POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS central ASIA From 4 to 6 February, in co-operation with TNTD/BSMU, the PCUz organized a workshop in Tashkent to provide legislative and technical support for the establishment of an API system. During the event, the participants discussed all recommendations included in the Roadmap for Establishing an API system, as well as the progress made in API implementation. In total, 13 members of the Inter-Agency WG, responsible for the API implementation, participated in the workshop, consisting of representatives from the MoI, State Border Committee, State Customs Committee, State Tourism Committee and Civil Aviation Authority. On 6 March, the PCUz organized a training course in Tashkent for 37 students from the Journalism Department of the State University of World Languages on developing their skills in covering topics related to VERLT. The training was conducted by national experts and focused on the capacities of journalists in using modern multimedia technology in reaching out to young people, with a focus placed on security aspects in journalistic research, reporting on terrorist acts and improving the legal culture in society. On 25 and 26 March, the PCUz facilitated the participation of two representatives from the SSS and CSO Centre for Studying Regional Threats at the OSCE Chairmanship organized OSCE-wide counter-terrorism conference on “Taking Stock of Efforts to Prevent and Counter Terrorism, as well as Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Leads to Terrorism in the OSCE Area’” in Bratislava. Participants discussed the progress of international co-operation in countering terrorism and implementation of best practice in P/C VERLT, referral mechanisms, pre-criminal interventions, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. On 13 April, in co-operation with the Centre for Retraining of Journalists of Uzbekistan, the PCUz organized a workshop on reporting on topics related to P/C VERLT for 41 students from the Department for Journalism of the Karakalpak State University in Nukus. The event focused on using modern multimedia technologies (such as the Internet and social media) to reach out to youth and increase their resilience against VERLT. The participants also discussed ways to strengthen co-operation between law enforcement agencies and the media, including on matters related to enhancing legal culture in society and exerting public control over manifestations of VERLT. From 17 to 18 April, the PCUz supported the participation of three representatives from the SSS, Central Bank and GPO Department on Combating Economic Crimes at the “2019 OSCE High-Level Regional Conference on Countering Terrorist Financing and Organized Crime” in Ashgabat. The event brought together 200 experts from Central Asia and other participating States, Partners for Co-operation and other international, regional and sub-regional organizations. Through discussions and the exchange of best practice, the event aimed at fostering regional co-operation among Central Asian states in addressing the financing of terrorist activities as a serious challenge to security and stability. During the event, potential links with organized crime and role of new digital technologies for financing terrorist activities and organized crime were also highlighted. On 1 May, the PCUz organized a roundtable in Tashkent regarding progress made in the 2018 to 2021 NAP, in particular in relation to the implementation of UNSCR 1540 concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and realizing international commitments in the area of chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear safety. Participants discussed how to improve the control of strategic trade of dual-use goods, develop legislation for the implementation of relevant conventions and promote the application of a number of international anti-terrorism instruments in implementing UNSCR 1540. Along with four OSCE experts, the event brought together 30 members of the NAP WG from the MoH, MIA, MoD and other relevant stakeholders. On 30 and 31 May, in co-operation with the Centre for Retraining of Journalists, the PCUz organized a workshop for 19 participants from the press units of law enforcement agencies in Tashkent. The aim of the event was to develop the skills of journalists in using modern multimedia technologies to increase their outreach, for example, with youth, as well as how to mobilize citizens on issues related to P/C VERLT. Participants also discussed how to promote public awareness of and responses to manifestations of VERLT through the media, how to strengthen social partnership between law enforcement agencies and the media, as well as related matters to do with enhancing legal culture in society. From 24 to 25 and from 27 to 28 June, the PCUz supported ODIHR in facilitating a workshop on the prevention of human rights violations in effective counter-terrorism policing in Tashkent. In front of 31 experts from the police, GPO and SSS, the workshop focused on a range of human rights issues related to practical aspects of the work carried out by counter-terrorism law enforcement officers. The event also provided participants with the opportunity to analyse setbacks that counter-terrorism policing may face if implemented in violation of human rights and to realize how observing international human rights standards positively contributes to the effectiveness of such investigations. 131