I. The EU-UNDP BOMCA Assistance Programme in Tajikistan: Introduction

Tajikistan has 4,184 km of borders, comprising 1,344 km with Afghanistan, 519 km with China, 1,334 km with Uzbekistan and 987 km with Kyrgyzstan. A number of stretches of Tajikistan's borders have yet to be fully delimited or demarcated. The fact that these agreements have yet to be reached makes effective border security and management complicated.

A number of security threats and operational challenges confront the border security and management agencies of the Republic of Tajikistan. These include the situation in Afghanistan, the potential of regional instability arising from extremism, terrorism and crimes (in particular narcotics and weapons trafficking), a considerable number of landmines at borders.

Tajikistan is on the frontline of drug trafficking through the "Northern Route" from Afghanistan. Narcotic drugs that come to Tajikistan are channelled to other Central Asia countries, Russia and further on to European countries as well.

In 2009, Takistan's share of opium group drugs seized was 31 % of the total seized in CIS countries and 42 % of the Central Asia total. Under the initiative of law enforcement bodies of Tajikistan, 43 operations were conducted jointly with special services of other countries in 2009, including 14 international operations based on «controlled delivery» methodologies.

A major international effort is needed to improve border security in Tajikistan, particularly the Tajik-Afghan border, after the Tajik government took full responsibility for border security and control from the Russian Federation in 2005. The international community provides significant assistance in infrastructure, equipment and training.

The National Border Management Strategy and its Implementation Plan were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in 2010. The Strategy creates a policy framework for the coordinated strengthening of Tajikistan's border security and management, defines the government's vision, objectives and priorities for the period 2010 – 2025.

II. BOMCA's current phase in Tajikistan

In response to the challenges the countries in Central Asia face on its borders, the European Union launched the BOMCA assistance programme in 2002. Its current phase in Tajikistan involves:

Project 1: Institutional reform

The objective of this project is to support the Tajik Government in implementing its institutional reform processes, development and institutionalization of a modern IBM strategy. The first draft of the National Border Management Strategy was presented in February 2009 by the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) to donors and implementing agencies involved in border management projects. The final draft thereafter incorporated inputs from BOMCA and other donors. The National Border Management Strategy and its Implementation Plan were adopted by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan in 2010. Each national agency involved is obliged to make a more detailed reform plan within the framework defined by the strategy. The international community in Tajikistan will be kept fully informed regarding the implementation of the strategy. BOMCA will provide legal advice, consultancy and other support paramount to ensure successful implementation of the Strategy Action Plan.

Project 2: Strengthening training capacities

As part of previous BOMCA phases, training centres of border agencies have been refurbished or constructed. The current phase is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of the directors of training centres and staff. Regional and national "Training-of-Trainers" courses are being conducted in Dushanbe, along with skills training courses for new trainers. These newly trained trainers participate in the national training seminars. The Training Centre in Dushanbe for Officer Cadets of the Tajik Border Force is the main institution in Tajikistan for curriculum development and education for future border officers. The Institution is open to future cooperation with BOMCA and other partners.

Within the BOMCA Programme beneficiaries receive training for Dog Handlers on a regional level. Each graduate is provided with a special outfit, a German shepherd dog, dog equipment and training materials. Upon successful completion of the course students are awarded with the qualification of certified Dog Handler, and take their trained dogs to serve at the border crossing points of their countries.

Trainees are now deployed at BCPs and airports throughout the country. Additional support for the dog teams has included provision of dog food for one year, vehicles and associated equipment. All detection dogs undergo veterinary inspection and their handlers are re-trained. Additionally, to improve the effectiveness of the Border Forces, its own dog handling service will be established and maintained with the support of a specialist from Almaty.

The Multi-Agency Dog Training Centre is under construction in Dushanbe. This subproject implemented by BOMCA promotes the interagency approach to needs of the Drug Control Agency and other law enforcement agencies in development dog handling capacities.

Project 3: Strengthening Infrastructure Capacities Along Trade and Transit Corridors in Central Asia

To strengthen infrastructure along trade corridors, BOMCA provides support to improvement of the existing facilities of both Border Force and Customs Committee. Construction work has been completed at three international markets adjacent to BCPs on the Tajik-Afghan border. These markets open on Saturdays and can attract between 350 and 1,000 Afghans who cross the border to buy or sell basic foodstuffs, clothing, utensils, timber and construction materials. These markets have been upgraded with additional covered sheds, clean water and basic sanitary facilities.

Moreover, BOMCA supports the country in the development of some strategic border crossings in the north of the country: The international BCP Patar, located in Fergana Valley, on the route Dushanbe-Khujand-Kokand-Osh (the Western Trade and Transit Corridor) is a good site for construction of a modern BCP using "the single window approach". Additionally, BOMCA has furnished BCPs Patar and Fotekhobod with specialised equipment including endoscopes and X-Ray machines, passport readers and document authentic systems, as well as computer equipment.

