Various projects were implemented in co-operation with ODIHR in the frame of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” campaign (see also Appendix 1). ***** 4.14 Office in Tajikistan Background According to the Permanent Council decision No. 852 of 19 June 2008, the Mandate of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan (OiT) envisages the following: - - Promote the implementation of the OSCE commitments by contributing to stability and security, to prevent conflicts and take measures for crisis management, as well as in the areas of, inter alia, police-related activities; Provide assistance in development of common approaches to address problems and threats to security; and Build national capacity and expertise within the OiT’s area of responsibility to facilitate an efficient transfer of tasks to the Republic of Tajikistan. The first initial steps have been taken towards implementation of police reform. Upon request of the host country, the OSCE OiT has fostered an overall police reform project and supported Tajikistan in addressing threats posed to the country’s security emanating from organized crime, drug trafficking, terrorism, and violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism. The Joint Needs Assessment on Policing, conducted in 2008, has been shared with the SPMU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the Republic of Tajikistan. The MIA is in full support of police reform efforts and The Counter Terrorism and Police Unit (CTPU) was created within the OSCE OiT in November 2008. Extensive research on police reform efforts internationally as well as in the region was conducted. In addition, the OSCE best practice manuals and police reform strategies have been studied and applied in a first draft Police Reform Concept Strategy paper. Another step forward was the drafting of the MoU on Police Reform. Following the signing of the MoU in 2011 between the Government of Tajikistan and the OSCE, later approved by the Parliament of Tajikistan in 2012, the OiT, together with its main stakeholder, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), achieved the next milestone in their joint efforts when the Police Reform Strategy for 2013-2020 was approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan dated 19 March 2013, under No. 1438. It serves as a basis for further expanding the OiT’s support to Tajikistan in developing policing based on democratic principles and addressing threats posed by organized crime, drugs trafficking and terrorism. The MIA has remained committed to police reform reinforced by the approval of the Police Reform Strategy. The management structure established in the form of a steering group and working groups on different levels has been active and functional, and co-ordinated the tailored reform process. The fight against transnational crimes, including illicit drugs, human trafficking, and terrorism, as well as the fight against corruption were the priority tasks of the law enforcement agency. 143