New national platform fosters inclusive dialogue on democratic oversight of security sector in Armenia

At the invitation of the Standing Committee on Defence and Security of the Armenian National Assembly, some 50 representatives from oversight and government bodies, security sector institutions and civil society organizations gathered in Yerevan on 27 February 2020 to inaugurate the new national multi-stakeholder platform on democratic security sector oversight. 

Under the lead of the National Assembly, the platform enhances democratic-civilian oversight of the security sector in Armenia as a pivotal tool in building public confidence towards security institutions. As an advisory body to the Standing Committee on Defence and Security, the platform raises awareness and fosters acceptance of democratic oversight concepts, principles and mechanisms, contributes to policy development and implementation, and strengthens the capacities of all actors involved in the platform in carrying out effective control and oversight of the security sector.

“The idea of creating a multi-stakeholder platform for democratic security sector oversight is both innovative and promising,” said Rudolf Michalka, Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the South Caucasus. “If used genuinely, it can certainly contribute to a shared understanding, foster mutual trust, and enhance collaborations.”

“After the velvet revolution in Armenia we are not intimidated to speak openly about the issues we have in the security sector and we are trying to find efficient ways to solve them with the engagement of multiple stakeholders,” said Andranik Kocharyan, Chair of the Standing Committee on Defence and Security of the Armenian National Assembly. “By bringing together civil society, parliamentarians, and public service providers in one area, the platform will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of both civil and parliamentary oversight by providing comprehensive and demanding security reforms.”

Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the National Security Council, said: “We are convinced that democracy is indispensable for security in Armenia. Democracy building is an important component of security. Collaborative efforts of civil society, legislative and executive branches will help enhance security.”

Kristine Poghosyan, Member of the Standing Committee on Defence and Security, highlighted that the platform will promote dialogue between the security sector and civil society, advance security sector governance and reform, and foster public understanding of oversight principles and mechanisms.

Founder and President of the Peace Dialogue NGO, Edgar Khachatryan welcomed the platform as “unique opportunity to bring forward the issues of civil society organizations in a more constructive way.”

Jennifer Croft, Acting Head of Human Rights Department of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) underlined that “the strength of this platform lies in the diversity of its membership and the rich perspectives and experiences those members bring. The priorities that have been identified are all areas where ODIHR regularly provides support to OSCE participating States.”

Strengthening security sector governance and reform is an area in which the OSCE has a long history of successfully supporting participating States.

The OSCE Secretariat together with ODIHR will provide policy and capacity-building support to the new platform as part of the extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Security Sector Governance in the Republic of Armenia”.  With the generous support of Germany and Norway, this project supports ongoing reforms in the security sector as one of the priority areas agreed with the Armenian authorities as part of the OSCE’s Armenia Co-operation Programme.