Office in Baku

Background

The Police Assistance Programme of the OSCE Office in Baku (OiB) started in 2003 with a comprehensive needs assessment conducted by the OSCE Secretariat’s SPMU. The assessment identified four main areas of policing that required international support: the development of a community policing model; a review of the curriculum at the Centre for Police Induction Training; the introduction of best practice-based teaching methods; and the development and introduction of a modern curriculum for traffic police training. Since the initial introduction of the Programme, further projects have been implemented, addressing additional fields of policing such as the fight against organized crime, trafficking in human beings, cybercrime, and terrorism.

In 2013, the OiB also continued building the capacity of law enforcement officials in the fields of public assembly management and fighting domestic violence, in line with OSCE commitments and best practices in other OSCE participating States. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the Ministry of National Security (MNS) actively engaged in the events, organized by the OiB, including in-service trainings on public assembly management; anti-trafficking; domestic violence; cybercrime; organized crime; and terrorism.

Furthermore, the Office co-operated with the MIA and State Customs Committee in organizing training activities on controlled deliveries of drugs. The Office also continued promoting an exchange of best practices with other OSCE participating States.

In addition, the OiB facilitated the participation of Azerbaijani police in the OSCE Annual Police Experts Meeting in Vienna (see chapter 2.2) and organized three exchange visits to various OSCE participating States on the issues of organized crime and countering terrorism for middle and high ranking law-enforcement agencies.

At the end of 2013, the OiB transformed into the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku, in line with a Permanent Council decision adopted in July.

Public Assembly Management

In 2013, the OiB within the framework of its project “Support to Building Training Capacity in Public Assembly Management” printed some 200 copies of the Trainers Manual on Public Assembly Management (PAM) as well as related materials, including DVDs containing the visual training materials.

From 8-19 April, the OiB organized a ToT on “Public Assembly Management” for the staff of the MIA in Baku. Six police officers from Baku, six officers from Internal Troops and four police officers of the MIA of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (NAR) participated in a two-week programme developed and conducted in Baku by four experts from the Turkish National Police (TNP) and two from the Azerbaijani Police. The Trainers Manual developed in the previous phase of the project was the main reference material used during the training.

Trainers applied interactive methods intensively giving participants the opportunity to deliver short training sessions in the frame of the main sessions of the programme. As a result of the ToT, 16 mid-level officials of the Azerbaijani security agencies became PAM trainers and

were equipped with the Trainers Manual, associated training materials and the curricula to conduct PAM training in the future on their own.

In July, the OiB visited and conducted series of meetings with different units of the MIA including the Police Academy, Police School, District Police Department of Baku, the Headquarters of Internal Troops and the Headquarters of Rapid Reaction Teams, to present the Trainers Manual and to inform about the results of the ToT on PAM.

Counter-Terrorism

From 18-22 February, the OiB organized a one-week training course on “Terrorism Abusing Religion” and the process of radicalization leading to extremism for the staff of the MNS. The activity was conducted by three experts, selected from TNP. The experts lectured to 15 mid-level officials in Baku. The training covered topics such as Terminology; Religious Radicalisation; Al Qaeda presence in Global Hotspots; Arguments Leading to Extremism;

Investigation Techniques; and included a case study.

From 6-10 May, the OiB conducted a five-day specialized training for ten representatives of the MNS. The training on “Crisis and Negotiation Skills” was conducted by an international expert, and included a wide range of topics relevant to dealing with hostages and other terrorism-related crises, along with a presentation of international good practices in institutionalizing negotiation units within national police and security structures.

From 10-14 June, the OiB developed the second phase of the project and conducted

“Countering Separatist Terrorism” training in Istanbul for eleven MNS officials. The training was delivered by three experts selected from TNP, focusing on “Terminology; Ethnic Radicalisation; Structuring of Terrorist Groups in the Legal Area; Front Structure; Operational Planning; and Crises Management, Analysis and Reporting. The trainees from the Azerbaijani MNS recommended continuing the Office’s efforts for conducting similar trainings/workshops on countering terrorism.

Drug Trafficking

From 5-7 June, the OiB organized training for law enforcement agencies on “Controlled Deliveries of Drugs” in Baku. The training was specifically designed to build the capacity of selected personnel from the MIA and the State Customs Committee on modern special techniques and tactics related to the controlled delivery of drugs. Ten officers from the MIA and ten officers from the State Custom Committee successfully completed the training delivered by two international experts. Participants exchanged knowledge and expertise on specific topics of importance, including possible ways to improve organizational structures, reporting and liaison techniques, within and outside the investigation team, as well as delivery plans.

