OSCE workshop improves interagency cooperation for the prevention of juvenile crime in Kyrgyzstan

Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan – October 7, 2024 – From October 1 to 3, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in cooperation with the Office of the Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, organized an important multi-stakeholder workshop in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, aimed at strengthening inter- agency cooperation in the field of youth crime prevention. This initiative brought together 30 representatives of law enforcement and social services, including key participants from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

The central focus of the workshop was on promoting effective inter-agency collaboration to ensure that at-risk youth, regardless of gender, are deterred from criminal pathways. Through a series of interactive sessions, attendees were encouraged to identify, assess and prioritize real-life cases of youth crime, while jointly developing strategies to tackle the root causes of criminal behavior.

“Preventing juvenile crime is a priority for Kyrgyzstan,” said Nurzhan Adylova, head of the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. “This workshop provided an effective platform for us to explore ways to improve collaboration between law enforcement, schools and social workers, with the goal of promoting a culture of lawful behavior from an early age.”

The workshop is a crucial part of the OSCE-wide multi-year extra-budgetary project entitled “Enhancing Youth Crime and Drug Use Prevention through Education on Legality and Awareness Campaigns Addressing Threats of Organized Crime and Corruption.” This project has received primary funding from Germany, along with additional support from countries such as Andorra, Finland, Italy, Norway and Poland.

By promoting cooperation and developing shared strategies, the workshop aimed to create a more coherent approach to preventing youth crime in Kyrgyzstan. The involvement of various stakeholders underlines the commitment to tackling the root causes of youth crime, ultimately seeking to empower young people through education and support systems, while instilling a strong sense of community responsibility.

At the end of the workshop, participants left with renewed commitments to work together, sharing insights and strategies that can pave the way for a safer environment for young people in Kyrgyzstan. The focus on early prevention and inter-agency cooperation is expected to play a crucial role in steering at-risk individuals away from crime, thereby promoting a better future for the country’s youth.