BOMCA in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan borders with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Border infrastructure with China is relatively developed, having been one of the external border sections of the former Soviet Union. Other border sections are not yet fully delimited and demarcated, and border infrastructure is sub-basic. Border agencies are, in some cases,  ill equipped and poorly trained, using conscripts to patrol the green border.

Kyrgyzstan has embarked upon a major reform programme in the security sector focusing on border issues. The country is also conducting an experiment in joint border control with Kazakhstan at two border crossing points in the north of the country, Ak-Jol and Kayindi.

Southern borders are particularly porous, and are the entry point for drugs traveling mainly to Russia, and weapons and human trafficking to and from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Ferghana valley area is especially prone to volatility, and the high degree criminality associated with trafficking in drugs, arms and people is a major destabilising factor mitigating against the rule of law, the development of social capital and increased living standards for the poor.

BOMCA relations with Heads of Services and working level counterparts are excellent, and a BOMCA Steering Committe, established in 2006, to oversee the development and implementation of the projects within BOMCA, meets bi-annually. An objective of all IBM interventions is to continually move to increased national ownership of IBM concepts and development of national IBM strategies. Such ownership is currently most advanced in Kyrgyzstan where a Presidential Decree of February 2008 established the National Coordination Committee for IBM, and a national IBM strategy is in development.  As a part of the Kyrgyz IBM strategy development process, BOMCA is assisting in preparation of the national Border Guards reform plan (based on a Hungarian Border Service reform plan). Exposure to the experience of the Hungarian Border Guards in their transition from the former Soviet print to the European print has provided a model for professionalism and for integrated border management that is understood and appreciated by the Government of Kyrgyzstan. A Senior Team Leader from the Hungarian Border Service has facilitated the introduction of the IBM concept in Kyrgyzstan and assessed the situation at the Kyrgyz-Kazakh border for cross-border cooperation and joint border control.

The Border Guard Service is the main beneficiary and the main counterpart of the BOMCA programme. Other partners are the Customs Service, the Drug Control Agency, the Veterinary, and Sanitary Services of the Ministry of Health and the Phytosanitary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture.

BOMCA activities in Kyrgyzstan have included:

• Renovation of an Inter-Agency training room at the airport in Osh and a Training Centre of Border Service in Osh, along with provision of equipment to both sites;
• Construction of a fully equipped Training Centre of Border Service in Novopokrovka. This includes offices, classrooms and conference hall. During 2008-2009, this Training Centre will be expanded by construction of a dormitory for the trainees;
• A Dog Training Centre for the Border Service has been constructed in Osh, complete with veterinary treatment facilities, a classroom and training area;
• New facilities at two international border crossing points (BCPs) on the Kyrgyz-Kazakh and Kyrgyz-Uzbek were constructed, including fully equipped buildings for all agencies responsible for border management, and accommodation buildings for Border Force and Customs staff. Equipment has included computers, passport readers, office furniture, drug and precursor chemical detecting kits, vehicle search kits and lockers;
• Passport readers, drug and precursor chemical detecting kits, vehicle search kits and other equipment were provided to 16 Border Posts in Ferghana Valley;
• To increase the mobility and effectiveness of Border Force units responsible for preventing illegal cross border movement between the BCPs, vehicles and HF radios have been provided at two Border Detachments in Batken oblast;
• Under both BOMCA and CADAP Programmes Drug and Explosive detecting dogs and handlers have been trained in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and are now deployed at BCPs and airports throughout the country;
• Six training rooms have been established at beneficiary agency premises in Bishkek and Osh, equipped with computers where staff “self-teach” on drug related crime programme software;
• Training has been conducted on the Concept of IBM and basic training in border control, profiling and search techniques, as well as human rights and asylum rights;
• Study tours have been arranged for senior personnel to learn European best-practices for border management in EU countries;
• A technical-level coordination group on border management is established to improve donor cooperation and to avoid duplication of activities.

Future activities will include:

• An Inter-Agency Dog Training Centre will be constructed in the vicinity of Bishkek in 2009;
• Finalization of the Integrated Border Management Strategy and Action Plan