POLICE-RELATED ACTIVITIES OF FIELD OPERATIONS SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE Mission’s monitoring and supporting activities, and assist in improving the current hate crime recording system in Kosovo. On 11 and 12 October, the Mission organized a roundtable for 60 KP officers from police stations in four northern municipalities, with the purpose of increasing their knowledge and understanding of hate speech. Following a session organized at the regional level, it was agreed with the police management of the Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North Region to replicate the workshop at the station level. Participants were provided with an overview of international human rights standards and domestic laws related to freedom of expression, hate speech and hate crimes. The sessions also focused on understanding the fine line between freedom of expression and hate speech and between hate speech and a hate crime through the analysis of case studies and practical examples provided by participants. From 31 October to 25 November, the Mission facilitated eight roundtables on responding to hate crimes in all police regions, targeting representatives from the KP, municipalities and communities. The aim of these events was to raise awareness about hate crimes, while building capacity in relevant actors to effectively monitor, report and respond to this type of crime. Discussions focused on security and safety concerns, mutual co-operation between involved actors, ways to prevent hate crimes and identifying possible methods to officially condemn them. Specialized Investigations Units / Forensics As a result of the Mission’s training, the KP possesses the capacity to deliver a comprehensive set of trainings to future police officers to conduct surveillance operations. Throughout 2016, the Mission continued to provide support to the KAF in developing its capacities related to quality assurance and examining IT evidence. Although its technical capacity continues to improve, the KAF did not manage to develop expertise or internal procedures to proceed with a technical assessment for accreditation on Arson and Explosives, or IT laboratories. In addition, the need to replace forensic equipment which reached the end of its operational life and is no longer supported by manufacturers for either maintenance or spare parts represents an imminent issue which could adversely affect the progress made to date. On 9 March, during a ceremony organized at their premises, the KAF received a donation of equipment and software for forensic audio analysis. The donation was funded by the German Government and implemented by the Mission, with a purpose to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of both the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department and the Forensic Audio Unit of the KAF. The donation is also expected to enhance the quality of services that the KAF can provide to the KP and the Kosovo judiciary in the area of digital forensics. The KAF finalized its first Development Strategy 2016-2020 in a workshop organized and facilitated by the Mission from 29 to 31 March in Albania. During this workshop, participants, including senior managers from the KAF along with representatives from the MoIA, KP, Kosovo Judicial Council, the Mission and EULEX, discussed and identified the main objectives of the agency for the next four years. The strategy, also supported by Mission’s experts, focused on four main areas: enhancing technical capacities, human resources development, building partnerships with local institutions and increasing the co-operation with regional and international organizations. Following the locksmith training delivered to the KP Technical Support Directorate in 2015, the Mission delivered a four-module specialized training on surveillance to ten KP operational police officers. The first module took place from 23 to 27 May, and focused on improving participants’ skills base in applying surveillance techniques. The next module took place from 25 to 29 July, and covered the practical aspects of legal procedures, as well as the best international practices in managing surveillance operations. It also included the pre-planning and preparation for surveillance operations in camouflage settings, mobile surveillance with vehicles, counter surveillance, and surveillance of suspected terrorist activities. The third module ran from 29 August to 2 September, and covered the management and practical application of covert rural observation position with advanced surveillance techniques. Finally, the training package concluded with the fourth module held from 17 to 21 September, which focused on advanced covert means of entry techniques, with a particular focus placed on strict adherence to local legislation requirements and best police practices in surveillance and covert tactics. Throughout the course, a special emphasis was given to the relevant human rights provisions applied during surveillance and covert activities, and these were embedded in every topic. Following the training sessions and in order to sustain the knowledge acquired on surveillance, the training material was given to the KP Training Division for future internal training delivery needs. From 26 to 30 September, the Mission conducted a training of trainers for 22 officers from the KP Special Operation Unit (SOU) on human rights and the use of force. The training focused on relevant principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, covering topics including the prohibition of torture, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, the right to an effective remedy, and prohibition of 63