Ukraine

Democratic Security Sector Governance

                                                                 

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Defence forces are often the most well-known security sector component. As with other security providers, the aim of defence forces is to supply security as a public good. Defence is provided by the armed forces and military personnel to the people. In open conflicts, the defence sector responds to an external aggression, or other coercive threats against a nation or its territory. In the current international setting, defence plays more of a deterrence role. The word “defence” can also be used to describe armed forces and military personnel as a section of the broader security sector. The word may, similarly, refer simply to defence policy in general.

Armed forces are institutions established by the state for the primary purpose of national defence against external threats and internal conflicts. They may be professional, conscription-based, or include a combination of professional uniformed staff, professional civilian staff, and/or uniformed non-professional conscripts. In some instances, other professional security forces may be called upon to assist the regular military forces. The specific composition of the armed forces depends on their legal definition in each country. The armed forces must be under democratic civilian control and the rule of law. They must protect and respect human rights.[1]

Defence policy is a formal description of how defence and security ought to be provided. A defence policy is usually based on a country’s constitution and other legislative tools and is country-specific. Defence policy typically covers the main guiding principles of defence and security provision; national values; national interests; strategic goals; strategic environment; as well as threats, risks, and challenges for national security.[2]

Some countries do not have one national security policy document but a series of national security policy documents, such as White Papers on Defence, speeches of the authorities, and other related papers. National security policy should incorporate, or give place to, the development of national security and defence strategies. The latter identify the formal methods that will be used to attain security and defence objectives described by national security policy.[3]

Resources

DCAF (2015), The Armed Forces. SSR Backgrounder.

UN SSR Task Force (2012), Security Sector Reform.  Integrated Technical Guidance Notes

DCAF (2008), National Security Policy Backgrounder.

 

[1] DCAF (2015), The Armed Forces. SSR Backgrounder.

[2] UN SSR Task Force (2012), Security Sector Reform.  Integrated Technical Guidance Notes; DCAF (2008), National Security Policy Backgrounder.

[3] United Nations SSR task force, Security Sector Reform.  Integrated Technical Guidance Notes. 2012. p 122-125.

Research Project on Reserve System Practices

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Integrating a Gender Perspective into Internal Oversight within Armed Forces

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Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces: A Handbook

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Defence Institution Building Self-Assessment Kit: A Diagnostic Tool for Nations Building Defence Institutions

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Security Sector Reform in Ukraine: Quo Vadis?

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Integrity Self-Assessment Process: A Diagnostic Tool for National Defence Establishments

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Report on the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces

The Report focuses not only on the subordination of armed forces to democratically elected political authorities, but also to the legal standards and to the principles of democracy set out by them, which are to be enforced by the competent organ or aut … read more

Handbook on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Armed Forces Personnel

The Handbook is the product of a research project initiated in January 2005 by DCAF in cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Rather than examining the external aspects of the issue, such as the conduct o … read more

Defence Institution Building Sourcebook in Support of the Partnership Action Plan on DIB: What Kind of Defence Do We Need?

This book aims to be a sourcebook on ‘defence institution building’, drawing on established practices in Western Europe, but also on recent experiences from among new NATO members. All contributions focus on ongoing defence reform. The chapters in this … read more

Defence Institution Building (Conference Papers)

Papers presented at the Conference on 2005 Partnership Action Plan on Defence Institutions Building (PAP-DIB) Regional Conference for the Caucasus and Republic of Moldova, held in Tbilisi, 25 April 2005.

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