ODIHR trains counter-terrorism officials in Ukraine on protecting human rights while countering terrorism

The importance of protecting human rights while countering terrorism was highlighted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) at a two-and-a-half-day training course for law enforcement officials, which ended on 6 December 2012 in Kyiv.

More than 25 senior and mid-level law enforcement officers from Ukraine’s Security Service, State Border Guard and Ministry of Internal Affairs gained insight into ways of protecting human rights in the anti-terrorism context, in accordance with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments.  The course included sessions on the key human rights issues that arise when preventing and investigating terrorism-related acts, as well as when arresting, detaining and interviewing terrorism suspects.  

“Human rights are not obstacles to effective law enforcement in anti-terrorism. On the contrary, respect for human rights is an integral element of any successful counter-terrorism strategy,” said Lucile Sengler, ODIHR’s Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues.

The training course, based on the Countering Terrorism, Protecting Human Rights manual developed by ODIHR in 2007, was organized in co-operation with the Security Service of Ukraine.

It is the twentieth course conducted by ODIHR throughout the OSCE area, and is designed to assist participating States in meeting their commitments on respecting human rights when preventing and countering terrorism.