Why is parliamentary oversight of the security sector necessary? What is the role of parliament and how is it best performed? This handbook by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) provides a comprehensive picture of current security issues and deals exhaustively with all aspects of parliamentary oversight of the security sector.
Concrete recommendations for parliamentarians are made on each aspect covered.The handbook provides a theoretical and analytical framework for parliamentary oversight. It describes the national security policy cycle, examines the functions and specifics of each security service and the tools and instruments that parliaments can use for oversight. Resources related to the sector are analysed in terms of budget, personnel and material resources, with implications for parliamentary involvement and oversight. Significant for international development agencies is an analysis of states of emergency, terrorism, cyber-crime and the implications of participating in international peace support. Among the many important points emphasising the need for parliamentary oversight raised, some of the most critical are:
- National security policy affects people’s lives, welfare, and values so should not be left to the judgement of the military or the executive alone.
- The national security policy has major financial consequences and is therefore about tax payers’ money.
- Security measures can restrict citizens’ freedom and liberties, having major consequences for democracy.
A national security policy is developed within the framework of regional and international regulations to which the state is party. It is therefore affected by external factors, pressures and commitments and not only based on perceived national security needs and priorities. Parliament should question and ensure the policy’s relevance in the light of current circumstances. Donors can assist development of a coherent security policy by:
- Providing training courses and seminars to build Parliamentary capacity.
- Helping Parliaments to ensure logical links between national security policy, operational doctrines, defence plans and budget demands.
- Helping Parliaments to legislate on developing, decision-making, implementing, and evaluating the policy. Parliament’s role should be defined in all four phases of the cycle.
- Supporting civil society institutions such as think-tanks, academia, human rights NGOs, and policy-focussed issue NGOs and their participation in public debate on security policy and issues.
- Supporting and strengthening independent media. Democratic oversight is only effective if the public is aware of major issues open to debate by Parliament.
- Sensitising Parliament to the need for gender mainstreaming in the security sector. Security policy needs to address gender sensitive issues, and women should be encouraged to participate in policy formation and implementation.
