4.12 The OSCE Centre in Bishkek Background The OSCE Centre in Bishkek (CiB) was established in 1998 to promote the implementation of OSCE commitments, facilitate the exchange of information, establish and maintain contacts with local authorities, universities, research institutions and NGOs, and encourage Kyrgyzstan's further integration into the OSCE community. Implementation of the Police Assistance Programme started in 2003. The Interim Police Assistance Programme, established in 2005, aimed to prepare the ground for continued progress towards deep structural reform of Kyrgyzstan’s police system and to strengthen the institutional and implementation capacities of certain police units. Since 2007, the Police Reform Programme (PRP) has become an integrated part of the Unified Budget of the CiB. Funding from the Unified Budget has therefore increased the longer-term effectiveness of the Programme and allowed more efficient monitoring of the planning and implementation of the Programme. The PRP has been a crucial factor for Kyrgyzstan’s public security, especially in light of the events of April/June 2010, as well as in the reform process of the entire criminal justice sector. The PRP lobbies for comprehensive reform at all levels of Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement bodies in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The Ministry of Interior (MoI) had previously lacked action plans for implementing any of the abandoned strategies to reform the law enforcement bodies over the previous 9 years. This shortcoming was further aggravated by successive Governments failing to fully support changes within the MoI. This lack of political will and the Ministry’s resistance to reform have resulted in little progress in promoting the mechanisms and institutions designed to further transparency, accountability and civilian oversight. Kyrgyzstan remains in the recovery and development process with many political changes and reforms. 2012 was no different and, due to the collapse of parliamentary coalitions and a change of the Government composition, political stability presented a challenging environment. The CiB remains committed to fostering a relationship of mutual trust, confidence and partnership between law enforcement authorities and civil society. Through the PRP, the CiB aims to develop a professional, transparent, accountable service to civil society; through structural changes, the tackling of crime and fostering community engagement. Existing problems of low levels of legitimacy affecting law enforcement bodies, the diminished trust of police and poor co-operation did not significantly improve but the CiB was able to increase co-operation across all partners and to build a partnership with both the Parliamentary and Government committees covering law enforcement. This development was partnered with increasing direct co-operation support to civil society representatives. This represents a distinct change from approaching all reforms solely through the MoI and its personnel. During this time, the Kyrgyz government through the presidential leadership began to address the provision of opportunities to enhance civil society participation in the protection and promotion of human rights. The PRP facilitated this co-operation platform between Government and civil society representatives to further promote the police reform process. 128