Criminal justice, crime prevention and integrity

UNODC provided expert advice to support the development of conceptually new criminal legislation In the Kyrgyz Republic. The new laws, which are currently before the Parliament decriminalize and depenalize minor offences; strengthen judicial oversight over investigations through the establishment of a new institution, the judge of inquiry; move the criminal justice system from an inquisitorial to a more adversarial model, including better guarantees to ensure equality of arms; and promote the social reintegration of offenders  through the establishment of a new, socially oriented probation service to manage and oversee the application of alternatives to incarceration.

In the area of police reform, UNODC concentrated its efforts on mobilising support and building public demand for police reform by supporting civil society networks and police oversight council as well as increasing public awareness on complaints handling procedures. UNODC jointly with the Institute of Ombudsman published results of a Special Report on police labor rights and supported the development of local crime prevention plans nationwide.

UNODC expanded its human rights and gender mainstreaming work through a comprehensive training for over 215 police officers focused on gender-sensitive policing and on developing police-public partnerships at the local level. UNODC recommendations on gender policy were incorporated in the endorsed National Action Plan on implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, including implementing a mentoring programme for women in law enforcement bodies and establishing a roster of police women for appointment in senior management positions. A mentoring programme has been launched in 7 priority areas of the Kyrgyz Republic to encourage young women and ethnic minorities to consider a career in the police.

UNODC's crime prevention work in the Kyrgyz Republic focused on policy development and local level assessment and strategic planning, based on inclusive consultation processes involving local self-government, local crime prevention centers, the police and civil society. New government policy on police cooperation with civil society was adopted in 2015, providing for inclusive work on crime prevention based on community participation. 2 local crime prevention plans were adopted by local authorities at the municipal and city level and supported through small-scale infrastructural projects based on cost sharing with local authorities.

UNODC provided support to opening of new police stations in Jalalabad and Batken regions that provide service to around 40,000 people. The new police stations have  better reception areas and allow police officers to receive people in well-equipped office space. The new police stations received positive feedback from the local community and are used by the Ministry of Interior at the national level as an example for its own efforts to strengthen police-public partnerships.

To further increase access to information on available complaints handling procedures, the UNODC implemented a nationwide public awareness raising campaign. This campaign included public presentations in all provinces, distribution of manuals, leaflets and posters (for placement in police stations and local crime prevention centres), and online dissemination of information.This approach was combined with thematic trainings for police officers of 14 priority areas. Over 150 police officers gained knowledge on human rights and practiced their communication skills.

UNODC completed a study on compliance of drug control legislation and sentencing policies in the Kyrgyz Republic with international standards and their impact on curbing the production, trafficking, and consumption of illicit substances. Development of a national prison security framework was further supported via security and risk assessment of pilot penitentiary facilities, improvement of infrastructure and enhancement of intelligence sharing of law enforcement agencies in the area of drug control.

UNODC provided expert advice to the development of the Forensic Laboratories Accreditation Plan 2015-2020 the biggest forensic agency in the Kyrgyz Republic - State Forensics Centre under the Ministry of Justice. Implementation of this plan should strengthen both the management capacity of the national forensics service and improve the quality of expertise that directly impacts citizens' rights to high-quality expert services and timely access to justice.