the regions and on central level to discuss findings of the reports and how to remedy shortcomings or trainings on identified human rights issues. In 2013, the DHRC SMS carried out monitoring programmes and advised the police on issues such as freedom of expression, security of non-majority communities, rights of arrested persons, use of force and hate crimes. Following a number of requests from police officers for clarifications over the changes to the Criminal Procedure Code and their practical implications for their work, the DHRC SMS with support of the DHRC Legislative Review Section also organized two rounds of roundtables for police officers in all police regions to discuss changes to the Criminal Procedure Code of Kosovo. DHRC SMS has been implementing a comprehensive programme in the area of combating hate crimes, continuing its focus on the KP as first responder to hate crimes. On 25-27 March, DHRC SMS organized a three-day ToT course for 26 KP officers from all police regions who specialised in working with students. Participants learned how to teach students aged 14-17 about bias, harassment and hate crimes. The DHRC SMS also organized two one-day training courses for community policing officers on 28 and 29 March. Each group, consisting of 25 participants, was trained on how to identify, investigate and properly respond to hate crimes. Since the DHRC SMS began its programme on combating hate crimes, it has trained over 600 police officers. Following the DHRC SMS’s extensive advocacy efforts, KP decided to include a module on combating hate crimes into the advanced training for KP officers at the KAPS starting in 2014. In 2012, combating hate crimes training was included in the basic training curriculum for the KP. The DHRC SMS also engaged in advocacy and capacity building activities to improve compliance of KP in the area of use of force. In 2013, DHRC SMS was approached by the KP Training Department in order to provide training for the Special Operations Unit (SOU) on Police Ethics and Human Rights due to concerns about the excessive use of force and violations of human rights standards during SOU operations. From 22-26 April, DHRC SMS, with the support of DSPS, organized five one-day workshops for a total of 119 KP SOU officers including 19 commanding staff. The officers refreshed their knowledge of human rights, paying special attention to human rights standards related to the prohibition of torture; inhuman and degrading treatment; freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Participants discussed the relationship between human rights standards, police ethics and public order tactics. They also learned how to use a human rights-based approach in all of their activities, from planning, tactical decisions and communication to debriefing. Following the training, the St. Vitus Day celebrations and a major protest by an opposition party in June passed without any major incident with KP (including SOU teams) monitoring the protest with professionalism and adhering to human rights standards. KP, and in particular the SOU were praised for their handling of the events by Kosovo institutions, international organizations and the general public. Between 23 and 27 September, DHRC SMS organized additional training courses on human rights and police ethics issues for SOU officers. On 23-24 September, 20 SOU commanding officers attended a two-day training on advanced human rights and police ethics. The officers learned how to incorporate and address human rights issues in managing critical incidents. Special emphasis was put on the relationship between the police and the community affected by incidents and restoring trust of the affected community in the police. On 25-27 September, the DHRC SMS organized three one-day workshops on basic human rights and police ethics for 99 SOU police officers. The DHRC SMS continued supporting the establishment of a local detention monitoring mechanism with a view to the long-term perspective of completely handing over the detention monitoring to local stakeholders. Such a mechanism would borrow from the 71