DUSHANBE, April 11, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- In the future, Tajikistan’s police force may formally be referred to as “politsia” instead of the Soviet-era “militsia”.  The renaming is part of the process of the police reform in the country.

During the ceremony of signing of a memorandum of understanding on police reform, Minister of Interiors Abdurahim Qahhorov noted on April 8 that he ordered to work out a new low on police.

“In this law, we will use all the positive international police-building experience,” said the minister, “This law will be the first step toward creation of a solid legal foundation for activities of the country’s police force.”

“Our government attaches significant importance to further democratization, strengthening of civil society, and ensuring observance of human rights, said Qahhorov, “That is why we have launched an active dialogue on the police reform and we support all the OSCE’s efforts in this area.”

According to him, a complex of organizing, legal and financial measures are needed to improve activities of the police force in the country.  “And we cannot do this without support of international community and international experts,” the minister stressed.

Tajik law enforcement authorities hope that the police reform will become a foundation for creation of a new model of Tajikistan’s police force that “will ensure security of person and protection of rights and legitimate interests of person against illegal encroachments.”