From 10-15 October, the OiB organized a study visit to Bulgaria for two representatives of the MIA and two representatives of the Customs Committee. The Azerbaijani delegation met with officers of the National Security and Customs Agencies of Bulgaria and discussed issues of common interest. They also visited the international Port of Burgas, the Kapıkule/Andreevo Border Crossing Point between Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as the Black Sea National Co-ordination Centre. The study visit enhanced the knowledge and skills of the participants in carrying out controlled Deliveries of drugs, allowing the law enforcement agencies to intercept and monitor the whole chain of drug distribution, in order to apprehend entire criminal organizations.

Trafficking in Human Beings

From 4-7 February, the OiB, as part of the project “Countering Human Trafficking and Forced Labour in Azerbaijan: Improvement Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Mechanisms”, organized a study visit to Berlin for high ranking Governmental officials and civil society organizations operating in the country’s counter-trafficking area. During the visit, the delegates had meetings in the Federal Ministry of Interior, Federal Foreign Office, Federal Ministry of Justice, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Berlin State Police, Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth and “KOK” a German nationwide co-ordination body against trafficking in women and violence against women in the process of migration. The visit aimed to study Germany’s practice in identifying and prosecuting human trafficking and forced labour, and assistance available to trafficked victims.

From 27-28 February, the OiB, in co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), organized a two-day workshop in Baku for labour inspectors, migration officers and illegal migration police officers on asylum and human trafficking.

Participants, including four representatives from the MIA, discussed issues related to asylum and labour exploitation, including the role of civil society in the protection of asylum seekers, stateless and trafficked persons, victim control methods and the applicable international and national legal frameworks.

On 27 May, the OiB participated in a roundtable discussion organized by the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and the Anti-Trafficking Department of the MIA. The roundtable focused on the international support to the development of a new National Action Plan (NAP) for the fight against THB in Azerbaijan. The OiB recommended a set of structural and contextual amendments to the NAP, which included the reinforcement of the role of civil society, and the development of mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the country’s measures against THB. The OiB was invited to submit its written recommendations to the Government of Azerbaijan. Thus, upon the request of the host Government, the Office developed a set of recommendations to the draft of the new National Action Plan to Fight Human Trafficking and draft Rules on Repatriation of Trafficked Persons. The draft of the third new NAP to fight THB includes the recommendations from the project on capacity building activities for migration and border officers on safe and voluntary return/repatriation of trafficked victims; as well as recommendations for the development of a plan for vocational training for children graduating from child institutions, such as child houses, boarding schools and shelters.

In an effort to improve the ordination of referral and return processes, the OiB, in co-operation with IOM and the UNHCR, conducted a workshop for police, border and immigration officers in Baku on 18 April. Participants discussed various forms of THB, the identification and protection of trafficked persons among asylum seekers, irregular migrants and refugees as well as the principles of voluntary return and re-integration after return. The OiB continued conducting similar events in Guba and Lankaran. On 1-2 August, the OiB, in co-operation with IOM and the UNHCR, conducted another joint training on the co-ordination, referral and return processes of trafficked persons, asylum seekers and irregular migrants.

These training activities provided participants, including more than 30 police, immigration and border officials as well as representatives from local executive committees, with information on the domestic and international legal frameworks to counter trafficking, as well as on the rights of asylum seekers and the States’ obligation of “non-refoulement”.

From 10-11 June, the OiB facilitated the participation of Azerbaijani Government representatives from the MIA, State Migration Service, General Prosecutor’s Office, State Border Service, as well as civil society representatives in the international conference on

“Strengthening the OSCE Response to Trafficking in Human Beings” held in Kyiv. The Conference brought together high-level representatives from all 57 OSCE participating States to review the existing OSCE mechanisms to counter THB and to further enhance the

political will of the participating States to address the current forms of THB. Participants focused on child trafficking and potential risk groups among street and undocumented children. In conclusion, Participants discussed an addendum to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.

From 25-26 June, the OiB facilitated the participation of a group of Azerbaijani Government representatives comprising police, migration officers and prosecutors, as well as civil society members in the 13^th Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference on “Stolen Lives, Stolen Money: The Price of Modern-Day Slavery” held in Vienna, Austria (see also chapter 3.3).

