4.13 Office in Tajikistan On 23 and 26 September, the Office supported Open House Days in the MIA Academies in Dushanbe and Khujand. The main aim of these events was to inform the public about the ongoing police reform and the modernization of the MIA Academy, as well as to introduce recruitment procedures to potential future cadets. Between September and December 2016, the Office attended information sessions by Public Councils in more than 30 districts throughout the 3 regions of Tajikistan. The meetings provided the local population with an opportunity to meet with representatives of the MIA. The events were organized within the framework of the Police Reform Programme. Community members, local authorities, and local MIA representatives attended these events, with more than 1,000 participants taking part in the meetings. The members of all Public Councils explained the role, mission and tasks of Public Councils, and made a presentation on the on-going National Police Reform Programme. Human Rights and Police Accountability Throughout the month of May, the Office’s Politico-Military and Human Dimension departments co-operated on a series of regional trainings for more than 90 law enforcement officers, ombudsman representatives, civil society and legal professionals on the treatment of persons in the initial stages of police custody. The trainings emphasized the rights of persons deprived of their liberty and law enforcement’s obligations to advise detained persons of their rights, and ensure these rights are respected. The duty of law enforcement to document a detained person’s location and status was also highlighted. The trainings were conducted in the cities of Khujand, Garm, Kulyab and Kurgan-Tyube, and were led by national experts drawn from law enforcement and the legal community. Community Policing, Police-Public Relations and Crime Prevention From 26 to 30 September, the Office conducted a training course in Khujand for police officers in the Sughd region on “Democratic basics and ethical principles of youth outreach in multi-ethnic communities”. The training was delivered by experts from the Academy of Science, the Strategic Research Center, the MIA Academy, Public Councils and the Office of the National Coordinator on Police Reform. The training included discussions on the multi-ethnic composition of a police precinct and its challenges, and juvenile delinquency and the crime phenomena it entails. More than 30 participants from the 15 District Departments of the MIA, Office of National Coordinator on Police Reform, and members of Public Councils were instructed on international standards and best practices, as well international commitments and relevant aspects of the country’s domestic legal framework. The training also reflected on gender mainstreaming, youth radicalization, conflict prevention, as well as the Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures for police officers. Gender-based and Domestic Violence On 21 January, the Office facilitated a meeting between 23 local NGOs and Public Council members in Garm, Rasht Group region, to discuss domestic violence. During the meeting, the participants brought up the need for information exchange between key local players, including state and non-state actors. Other topics on the agenda were the challenges, roles and responsibilities of police inspectors dealing with domestic violence matters and the role of public organizations in prevention of this phenomenon at the community level. The Office proposed the establishment of a regional Working Group on Gender Sensitivity and Domestic Violence. A similar working group was established in Kulyab on 29 January. Public Council information sessions Ř Between September and meet with MIA representatives, Public Councils explained their December, the Office attended and were attended by members role, mission and tasks and made information sessions by Public of the community and local a presentation about the on- Councils in over 30 districts in all authorities. going Police Reform Programme. 3 regions of Tajikistan. Ř The meetings provided the local population with opportunities to 124 Ř Overall, more than 1,000 participants took part in the meetings. The members of all