01 October 2009

Response to Kyrgyzstan Minister on Advancing Democracy

U.S. welcomes Kyrgyzstan’s actions to reform law enforcement, judiciary

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United States Mission to the OSCE

Response to Kyrgyz Minister of Interior, Moldomusa Kongatiev

As prepared for delivery by Chargé d’Affaires Carol Fuller
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
September 24, 2009

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister Kongatiev, welcome to the Permanent Council and thank you for your informative and insightful remarks. We appreciate your comprehensive assessment of the actions underway in Kyrgyzstan to reform law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The work you cite on police reform and modernization is an essential component of consolidating Kyrgyzstan’s progress in rule of law. As you rightly point out, this involves strengthening not just operational capacity of the police but also ensuring a role for civil society oversight of police activity, protection of human rights in detention centers, and a strong and independent judiciary.

Kyrgyzstan also has an important role to play in the OSCE’s regional border projects. The recently opened Customs Academy in Kyrgyzstan can serve as a focal point for cooperation among border officials, and we have high expectations that it will serve to strengthen lines of communication in the region.

We welcome the close cooperation between the OSCE Center in Bishkek and your ministry. The Center’s programmatic activities in good governance and anti-corruption, human rights promotion, legislative assistance, combating terrorism, conflict prevention, and judicial, penitentiary and police reform are all noteworthy. None of the Center’s programs can be successful without the strong support of the Government of Kyrgyzstan and its active participation as a stakeholder. This close cooperation is key to helping Kyrgyzstan advance on the path to democracy, improving protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and further developing civil society.

The United States thanks you again, Mr. Minister, for your visit to the Permanent Council, and for your close cooperation with the OSCE.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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