In this context, more than eight hundred Border Force and Customs Officers received basic training in border control, profiling and search techniques, human rights and asylum rights, basic computer skills and language script recognition. Vehicles, HF radios, generators, drug detecting kits, and IT equipment were provided to the Border Force and Customs. Trained drug detecting dogs and handlers were provided, and training on the use of intelligence sharing software, and basic counter narcotics techniques were also provided for personnel. Study tours were arranged for senior personnel to learn about border management in the European Union.

Project 4: Strengthening counter-drug capacities at borders

Drug Profiling Units (DPUs) have been established in all the countries in the Central Asian region in order to search for drugs and explosives, to apprehend suspected drug traffickers and to collate and analyse information on illegal drug trafficking,.

In Tajikistan, the DPU offices at Khujand and Kulyab airports as well as at Khoshadi, Nau, Proletarsk and Pakhtaabad railway stations have been opened. For these, BOMCA refurbished the relevant facilities and equipped them with the necessary specialist and office equipment. With the involvement of international experts, a number of training sessions were carried out for the staff of BCPs and DPUs.

Project 5: Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border

Due to concerns with border security following the rapid withdrawal of the Russian contingent, and in response to an appeal by the Tajik Government for assistance, the BOMCA Programme in Tajikistan has included projects on the border with Afghanistan.

At the occasion of an international Ministerial Conference held in Dushanbe in October 2008, the President of Tajikistan underlined the importance of the Tajik-Afghan border protection. In response to this request, renovation works of border outposts at Shidz, Pastkhuf, Sokhcharv and Dashty Yazgulam (located in the Gorno-Badakhsan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO)) were completed by BOMCA in 2009. Additionally, the border outpost at Nulvand is being upgraded during 2010.

The BOMCA Programme in Tajikistan is mirrored by a 'sister' project in Afghanistan known as BOMBAF, which was set up by the European Commission in late 2006, to reinforce the border control capacity of Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan. BOMBAF activities duplicate those already undertaken in Tajikistan, such as the provision of infrastructure, equipment and training.

III. Coordination

A technical-level Border International Group (BIG), regularly meeting every month, was established in 2005 in order to improve donor cooperation and to avoid duplication of efforts in Tajikistan. BIG members include local embassies and all the donors involved in the provision of assistance for border management and the counteraction of drugs trafficking. The BOMCA country team organises the BIG meetings and provides the secretariat functions

Regular meetings with the beneficiaries: Bi-annual Steering Committee Meetings are a useful vehicle for Tajikistan to indicate and outline their priorities. Programme implementation is planned according to the decisions made by these committees.

The Central Asia Border Security Initiative (CABSI) conference is a coordination platform for all stakeholders in the areas of border management and drug control in Central Asia, while its objectives have been developed further to promote a comprehensive and sustainable integrated border management approach in the region. CABSI meetings take place once a year in Central Asia to discuss current border management and security activities and possible future cooperation.

IV. Major BOMCA activities in Tajikistan during 2010

• New facilities at three international border crossing points (BCPs) on the Tajik-Afghan border in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO). These include fully equipped buildings for all the agencies responsible for border management and accommodation with showers, toilets, kitchens and dining rooms. The equipment provided included X-ray machines, generators, computers, passport- readers, office furniture, drug and drug precursor detection kits, vehicle search kits, kitchen equipment, beds and lockers;
• Construction of a fully equipped training centre in Dushanbe for Officer Cadets of the Tajik Border Force including residential accommodation for 300 cadets, offices, classrooms and a resource centre;
• Renovation of Border Force Headquarters in Dushanbe including re-roofing and refurbishment of all the offices on the top floor;
• Training of drug and explosive detection dogs and 30 Tajik dog handlers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan;
• Provision of vehicles and HF radios to increase the mobility and effectiveness of the border force units responsible for preventing illegal cross border movements between the BCPs, together with generators and other equipment to improve living conditions at a number of Border Outposts in GBAO;
• 5 regional "Training of Trainers" courses provided for 29 Tajik officers;
• Training sessions provided for 797 Tajik border guards;
• A new BCP Patar on the Tajik-Uzbek border is under construction and will be fully equipped;
• Renovation of 5 border outposts (BOs) in Shidz, Pastkhuf, Sokhcharv, Dashty Yazgulam and Nulvand, These BOs will be fully equipped with hardware, furniture and kitchen equipment; provision of water supply system at Dashty Yazgulam Border Outpost;
• Assistance with water system renovation at the Border Guards College in Dushanbe;
• Construction of the Multi-Agency Dog Centre in Dushanbe;
• National Dog Handlers' Refreshment Training Sessions attended by 45 officers;
• 7 study tours arranged to the EU countries for senior border managers to learn the European best-practices in border management. Two latest study tours were arranged to the EU training institution in Luebeck, Germany, in April 2010; and to the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the EU External Borders (FRONTEX) to Warsaw, Poland, in May 2010;
• A training work plan on IBM prepared with the support of ICMPD (International Centre for Migration Policy Development) technical experts;
• IBM workshops and 2 conferences organised by ICMPD attended by 10 Tajik law enforcement officers;
• Monthly donor coordination meetings ("BIG") hosted.

Training, equipment and infrastructure investments under BOMCA Programme in Tajikistan for 2004-2010