Seychelles police receive human rights training

A five-day Human Rights training programme for Seychelles Police officials was opened on 17 August 2009 at the Police Academy in Mahé, Seychelles.

The event, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit, aims at increasing the level of awareness of human rights considerations in policing.

Seychelles Police Commissioner Ernest Quatre urged the 30 police officers attending the workshop to apply what they learn from the training to their daily duties.

“A sound knowledge of human rights is crucial in the application of the law,” he said. “It precludes the outcome of controversy and enables the Police Force to retain its dignity and credibility in the face of the public whom it serves and protects.”

The Head of Human Rights at the Secretariat, Dr Purna Sen, stressed that the aim of the training programme is to increase the capacity of the police in executing their duties efficiently and effectively by employing a human rights-based approach.

“The workshop primes police officials on how human rights principles can best be integrated into their work,” said Dr Sen.

She added that the workshop will help police to ensure their approach is in line with internationally accepted human rights standards and practices for law enforcement officials.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Seychelles
• Human Rights