New UNODC Project to Strengthen Forensic Services in the Kyrgyz Republic

Bishkek, 31 March 2014. The Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launch a new project to improve the provision of forensic services in the Kyrgyz Republic. The project "Strengthening Forensic Services in the Kyrgyz Republic" is implemented by UNODC with financial support of the United States Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

The main beneficiary of this project is the State Forensic Centre under the Ministry of Justice, which is the main provider of forensic services in the country. "This project will enhance the State Forensic Centre's ability to provide professional and timely forensic services in civil and criminal cases", noted Mr. Almambet Shykmamatov, acting Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic. "The implementation of  training programs for forensic experts and other planned activities are all aimed at improving the administration of justice and the protection of human rights".

The new project will support refurbishment of the premises of the State Forensics Centre, upgrading of laboratory equipment and the implementation of staff training programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of forensic experts. The project will also focus on strategic policy development, including the strengthening  of standard operating and quality control procedures for forensic services.

"Forensic services form an integral and indispensable part of  the law enforcement and judicial system in the country", said Ms. Tolkun Bekbulatova, Director of the State Forensic Centre under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic. "The normative framework, methodological tools, approaches and equipment need to be continuously improved and updated in order for forensic services to effectively support the judicial process", she added.