Project overview:

The project aims to reduce vulnerability to violent extremism in the Kyrgyz Republic by supporting national efforts to a) prevent radicalization to violence in prisons, b) improve the governance of the penitentiary system and probation services to manage violent extremist offenders, and c) implement community policing and engagement strategies to prevent further progression to violent extremism, and d) strengthen forensic services in terrorism and extremism related cases in order to ensure adherence to fair trial standards.

Interim results:

The project supports efforts to entrench the rule of law as a foundation for peace in Kyrgyzstan. Key progress facilitated by the project includes the establishment of a new national probation service to support social rehabilitation of offenders through implementation of alternatives to incarceration. New policies were developed and introduced during the reporting period to facilitate this process, which reduces the risk of offenders being exposed to violent extremist ideologies.

The project made progress with development of a new mechanizm - individualized approach to each prisoner and probation client by launching a risk assessment and classification system.

A manual on prevention of recruitment by violent extremist groups in prisons developed and disseminated among the prison staff.

Training modules on rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist prisoners have been developed.

Trainings for prison, probation staff, psychologists, social workers, police officers, forensic service and local self-government officials conducted.

The project completed the second edition of a manual to guide psycho-linguistic and religious forensic expertise. This will be used in terrorism and extremism cases and is expected to produce more credible and objective evidence gathered based on standard operating procedures. This ensures better adherence to fair trial standards and can reduce grievances with the criminal justice system that may trigger radicalisation to violence.

Expected results:           

Outcome 1: Penitentiary and probation officers, as well as police and forensic experts effectively prevent and address radicalization to violence by ensuring adequate safeguards in compliance with national law and international standards.

Output 1: Penitentiary staff enhance their expertise on addressing violent extremism in prisons by developing methodologies for the prevention of radicalization to violence in prisons as well as on disengagement interventions for violent extremist offenders

Output 2: Probation staff and police officers facilitate the social reintegration of violent extremist offenders into the community and promote community partnerships to prevent violent extremism

Output 3: Forensic experts provide high-quality expertise in terrorism and extremism related cases

Status:  Ongoing

Start date: 01\01\2018

Projected end date: 31\12\2020        

Geographic coverage: Pervomay district; Alamedin district; Karakol city; Osh city; Kara-Suu district; Uzgen district; Aravan district; Jalal-Abad city; Suzak district; Kyzyl-Kiya city of the KR

Subject area: Peacebuilding

Project coordinator: Mukash Kaldarov

Partners:  Presidential Administration, Government Administration, Security Council, Prison Service and its Training Centre, Probation Service and Police Departments, Ministry of Interior and Police Academy, State Forensic Service, Public Councils under the Ministry of Interior and Prison Service, local self-government bodies, local crime prevention centres, including women’s committees, in selected districts, civil society organizations.

Funding Source: UN Peacebuilding Fund

Budget: 350,000 USD