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OSCE/ODIHR training for police on effective and human rights compliant policing in relation to Roma and Sinti communities, Warsaw, Poland

Description

This pilot training is developed by ODIHR in co-operation with the TNTD/SPMU, based on the guidebook on good practices in building trust and understanding between the police and Roma and Sinti, published by the SPMU and ODIHR in 2010.

Summary

The ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues (CPRSI) is currently working on developing a training curriculum and trainers’ manual for law enforcement on effective and human rights compliant policing in relation to Roma and Sinti communities.

In line with the OSCE mandate given by the 2003 Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, in particular with regard to the recommendations relating to police (Recommendations 26 – 35), this initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of police officers in complying with OSCE and international human rights standards and to improve relations and build trust between police and Roma and Sinti at local level.

In 2010, in co-operation with the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU), the CPRSI published the OSCE manual Police and Roma and Sinti: Good Practices in Building Trust and Understanding , which identifies principles and good practices to improve relations between police and Roma and Sinti communities. In 2014, in co-operation with the SPMU and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), the CPRSI organized an expert meeting on “Police and Roma and Sinti - Current Challenges and Good Practices in Building Trust and Understanding”, to review the relevance, use and practical application of the aforementioned OSCE manual on police and Roma and Sinti by examining the current challenges faced by Roma and Sinti and developments since 2010.

As a result of the meeting and in view of the conclusions of ODIHR’s monitoring work the CPRSI engaged last year in developing a training curriculum and trainers’ manual for law enforcement to promote human rights compliant policing with regard to Roma and Sinti communities at the local level.

This training tool will serve ODIHR to promote good relations between law enforcement and Roma and Sinti and enhance the safety of Roma and Sinti communities, including Roma and Sinti women. ODIHR will introduce the tool to the OSCE participating States and conduct training activities upon request from OSCE participating States and/or OSCE field operations. The training will be general and allow for further adaptation following a country specific needs assessment conducted prior to the training. It will be operational and interactive and will account for a gender sensitive approach.

In February this year, ODIHR piloted the training for police on effective and human rights compliant policing in relation to Roma and Sinti communities, in Bucharest, Romania.

The training will be held in English language.

Up to 14 police officers from the OSCE area will be invited to attend the event, based on the following selection criteria:

  • Proven experience working with Roma and Sinti communities and/or supervising officers who work in Roma and Sinti communities;
  • Hold a senior position, at least at lieutenant level within the police forces in one of the OSCE participating States;
  • Speak fluent English language;
  • Having experience in training law enforcement officials is an advantage.

Detailed information on how to apply for participation in the training can be found in the attached document "Call for Applications".