Security sector reform
The security sector is a broad term that includes, among other actors, the police, military and border guards. To prevent militarisation while responding to countries’ security needs and building public trust, it is important that the security sector is subject to civilian control and democratic governance.
The security and rights of all individuals must be guaranteed. In many countries, people see security actors as a threat rather than as a provider of security.
Democratic governance of the security sector means that actors like the police, military and border guards are subject to civilian control and oversight, and that they operate transparently in accordance with the rule of law. Civilian governance of the security sector can be crucial to ensuring that necessary reforms contribute to maintaining peaceful societies.
For this to be possible, public authorities and other societal institutions must be able to provide political and strategic direction and exercise oversight. They must also have the capacity to make decisions and coordinate activities, while ensuring civil society’s right to scrutinise security-related issues and activities.
The aim is to ensure that the police, military and other security actors protect every citizen’s right to security without discrimination, while strengthening public trust in the security sector.