Community Security Initiative concludes in Kyrgyzstan

The OSCE concludes the Community Security Initiative project, which started in the summer of 2010 following violence, largely along interethnic lines, in southern Kyrgyzstan. The project aimed to help the country’s leadership to reduce tensions and address the root causes of the conflict. Operating in 15 different regions of the country, unarmed police advisors sent by OSCE participating States strengthened and improved professionalism, knowledge and capacities of the local police officers. Utilizing 18 Mobile Police Receptions OSCE experts and local police established an efficient mechanism which provided the citizens with easy access to police services. The OSCE also provided training courses for about 2,500 police officers developing their community policing skills while advising on the integration of multiethnic policing practices as well as respect for and promotion of human rights.