Security sector governance refers to the process by which accountable security institutions transparently supply security as a public good via transparent policies and practices.  Accountability of security institutions is affected by democratic oversight performed by a range of stakeholders including democratic institutions, government, civil society, and the media. Security sector reform is the process by which security institutions are subordinated to oversight mechanisms, vetting, and lustration in order to deliver transparent and accountable public services as a public good. Security sector governance reinforces the rule of law.

Democratic Governance and Oversight of the Security Sector

Democratic governance of the security sector comprises the active performance of individual and cooperative oversight functions by:

• Democratic Institutions
• Independent Oversight Institutions / Ombuds Institutions
• Civil Society
• Media
• Executive
• Government
• Security Sector Institutions

Credible oversight and management of the security sector remains vital in order to ensure democratic and economic development. The overall rationale for ensuring substantive democratic governance of the security sector is to:

• Enhance citizens’ safety and public security;
• Strengthen security provision;
• Enable democratic institutions to monitor and amend security sector policies and practices and ensure compliance with international standards;
• Embed transparency and accountability mechanisms across the security sector;
• Encourage the development and maintenance of a democratic culture rooted in respect for the rule of law and human rights within security institutions;
• Provide effective checks and balances to ensure that security sector actors cannot commit abuses or human rights violations;
• Manage the security sector cost-effectively in order to avoid a financially resource-heavy security sector; and reduce the possibilities for corruption;
• Manage human and financial resources effectively, including effective disciplinary measures and career management structures, and encourage professionalism and respect for authority among security sector officials;
• Promote the security sector as representative institutions of the society at large, ensuring equitable participation of women, and minorities.

Democratic governance of the security sector must ensure that security agencies and their staff meet expected standards of performance and behaviour as defined through laws, policies, practices and relevant social and cultural norms. These principles apply not only at management level, but also that of the individual staff member. In particular, security institutions should:

• Prevent abuses of power and authority (by security actors themselves or by other interest groups);
• Use resources appropriately and effectively through appropriate budgetary management;
• Be as transparent as possible, making appropriate information available to other government agencies, oversight bodies and the general public;
• Uphold human rights both by preventing abuses within the security sector itself and by preventing and investigating abuses in society as a whole;
• Address the security needs of all people for whom they are responsible, regardless of sex, ethnicity, religion, age, or income.

Effective governance of the security sector is based on sustaining security institutions that are:

• Governed internally and externally by a legal and institutional framework;
• Accountable to the authorities and to the population;
• Transparently managed according to codified standards and practices;
• Based on, and responsive to, people’s needs;
• Based on fair and equitable representation.

Resources

UN SSR Guidance Note on Democratic Governance of the Security Sector

DCAF Security Sector Reform Backgrounder

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