BOMCA in Tajikistan

Tajikistan is on the frontline of drug trafficking through the “Northern Route” from Afghanistan.

Due to concerns with border security following the rapid withdrawal of the Russian contingent in 2005, and in response to an appeal by the Tajik Government for assistance, the BOMCA programme in Tajikistan has included projects on the border with Afghanistan. Two high level donor conferences were held in 2005 with the result that the British Government contributed ˆ2 million in complementary funding. Cooperation with other donors has been enhanced in the period 2006 through 2008.

A monthly technical-level coordination group on border management (BIG) was established in 2005 in order to improve donor cooperation and to avoid duplication of activities. BIG members include all donors involved in the provision of assistance in border management and counter narcotics, and local embassies.  The BOMCA country team organizes the meetings and provides the secretariat function. Bi-annual meetings of the Government’s Steering Committees on BOMCA are held to review progress and to identify and agree future BOMCA activities.

BOMCA programme activities seek to improve the capacities of law enforcement agencies through the provision of infrastructure, equipment and training. This will provide the essential professional tools and skills to allow the border management agencies to progress towards the European concept of integrated border management.

BOMCA activities in Tajikistan have included:

• New facilities at three international border crossing points (BCPs) on the Tajik-Afghan border in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). These include fully equipped joint working buildings for all agencies responsible for border management, and accommodation buildings including showers, toilets, kitchens / dining rooms for Border Force and Customs staff. Equipment has included X ray machines, generators, computers, passport readers, office furniture, drug and precursor chemical detecting kits, vehicle search kits, kitchen equipment, beds and lockers;
• Construction of international markets adjacent to the three BCPs, open on Saturdays. These attract between 350 and 1,000 Afghans who cross the border to buy or sell basic foodstuffs, clothing, utensils, timber, and construction materials. These markets have been upgraded with the provision of additional covered market sheds, water and basic sanitary facilities;
• Construction of a fully equipped Training Centre in Dushanbe for Officer Cadets of the Tajik Border Force. This includes residential accommodation for 300 troops, offices, classrooms and resource centre. During 2008, this complex will be expanded under a US funded scheme that has been planned in cooperation with the BOMCA programme;
• Renovation of the Border Force Headquarters building in Dushanbe including re-roofing and refurbishment of all offices on the top floor;
• Training of drug and explosive detecting dogs and handlers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Trainees are now deployed at BCPs and airports throughout the country. Additional support for the dog teams has included provision of dog food for one year, vehicles and associated equipment;
• A Centre for Drug Detecting Dogs in Khorog, complete with veterinary treatment facilities, classroom and training area. The centre is a satellite to a main centre in Dushanbe and is for re-training and treatment of dogs usually deployed at BCPs in GBAO;
• Vehicles and HF radios have been provided to increase the mobility and effectiveness of Border Force units responsible for preventing illegal cross border movement between the BCPs, together with generators and other equipment to improve living conditions at a number of Border Outposts in GBAO, that have been upgraded under a separate British Government funded programme;
• A Drug Profiling Unit (DPU) at Khujand airport. The Unit has been fully furnished and equipped and the multi agency staffs have been trained;
• Study tours for judges, prosecutors, police intelligence officers, directors and senior staff of training centres and drug detecting dog specialists to various European capitals including London, Stockholm, Rome, and Vienna under both BOMCA and CADAP programmes;
• Training on the use of equipment provided, methods of operation to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, integrated border management for BCP staff, and counter narcotics intelligence to prepare for information exchange via the CARICC (Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre) network.

The BOMCA programme in Tajikistan is mirrored by a ‘sister’ project in Afghanistan known as BOMBAF, set up by the European Commission in late 2006 to reinforce the border control capacity in Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan, based on the activities already undertaken in Tajikistan. Provision of infrastructure and equipment, as well as training, mirrors BOMCA activity in Tajikistan. BOMBAF financing is shared between the EU, the United Kingdom and UNDP.