The International Network of Independent Oversight Authorities (IPCAN) adopted a joint declaration in May 2023 in Strasbourg, which was signed by EU member states, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland.

According to the Special Investigation Service, the joint declaration signed by the representatives of the IPCAN’s 16 member countries will address the protection of citizens’ rights, effective supervision, and crime prevention during the implementation of police measures in various countries, as well as the importance of de-escalation and negotiation during demonstrations.

The Strasbourg Declaration “On the Use of Force by Police” urges IPCAN member countries to use proportional force only when necessary when carrying out police actions. The declaration contains 20 recommendations regarding the management of public demonstrations by police forces and policing as a whole. The recommendations govern the identification of demonstrators with respect for individual freedoms and compliance with ethical rules, the strict observance of the rules of law on searches and inspections during police operations, the consideration of the best interests of the child when identifying minors among demonstrators, and the improvement of the methods of identification of law enforcement officers involved in the management of demonstrations.

“We would like to remind the public that the Special Investigation Service became an official member of the international network of independent bodies reviewing complaints against the police in May 2023, after meeting all membership criteria, one year after its launch,” the Special Investigation Service notes.