4.14 Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Since 2010, the PCUz has been co-operating with the Police Academy’s Department of Theory and Practice of Human Rights and the MoI’s Human Rights Protection and Legal Support Department. This collaboration is aimed at increasing the professionalism of local law enforcement agencies to uphold the rule of law and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Since 2008, the PCUz has been working closely with the National Centre for Drug Control (NCDC) in supporting the implementation of national strategies and policies on fighting illicit drug circulation. In 2013, the PCUz and the NCDC signed a MoU designed to improve joint efforts to address illicit drug circulation and other related transnational organized crimes. In the field of THB, the PCUz supports the Inter-agency Anti-trafficking Commission, and other governmental agencies and civil society representatives in strengthening their efforts to combat THB. Besides capacity-building, the PCUz focuses on establishing more systematic and sustainable efforts to counter THB through better co-ordination between police, health and social workers, and NGOs in the identification of trafficked persons and the protection of their human rights. Activities Related to General Police Development and Reform Police Development and Reform within Security Sector Reform From 2-6 February, the PCUz organized a study tour to France for a group of Uzbek human rights educators from the MIA, the Police Academy, the Ministry of Justice and the Lawyers’ Training Centre. The tour was organized with the support of the French Embassy in Uzbekistan, the MIA, and Ministry of Justice. This educational exchange programme aimed at building the capacity of the Human Rights Chair at the Police Academy and at promoting human rights education for law enforcement officers by strengthening the potential of law enforcement training institutions.  Participants learned about different  methods used to teach human rights and professional ethics, and exchanged ideas on  training development with French law enforcement institutions. From 15-17 December, the PCUz organized a training for a  group of 25 law enforcement officers from the MIA and the Police Academy on the prevention of torture. The course was conducted by trainers from the UK and was organized in the framework of the PCUz project “Capacity-Building to the Human Rights Chair at the Police Academy”. It aimed 124 at enhancing  the legal and professional  responsibilities of the participants to ensure compliance with national and international standards on torture prevention. Community Policing and Police-Public Relations On 23 December, the PCUz organized a roundtable on road traffic safety in Tashkent, in co-operation with the MIA. The purpose of the event was to  enhance the dialogue among different stakeholders, including state agencies, NGOs, and the  media, with the overall aim to prevent traffic accidents and promote good practices.  Participants discussed the measures that have been taken to implement a state program on traffic safety and its challenges, as well as the importance of education and enforcement of legislation. Gender-Based and Domestic Violence In November, the PCUz launched a campaign known globally as “16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women”, with UN agencies in Uzbekistan, national state agencies, and NGOs. The national Uzbek campaign, under the motto “From Peace at Home to Peace in the World”, aimed at strengthening the role of women in public and state affairs, while also  engaging youth in preventing violence against women and girls. On 20 November,  a joint press conference with UN agencies, the Women’s Committee, and civil society  organizations was organized in Tashkent to draw public attention and promote the  protection of women’s rights.