OSCE promotes democratic principles of public order management

Two OSCE-supported guidebooks on police conduct, use of force and negotiation techniques in public order management were presented today in Yerevan.

“It is very important for the state to take all the necessary steps to ensure that when force is used it is based on law and applied in a strictly proportional manner”, said Carel Hofstra, the Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “Inappropriate and disproportional use of force can not only lead to human rights violations but to a loss of public confidence in the police and therefore affect its ability to deliver effective policing”, Hofstra emphasized.

The publication on the use of physical force, special means and firearms in public order management outlines general principles and tactics to be applied under the national legislation, presents international instruments and discusses specifics of contemporary law-enforcement activities.

The publication on conducting negotiations when managing public order presents an easy-to-use approach supported with practical examples, which are to help ensure a successful outcome of communication during both spontaneous and planned events.

Both publications were developed by an OSCE expert as part of the Organization’s work to support the comprehensive police reform in Armenia.