Cybercrime

In 2013, the OiB hired an international expert to develop a situation analysis on effective responses to counter cybercrime in Azerbaijan’s context. In March, the expert drafted a report after extensive meetings with competent institutions and the private sector. The report includes an analysis of the current situation as well as recommendations for the host country’s relevant agencies. In the course of the meetings the Azerbaijani interlocutors, especially the Ministries of National Security, Internal Affairs and Justice welcomed the initiative. Furthermore, the expert prepared a training curriculum to be implemented throughout the year.

Domestic Violence

The OiB, in its efforts to support implementation of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prevention of Domestic Violence, and in co-operation with the MIA and the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs (SCFWCA), organized a two-day workshop for social workers and police representatives on the role of social workers and police in prevention of domestic violence. Ten police officers and ten social workers from different regions and Baku, working in the field of domestic violence, attended the workshop. Two international experts, together with one national expert conducted the workshop. Main topics of the workshop included the ways of strengthening communication between police and social workers in preventing and combatting domestic violence, as well as an overview of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prevention of Domestic Violence and perspectives of the CoE Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. Furthermore, participants discussed the standard operating procedures in domestic violence cases, victim treatment and protection, interventions and investigation, social services and shelters, etc. The workshop also covered group works where police officers and social workers worked together and analyzed case studies.

In August, the OiB conducted two one-day training courses for police officers of Baku District Police Departments and the Baku Chief Police Department. A local lawyer, together with representatives of the MIA and SCFWCA addressed legal and socio-cultural aspects regarding implementation of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prevention of Domestic Violence with a special focus on the role and duties of the police in preventing and combating domestic violence. 30 police representatives participated in the training.

In September, the OiB - following the evaluation of the outcomes of the above training courses and the update of the training programme for police officers working in the regions -, together with the local expert and a representative from the MIA, conducted two one-day regional training courses for police officers on the prevention of domestic violence in the two regions of Sheki and Lankaran. 50 police representatives from Sheki and Lankaran City Police Units and 16 neighbouring district police departments discussed the role and duties of police officers in preventing and combating domestic violence under the national legislation.

Police officers worked together in groups on particular case studies related to domestic

violence cases with and without criminal elements, in accordance with relevant decrees and legislation.

In November, the OiB conducted a one-day regional training in Guba city for police officers, which was followed by a one-day regional training in Ganja city. Overall, 40 police officers representing 14 neighboring cities and districts participated in the trainings. The OiB introduced its newly published booklet and provided representatives of each city and district police departments with a number of booklets for further use and dissemination among their colleagues.

From 10-11 December, the OiB, in close co-operation with the MIA of NAR, conducted the last regional training activity in Nakhchivan city for police officers on the prevention of domestic violence. 30 police officials representing all cities and districts of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic participated in the training.

Overall, these training activities aimed, in particular, at raising awareness of police regarding Presidential decrees and decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers as well as other applicable legislative acts related to domestic violence in the context of facilitating the effective implementation of the national legal framework. In addition, the local expert, together with the OiB staff members, provided examples of best practices applied in other OSCE participating States. As a result, more than 160 police officers representing around 30 cities and districts of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic gained new knowledge and skills on how to deal effectively with domestic violence cases, as well as communicate and work with social service providers in victims’ referral and protection.

Road Safety

On 21 October, the OiB participated in an event organized at one of the Baku secondary schools devoted to the topic of “Road Safety and Traffic Management”. The representatives from the Baku city Main Police Department – Traffic Police Division and Division for the Work with Teenagers – were present at the meeting. The speakers delivered presentations on road safety rules and answered school-children’s questions. Following the meeting, the Office discussed with the school management and police officers its initiatives to organize a series of activities to support the host country’s efforts in raising awareness among the population on road safety and traffic rules.

On 25 November, the OiB started an awareness-raising campaign on road safety for school children and their teachers. 2,500 children and 200 teachers participated in events organized in co-operation with the Ministries of Interior and Education at 21 secondary schools of the capital Baku. Locally hired experts delivered presentations to primary school teachers on children’s traffic safety issues, covering practical awareness-raising steps as well as relevant online resources. Presentations were made to school children on basic traffic rules, with a particular focus on advice for pedestrians and vehicle passengers. Traffic police officers were present at the events to give advice and answer questions. The presentations were followed by a special event in the schoolyard to display a simulator chair, which demonstrated the advantages of wearing seat belts. In the end of the event in each school, the Office distributed booklets on road safety and other promotional items reflecting the project’s messages.

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