Police Work Through a Human Rights Lens
August 19, 2024
“My favorite human right is the right to life. It’s fundamental, yet it’s often violated in Ukraine today. This is why I came here—to share my experience as an Austrian police officer and help make a difference,” said Desiree Hufnagl, EUAM Adviser/Trainer on Criminal Investigations. With these words, Hufnagl set the tone for a training session titled “Fundamental Rights: Policing from a Human Rights Perspective,” which brought together twenty patrol police officers from Odesa.
The training focused on the vital role human rights play in everyday policing. Rather than just a legal obligation, Hufnagl and her colleague, Olha Radkevych, EUAM Training Officer, emphasized that respecting human rights is key to building public trust and maintaining order in society. Throughout the session, officers participated in engaging discussions about how to protect these rights while performing their duties. The message was clear: law enforcement must prioritize the fundamental rights of everyone, regardless of the situation.
But the training wasn’t just about learning the theory. While Hufnagl laid the groundwork with insights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the session quickly moved into hands-on practice. Officers were divided into teams and given tasks that reflected real-life situations they might encounter, such as managing protests, making arrests, and interacting with vulnerable communities. These exercises highlighted how a human rights focus can guide officers’ decisions in challenging moments, ensuring that their actions remain aligned with core values.
The highlight of the training was a dynamic debate exercise. The officers were split into three groups: prosecutors, defence advocates, and observers. Using a real-life scenario drawn from German law enforcement experience, each group analysed the case from their unique perspective, considering how human rights principles applied. The debate was intense, with each group presenting arguments that reflected their roles while staying true to human rights standards. This exercise not only deepened their understanding but also showcased the complexities of applying human rights in policing.
This training is part of a broader initiative by EUAM Ukraine to reform the country’s civilian security sector.
