rely on fear and raw power, but instead on regard for the law, honour and professionalism. that international human rights standards concerning their work were developed to provide invaluable guidance for the performance of their crucial functions in a democratic society. 11. What role does training play in protecting human rights? However, police officers in the line of duty want to know not just what the rules are, but also how to do their job effectively within the confines of those rules. Training efforts that fail to meet those concerns will probably be neither credible nor effective. The effective training of police in human rights is an essential element in global efforts to promote and protect human rights in every country. In order to protect human rights, police must first know and understand them. Furthermore, police officers must be familiar with the various international guidelines and bodies of principles – such as the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms – and be able to use them as tools in their everyday work. They must understand Throughout the training sessions it is important to emphasize that knowledge of human rights is an essential professional requirement for all personnel serving in modern law enforcement agencies. After all, the central purpose of policing is enforcement of the law and no law stands higher in authority than the law of human rights. Selected international human rights instruments relevant to law enforcement Universal Declaration of Human Rights International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty 17