EUPOL Afghanistan
EUPOL Afghanistan is a European Union mission to support and train police in Afghanistan, and improve the rule of law.[1]
Background
EUPOL Afghanistan is part of the European Union's External Action service. It was set up to help overcome serious policing deficiencies in Afghanistan, following recent conflicts; improving the security sector is an important part of the international community's work to rebuild Afghanistan.[2] Afghan policing was affected by serious problems of training, organisation, and corruption; they are also a major target for insurgents.
Activities
EUPOL does not do actual policing; it supports and trains Afghan police, public prosecutors, and officials from the Ministry of the Interior. They have even helped set up an Afghan police detective series, "Commissar Amanullah", which helps reach out to the public, where literacy levels are still low.[3]
EUPOL Afghanistan has also set up a police training college which offers various courses; As of September 2012[update] at least 4000 Afghan police have attended.[4] Responsibility for training has gradually been handed over to Afghan instructors.[5]
In July 2015 the mission has up to 190 experts - numbers vary - from 23 member states. Roughly two thirds are police and one third come from a legal background. Pia Stjernvall from Finland was appointed as the Head of Mission in February 2015. The Deputy Head of Mission is Tarmo Miilits (Estonia).
History
EUPOL Afghanistan was launched in June 2007, following work by the German Police Project Office; In May 2010, the mission's mandate was extended until May 2013, by the Council of the European Union; in November 2012 it was extended another 18 months.[6] In December 2014 the mandate was extended until the end of 2016.
External links
- Official website
- EEAS website
- EUPOL Afghanistan photos
- Webnews B2, EUPOL Afghanistan section
- House of Lords report, The EU’s Afghan Police Mission
References
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