauty. It is one of the largest Zoroastrian temples of the world: 28 meters in height, with 8 tiers, where more than 200 people could seek shelter, the temple rises above the South-Eastern part of the fortress. In XIII century, it served as the main fortification construction of the city and in 1858 had lighted beacons for ships. The “Maiden Girls” means “unbowed” and “inaccessible.” The local police officers have told us a legend about the tower. “The shakh fell in love with his daughter and decided to marry her. Horrified from the forthcoming marriage with her father, and desiring to dissuade him, the daughter asked to build a tower, thinking that during the construction her father will change his mind. But the shakh did not change his mind. Then, the daughter went up to the tower and jumped into the sea.”

But! As one known satirist said, “All good once ends,” and the opening ceremony of CMIA meeting started on the next day, 7 September. The ceremony was opened by the Prime-Minister of Azerbaijan Arthur Taeer Ogly Rasi-zade, who noted at his speech that “the main role of internal affairs agencies, of police - to protect the lives and health of people, their rights and freedoms and rights, the legitimate interests and property, to protect the state, legal and physical persons from illegal actions, and that police of Azerbaijan manages handling the assigned task with honour. According to Rasi-zade, “the crime rate inAzerbaijanis 250 crimes per 100,000 populations.” He noted that an improvement of intergovernmental cooperation is one of the priority directions of a modern and adequate approach to current threats and challenges, to public order and the joint fight against crime. “Productive work on prevention of extremism, international terrorism and transnational organized crime expansion is carried out on the CIS territory during the past several years. Serious crimes were solved, and thousands of internally and internationally wanted individuals were detained at special operations thanks to the joint efforts. As a result of investigation and search operations by general concerted efforts, hundreds of criminal groups were revealed,” emphasized the Prime-Minister.

The Director of the BKBOP Nikolay Ovchinnikov spoke on behalf of the CMIA Chairperson, the Head of Police of theRepublicofArmenia, Vladimir Gasparyan, whose delegation did not arrive to the meeting due to problems in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations. Mr. Ovchinnikov informed on the agenda of the meeting, as well as about the performed work after the last meeting. The discussion of priority directions of cooperation in the areas of combating organized crime and international terrorism, increasing effectiveness of joint measures in the field of public order protection is planned during the two-day meeting, noted Mr. Ovchinnikov. He also delegated the CMIA Chairperson’s authorities to the Minster of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, Mr. Usubov Ramil Idris Ogly. 

For reference: The Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Usubov Ramil Idris Ogly was born in Khodzhalin district of Azerbaijan in 1948. He finished the Secondary Special School of Police named after N. Rzaev in 1973, and in 1980 – graduated from the MIA Academy of the USSR. After the conscription service in the Armed Forces of the USSR, he joined the internal affairs services from 1970. Mr. Usubov worked in the Criminal Investigation Department, and in 1975 he became the Head of Criminal Investigation Division in Shushin disctrict Police Department from 1980 to 1984 – Deputy Head of the Directory of Internal Affairs of Nagorny Karabakh Autonomous region. In the period of 1984-1987, he worked as the Head of Ali-Bayramlin city Department of Internal Affairs.

In 1987, he was appointed for the position of Minister of Internal Affairs of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, from 1989 to 1993 worked as the Head of Criminal Investigation Department, the Head of Visa and Registration Department, and as the Head of Unit of Human Resources Directorate of the MIA of Azerbaijan.

By the Decree of the Chairperson of the Supreme Council of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic from 11 August 1993, Mr. Usubov was appointed to the position of Minister of Internal Affairs of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, and afterwards, by the Decree #140 of the President of Azerbaijan Republic from 29 April 1994, was appointed as the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In January 2002, by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan, Usubov promoted to the rank of Colonel General.

The participants of the meeting were greeted by the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of CIS, Mr. S. Lebedev, as well as by the General Secretary of Interpol Ronald K. Noble. The heads of delegations, including the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Major General Nurillo Oripov, reported about foreground issues of cooperation between the ministries of internal affairs and about the progress in the implementation of interstate programs on combating crime,. In his speech, Mr. Oripov outlined that the “MIA of Tajikistan attaches the utmost importance to further development of practical cooperation with the ministries and police structures of CIS member countries, and of course, counts on further and productive consolidation of our efforts in combating international terrorism, organized crime, other types of extremism, illegal drug and human trafficking.”

Emphasizing the most significant results of internal affairs agencies’ activities of Tajikistan, he marked good joint work with the MIA of the Russian Federation in the investigation area of wanted individuals, fugitives from the court and investigation, and expressed the gratitude for cooperation to the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Kolokoltsev. “In turn, the Internal Affairs Agencies of Tajikistan have identified 208 individuals, who are wanted by CIS law enforcement agencies, while 186 of them were in search by the Russian Federation law enforcement agencies, 17 – by the Republic of Uzbekistan, 2 – by the MIA of Kyrgyzstan, 1 – per law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan,” stated Oripov at his speech.

