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Security Sector Reform
In many of the conflict zones where International Alert works, the
security sector (armed forces, police and intelligence services) is a key
obstacle to building lasting peace. If security agents do not play a legitimate
and accountable role in providing security for citizens then not only are they
unable to prevent conflicts occurring but they can also be a source of
violence.
Reform of the security sector is a vital part of post-conflict
reconstruction. Without guaranteed security for civilians, efforts to disarm
communities will not succeed, as people are unlikely to surrender their weapons
if they feel unsafe, refugees and internally displaced people will not return
to their homes and the likelihood of investment in the economy by businesses is
slim. Security sector reform aims to make the security sector a positive force
for reducing conflict and building a stable environment. This requires:
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Effective and legitimate use of resources
- Enhancing the role of civil society as monitors and independent
overseers
Encouraging civilian involvement in security sector
reform
We have been working on the issue of security
sector reform (SSR) since 2000. All too often, it is seen as a purely technical
issue, and is based around training for security professionals and those
working at the political and decision-making level. Whilst this training is
important, it is also vital that security sector reform involves the local
community so that they accept it, so that it reflects their needs and so that
they can play a role in overseeing that it works.
We are currently working to build the capacity of civil society to
become more involved in SSR:
- Supporting research by local partners in order to provide
accurate data on security issues (e.g. gauging opinions of the security
situation at the grassroots level, assessing priorities and needs of ordinary
people)
- Providing practical training and support for civilians so that
they can oversee the process of reforming the security sector in their
countries. This includes human rights NGOs, journalists, academics and
parliamentarians.
This work is taking place in the
African Great Lakes,
Nepal and the
Philippines.
Privatisation of security
The privatisation of security is a neglected part of security sector reform
because traditionally, reform has been focused on the police, military and
intelligence services as they are controlled by the state. However, over the
past decade there has been a surge in the privatisation of security. Private
security companies provide ‘police-type’ security, such as guarding
banks or other buildings. Private military companies offer military services
(although usually not direct combat) such as training, equipment, logistics and
strategic advice. In many countries, for example, most recently in Iraq,
private military and security companies are a significant part of the security
sector. However, they are often not regulated so there are few controls on
where and how they operate, increasing the likelihood of human rights abuses.
We work on this issue in a number of ways:
- Promoting state and international regulation of private
security companies and private military companies
- Promoting greater awareness of the issues amongst those who
employ these companies, such as humanitarian organisations
- Assessing the extent to which the privatisation of security
impacts on the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons
Working with Saferworld and the UNDP/Stability Pact South Eastern
Europe Small Arms Clearinghouse (SEESAC) International Alert recently completed
a survey of the implications of the privatisation of security in South Eastern
Europe. The study concentrates on the ramifications that private security
companies have on SSR processes and SALW proliferation in the region. This
report covers all eight countries covered by the Stability Pact and examines
separately the three entities within the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro. The
report can be downloaded from the SEESAC Website.
For more information
contact Peter Albrecht
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Last updated: February 2006
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