THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY SECTOR ADVISORY TEAM (ISSAT)

What is SSR?

SSR has many manifestations and variants, but its key propositions can be reduced to three. One is the need to take a holistic approach to the understanding of the actors and factors involved in security, justice, development and governance. This implies not just those actors that carry out the provision of security (i.e. the military, police, intelligence, border control), but also those actors that oversee and manage the security and justice systems (i.e. parliament, ministries, civil society, etc.) A second proposition is that security must be delivered professionally, efficiently and at a reasonable cost, one that is commensurate with a country’s resources. A third is that the security forces as well as the ministries that manage and direct them need to be subject to democratic control and oversight. This is essential if they are to be accountable, transparent, representative and responsive - and in consequence to enjoy the confidence of the population, whose security should be their foremost concern.

Further, convergence has developed around the definition of SSR put forward by the UN Secretary-General Report on SSR:

“Security sector reform describes a process of assessment, review and implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation led by national authorities that has as its goal the enhancement of effective and accountable security for the State and its peoples without discrimination and with full respect for human rights and the rule of law”.

For some key information on SSR, the rationale behind such process, its nature, importance and entries points, please click on the link below to download the document below

SSR in a nutshell (link here)

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© 2008, International Security System Advisory Team (ISSAT)