The Department of Criminology, in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),has been organizing a three-day Capacity Building Workshop on “Humanitarian Policing Practices under International Law” from Tuesday, April 22, 2025, to Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Law enforcement officers from various regions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a special focus on those serving in the Merged Districts(MDs), are invited to participate.
The primary theme of this training is to build the capacity of law enforcement officers engaged in fieldwork duties within MDs.
Designed under the ICRC’s Police and Security forces program mandate, the program aims to promote good policing practices in line with international law, encouraging officers to adopt and replicate these practices in their operational environments.
The training will feature lectures on key topics such as the Use of Force, Arrest & Detention, Community-Based Policing, Protection of Vulnerable Populations, and the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Additionally, syndicate activities including case study analysis and role-playing exercises are incorporated to enhance practical understanding and to help integrate humanitarian policing principles into police curriculum and practices.
On the first day of the training, the session began with Mr. Asghar Marwat, Program Manager, Police & Security Forces, ICRC, who gave a brief introduction to the ICRC’s global initiatives and its ongoing activities in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman, Department of Criminology, University of Peshawar, formally welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the department and its collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Department of Criminology, Law Enforcement Agencies, and International Community in fostering an environment of learning and mutual growth.
Following this, Dr. Muhammad Ibrar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Criminology, University of Peshawar, shared his valuable insights on the best practices for safeguarding the rights of victims, underlining the significance of victim-centered approaches within the framework of international law and local policing practices.
Mr. Asghar Marwat conducted sessions on key topics, focusing on the Use of Force while integrating international standards and Good Practices related to the exercise of Police powers. Discussions were also conducted among the participants on Arrest and Detention under International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
The first day concluded with Groupwork activities, allowing participants to engage in practical exercises and discussions based on the lectures.
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