Madagascar: 80 law-enforcement officers enhance their knowledge of human rights
15-10-2010 News Release
Antananarivo (ICRC) – Eighty gendarmerie and national police officers are taking part in two seminars organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in order to deepen their knowledge of human rights principles applicable to operations undertaken to restore and maintain order.
The first seminar, attended by gendarmes and other security officers, ended today in Antananarivo; the second, intended for 40 officers enrolled in the national police academy, will take place next week in Ivato.
"The participants have the opportunity to enter into discussion with ICRC experts on the functions, powers and principles that specifically concern security forces exercising their responsibility to enforce the law," said Olivier Jenard, head of the ICRC mission in Antananarivo. "They also discuss other issues relating to the principles governing arrests, detention, the use of force and of firearms, and law enforcement."
The seminars, which are part of a training programme that has been organized by the French embassy for several years, also include a presentation of the ICRC's mandate and activities, and of the Malagasy Red Cross Society.
The ICRC has been working in Madagascar without interruption for the past eight years. Through its activities in the country, which are linked to situations of violence, it endeavours to improve living conditions for detainees and to provide support for the Malagasy Red Cross.
For further information, please contact:
Olivier Jenard, ICRC Antananarivo, tel: +261 20 22 303 10