The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an intergovernmental organization comprised of 57 participating States. According to the OSCE factsheet, it constitutes a forum for political dialogue on a wide range of security issues and a platform for joint action to improve the lives of individuals and communities. Its approach to security encompasses the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions. The OSCE helps bridge differences and build trust between states by co-operating on conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. OSCE addresses arms control, terrorism, good governance, energy security, human trafficking, democratization, media freedom and national minorities’ issues.

What does OSCE do for SSR?

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is currently engaged in activities addressing various aspects of security sector reform (SSR). The OSCE’s pioneering Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Relations set the agenda for the good governance of the security sector. The growth of OSCE involvement and interest in SSR ultimately led to the OSCE publication of the Security Sector Governance and Reform Guidelines for OSCE staff.

Adopted in 1994 as a politically-binding instrument, the ‘OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security’ remains the main OSCE statement on SSR. The code not only calls for the democratic control of the military but other security forces including paramilitary, police and intelligence services too. The democratic control of the security sector is thus considered to be an essential element for stability and security.

What does OSCE do for SSR in Ukraine?

According to a recent mapping study conducted by Folke Bernadotte Academy, the OSCE currently has 34 projects related to security sector reform underway in Ukraine. These projects fall under the following areas of work:

• Anti-Corruption and Accountability
• Democracy and Human Rights
• Gender
• Parliamentary and Public Oversight
• Border Security and Human Trafficking
• DDR, SALW and Demining
• Justice Reform
• Capacity-building

Most of these projects are driven by the OSCE Project-Coordinator in Ukraine (OSCE-PCU). OSCE-PCU handles the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects involving the OSCE, and its institutions and the relevant Ukrainian authorities. The main areas of its work involve democratization and good governance, rule of law and human rights, and a cross-dimensional programme comprising economic, environmental, and politico-military aspects of security.^[1]

Sources:

David M. Law (ed.), DCAF (2007), Intergovernmental Organisations and their Role in Security Sector Reform

Måns Hanssen (Folke Bernadotte Academy 2016), International Support to Security Sector Reform in Ukraine. A mapping study of SSR projects.

OSCE-PCU Factsheet, available here.

[1] Source: OSCE-PCU Factsheet, available here.