Tajikistanhas positive results in implementing of the “Cooperation Program of CIS Member States in Combating Illegal Narcotics (prescription drugs), Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors, and Combating Drug Addiction for 2011-2013.” The internal affairs agencies ofTajikistancarried out 7 controlled drug deliveries together with the counterparts from theRussian Federation, which facilitated seizure of illegal trafficking of 37 kg of heroine.

According to Mr. Oripov, “generally, the Tajik law enforcement agencies had withdrawn from illegal drug trafficking 7 tons and 622 kg of narcotics, including 871 kg of heroine for the reviewed period. Moreover, in co-operation with law enforcement agencies of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 36 operations were conducted in thenorthern provincesofAfghanistan, in the course of which 42 smugglers were detained, 617 kg of drugs were seized and destroyed, and 4 underground labs for heroine production were liquidated.”

During the speech, the head of Tajik delegation also focused on some problematic issues of cooperation, by noting that their resolution would enable to increase the efficiency of cooperation between the MIAs of CIS in combating crime. “First of all, it is an issue of using operational and undercover staff in the territory of other country in accordance with the legislation. The legal and regulatory frame of such co-operation must envisage issues, such as respect for and protection of human rights of our countries, who are engaged in conducting operational-investigation activities in the territory of a foreign country, as well as of the internal affairs staff;  the issues of funding of operational-investigation activities, and remuneration for undercover staff. The development of legal settlement of cooperation in this direction should be implemented taking into account the legislation of our countries both in the areas of operational- investigation and criminal procedure activities, - noted Mr. Oripov”

Meanwhile, according to Mr. Oripov, “the results of joint scientific researches and developments concerning the matters of combating crime should be the basis of cooperation of the CIS MIAs.” In this regard, the MIA of Tajikistan has suggested “to initiate concerted design of a law pattern on police by using its basic provisions in the national legislation, as well as to conduct a scientific and practical conference on the level of CIS member states regarding reforms of the internal affairs system.”

At the meeting 8 more issues, including “On Project design of Intergovernmental program of joint measures on combating crime for the period of 2014-2018, and Cooperation Program of CIS Member States in Combating Illegal Trafficking of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors, and Combating Drug Addiction for 2014-2018”, “On drafting the Concept on Cooperation Development of CIS Member States’ Police”, “On drafting document, defining the procedure of intergovernmental investigation of individuals,” “On Provision of CMIA Representative of the CIS Member States at the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States,” and other issues were reviewed.

After completion of the meeting, the delegations headed to the Alley of honorable burial to wreath-lay on the grave of the National Leader of People of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliev, further the heads of delegations had a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliev. In his speech, Mr. Ilham Aliev noted, that “the CMIA plays crucial role in joint resistance to modern challenges and threats in the Commonwealth of Independent States territory.”

“The notions of constructivism and high level of confidence are firmly established within the CMIA activity, which allows discussing the most complex issues in substantial manner, coordinating efforts in combating organized crime and strengthening the security and stability in other areas. I am convinced that achieved level of cooperation will enable the Council of Ministers of Internal Affairs to solve successfully crucial problems on further strengthening of stability and security in the CIS territory,” said Mr. Aliev.

On the next day, after the approval of the meeting’s minutes, heads of delegations have signed the draft of the CMIA Decisions, and based on the results of the session, had a press-conference. On this note, the regular CMIA meeting has completed its work, but our introduction toAzerbaijanhas continued.

All the delegation members were driven to the Recreational andRehabilitationCenter“Khazri” of the MIA of Azerbaijan, which is located on the Caspian shore. The center, which is built on the territory of 13.5 hectares, includes a seven-floor main building with 328 rooms, 8 two-floor buildings, a conference-hall, sports ground, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, special beach ground, public catering places on the seaside and other places of recreation, as well as a entertainment center for kids. The overall area of buildings and constructions is 30,000 square meters. Tree and shrub plantings – palms, chestnuts and other beautiful trees widely spread their branches, making fresh shadows, which stretch along the sea shore, and in front of the center. 

Yes, the country with gold and monetary reserves of $44 billion, according to Usubov, can afford such an “expensive” police. People in Azerbaijan remember a proverb “nothing costs the state so expensive than the cheap police.” An annual budget of the MIA of Azerbaijan is approximately $330 million, while the first line police staff, who just joined the internal affairs agencies, gets a salary in net equivalent to $500. The President of Azerbaijan has approved the State Program on Improving Police Activities, which envisages the resolution of objectives, such as salary increase of internal affairs staff for several times, improvement of their living conditions and activities, public awareness raising on the role of police in a democratic society, enhancement of logistic base, and creation of crucial infrastructures of internal affairs agencies. This program is being implemented successfully: only for the past three years in total 64 administrative buildings were constructed and put in commission for the structural apparatus of the Ministry, of territorial police agencies and educational institutions, including 33 administrative buildings of city, district police departments and units, 9 regional passport issuance centers, presidios, dorms for officers and soldiers of Internal Troops, administrative and educational buildings of Higher Military School, a helipad, 6 building residences for police staff and servicemen, recreational center, mentioned above by me and others.