Ethiopia: ICRC, police commissioners held discussions on training provided to Ethiopian police
On June 29, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and police commissioners, deputy commissioners and other senior officials held a one-day discussion in Addis Ababa regarding trainings and other activities organized jointly by ICRC and Ethiopian Police on international human rights standards and humanitarian principles.
Sisay Shikur, Federal Deputy Police Commissioner General, thanked the ICRC for organizing the discussion, while Assistant Commissioner Getu Tekleyohannes, Community Service Vice President with the Ethiopian Police University College (EPUC), expressed appreciation for ICRC's trainings so far , which he said helped the police understand international policing standards better. A number of participants echoed his comment.
During the event, ICRC also handed over two manuals titled "Basic International Human Rights and Humanitarian Standards for Policing", and an Amharic version of "Guidelines on the Conditions of Arrest, Police Custody, and Pre-Trial Detention in Africa" (also known as "Luanda Guidelines"), as well as an ICRC-produced training video.
Mr. James Reynolds, Head of the ICRC Delegation to Ethiopia, after handing over the materials, highlighted the ICRC's longstanding partnership with the Ethiopian Police and indicated ICRC's readiness to continue to offer its expertise by providing ToTs and other trainings in areas such as use of force and fire arms and policing during assemblies- which was welcome by the deputy police commissioner and other participants.
The Federal Deputy Commissioner General receives the manuals and training video from ICRC Head of Delegation Ethiopia - Mr. James Reynolds. CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alemayehu Takele
ICRC Regional Police Delegate, Mark Waine, briefed the participants on the content of the handed over materials and emphasized their importance in supporting the teaching of international human rights standards and humanitarian principles pertaining to policing. Participants were also briefed about ICRC's protection work by the Protection Coordinator, Ms Alessia Bertelli.
Participants were very engaged and keen on pursuing further collaboration with the ICRC. CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Alemayehu Takele
The ICRC is promoting international human rights standards and humanitarian principles among the members of the police forces, including special police forces, in Ethiopia. In partnership with the Ethiopian police, it has provided trainings and seminars in international human rights and humanitarian principles and training of trainers (ToTs) to over 35,000 police and security members and officers in the last 15 years.
